A new scalloper built for James Monaghan of Islay Crab Exports based on the Scottish Isle of Islay, enjoyed a traditional maritime naming ceremony where Atlantic Dawn was blessed by Father Michael Gobbett and named by James’ daughter Kayleigh.
Following completion at delivery by Parkol Marine Engineering’s new Middlesbrough yard, Atlantic Dawn was scheduled to undergo sea trials before starting fishing in the English Channel for the rest of the year, before joining the rest of the Islay Crab Exports fleet operating in the Irish Sea after Christmas.
The Parkol yard has been active in Whitby since 1971 and has built up a reputation as one of the leading yards building fishing vessels in the UK. The company expanded to a new yard in Middlesbrough in October 2017 to keep up with the increasing demand for new tailor-made fishing vessels.
Atlantic Dawn is the first project to be completed at the new fabrication facility, which boasts the capability for keel to mast construction and fit-out entirely under cover, a rarity in the UK.
“This is the first time we’ve worked with James and we were thrilled to win the order,” said Parkol director and project manager Sally Atkinson.
“It was a pleasure to build the Atlantic Dawn and we were really pleased to be able to complete it two-and-a-half months ahead of schedule.”
James Monaghan was impressed with Parkol’s service, and commented that if he needs another boat in future, he won’t hesitate to go straight to the same yard again.
“Absolutely everything was A1, I couldn’t have asked for more,” he said.
“The workmanship was fantastic, it’s the best I’ve ever experienced. They are a family-run business and the personal touch was evident every step of the way. The yard is an incredible place, the facilities are just amazing. I’m not planning on building another new boat anytime soon but if I was, Parkol would be my first and only choice.”
Established in 1985, Islay Crab Exports is a family-run business specialising in the supply of high quality and mainly locally caught live velvet, green, spider and brown crabs, winkles and scallop meat throughout Europe.
James Monaghan was looking to add a new, larger boat to his existing fleet that would be able to cope well with the sea and weather conditions that can batter the Scottish islands and coastline.
The 20.30 metre Atlantic Dawn has a 20,000 litre fuel capacity and a 4000 litre fresh water capacity. Its fishroom has capacity for 600 38kg bags and its ice locker can hold three tonnes of ice.
“Fuel efficiency is very important to us as she’s working 24/7 and landing every five or six days. She has a top speed of around 12 knots and we’re confident she will perform brilliantly at sea,” James Monaghan said.
Parkol’s expansion is an important new chapter in the life of the company. The Middlesbrough fabrication hall measures 70 metres by 35 metres by 40m high, with four boat-building berths that can accommodate new builds up to 40 metres long and 10 metre beam. There are also three overhead gantry cranes each with 20-tonne lifting capacity which provides good flexibility for vessel sub-assemblies. Vessels can be built fully undercover up to mast level, fully out-fitted, shot-blasted and painted in the hall ready for load-out and sail away.
“The new yard is already proving a massive asset to the business, the order book is healthy and we’re looking forward to constructing more vessels there in 2019,” Sally Atkinson commented.
