SMS Delivers Workboat to Maltese Tuna Farmer

U.K. shipbuilder SMS Group reports it has delivered a newbuild aquaculture vessel to a Tuna farm operator in Malta.

The new vessel, Emmaya, has 24m LOA, 8.5m beam and a 3m draft, and it is built to the MCA-MGN-280-Catergory 1 (150nm from safe haven) workboat code. Designed by Walker Marine Design, the workboat will provide tuna harvesting and aquaculture/fish farm logistical and maintenance support services.

David Azzopardi, Director of Fish and Fish Ltd, said, “This represents a major investment for Fish and Fish Ltd, and it illustrates not only the strength of our business but also our belief in the environmental sustainability of the aquaculture industry here in Malta.”

Coronavirus challenges
SMS said the vessel was completed and delivered despite challenges presented by the COVID-9 pandemic. 

The Southampton, U.K. company said it has changed the way that it works since the onset of the pandemic, with new, frequently updated risk assessments and method statements, as well as increased on and off-site hygiene and sanitation. It is also enforcing social-distancing across all working environments and following the advice of the Government, the World Health Organization, Public Health England and the National Health Service.

Newbuild on the agenda
SMS performs both newbuild and repair, but repair has been its specialty. 

“As a business our focus clearly remains on ship repair, however this build helps to illustrate both our capabilities and our expertise,” said Dave Chaffers, the General Manager of SMS in Southampton. “We’re currently exploring two further newbuild workboats and several major pontoon projects. As we look forward to a return to the new norm bespoke marine fabrication is very much on our agenda.”

Emmaya
Workboat Code: MCA-MGN-280-Catergory 1 (150nm from safe haven)
Length Overall: 24.45 meters
Length Waterline: 24 meters
Load Line Length: 22.8 meters
Maximum Draft: 2.87 meters
Breadth: 8.5 meters
Fire suppression: Engine Room - Fixed
Main Engines: Caterpillar Acert 18 600bhp 448kw 1800rpm
Gear Box: ZF 560W (inline)
Bow Thruster: 1 x Veth VT-50
Propulsion: Twin 4 Blade FFP
Generators: 2 x Caterpillar Acert 7.1 148 KVA
Cranes:  2 x Palfinger PK32002M (CPO73)
Hydraulic System: Engine driven hydraulic pump, 4 x independent electrical pumps