Dales Marine brings Leith drydock back to life

Marine Scotland’s fishery research vessel, Scotia, managed by Marr Vessel Management, entered the Imperial Dock in mid-March for annual dry-docking, including engine overhauls, paintwork, and general maintenance over a 10-day period before undergoing sea trials and then mobilisation in Aberdeen.

The Scotia was followed by Sartor Offshore’s standby ship Ocean Searcher for extensive steelwork repairs, davit overhauls, wash and paint, and propulsion checks, and by the Gulf Offshore platform supply vessel Volstad Viking on her first docking for surveys, propulsion checks, wash and paint, and general upgrades.

Future booking include a barge and another oil-related vessel, with a flow of enquiries reported by the yard, including general dockings and conversion projects. Because of the lay-down areas and availability of berths, the offshore industry is said to be looking at the facility for possible mobilisation of dive support vessels.

Michael Milne, director and general manager, said: “The new lease of life and the positive start to operations are a great way to mark the centenary of the dock built in 1910. The length and depth of the facility, along with the availability of lay-by berths, means we can increase the size and range of vessels handled, with the facility also complementing operations at our dry dock in Aberdeen.”

Dales Marine has invested around £250,000 in upgrades and overhaul, including refurbishing the gates, a new sealing arrangement, piling to form a coffer dam, replacing all wood on the keel blocks, fabricating new, adjustable steel shores and removing around 3,000 tonnes of silt. The 168m x 21.3m x 7.7m Imperial Dock can take two vessels simultaneously and the facility incorporates a workshop and offices.

With 26 vessels booked into the Aberdeen dry dock by 11 operators so far for this year, 65% of annual capacity there is accounted for.