Late July saw mussel farmers Roger and Judy Thwaites of Shian Fisheries in Argyll, Scotland take delivery of the ''Mad Betty'', a custom built Twin -Trak 11/5 mussel farm service craft from Alnmaritec. Named after the owners respective mothers, who were honoured despite the name, the distinctive vessel caused quite a stir as she was transported from East to West coast by road, before taking to the water at Troon. Roger''s first taste of her impressing handling abilities came in the Crinan Canal, at the head of the Kintyre Peninsula, where ''she manoeuvred like a dream!''
Dalton Linkleter, head of design for Alnmaritec, explained that Twin --Trak vessels have become the mainstay of the Scottish mussel farming industry over the past few years. "They have a large working deck area, which gives unparalleled scope for on-board handling and storage during transportation, and benefit from exceptional stability, which is essential for over-side working on mussel farms," he stated.
The 'Mad Betty' is a 12 metre by 5.2 metre, all welded marine aluminium alloy catamaran workboat with a flush deck. It has a high payload/light displacement ratio, draws less than half a metre, and gives excellent speed and manoeuvrability through use of twin engines and waterjet propulsion. Overside lifting capability is provided by a hydraulic Bonfiglioli 7-tonne/m crane, together with custom built davits for working the longlines, and a 2 tonne capstan for mooring and other heavy work.
One month into its service life, the 'Mad Betty' is proving a boon for the Thwaites and their staff, who grow mussels and oysters in Loch Creran. "The vessel has already made a huge difference to our working day and enabled us to simplify mussel harvesting and handling arrangements," said Roger. "The ease with which she can be manoeuvred in and around the mussel lines is highly impressive, and the water jets make it simple to move sideways. Working our new farm two miles further up Loch Creran will be much easier, and more productive," he added.
David Armstrong, General Manager of Alnmaritec, is thrilled that the company's Twin-Trak aluminium vessels have become so popular.
