Sea anchor could lead to sales boom

AN Inverness company specialising in marine engineering, equipment and aquaculture is in discussions with five firms interested in its subsea mooring device.

Gael Force recently delivered its first SeaLimpets to New Jersey-based renewable energy company Ocean Power Technologies (OPT).

OPT commissioned three, 460-tonne SeaLimpets, worth £900,000, for deploying its PowerBuoy wave energy device off the coast of Oregon.

And with other companies also showing interest, Gael Force based in Anderson Street, South Kessock, could be on the verge of a boom in sales, bringing more jobs and recognition to the Highland Capital.

SeaLimpet is a cylindrical concrete structure with in-built chambers which can be flooded or evacuated using compressed air, allowing it to be towed, floated to position and then flooded to sink under controlled conditions.

Because it can secure wind, wave and subsea installations to the seabed with pinpoint accuracy and can be floated into position using ordinary vessels, it avoids the need for heavy ships and cranes, significantly lowering costs whilst reducing operational risk.

Group managing director David Guthrie revealed the five companies now interested are based across the globe, from Singapore to Norway, Shetland to London.

Negotiations centre on supplying multiple SeaLimpets — up to 30 units could be on the cards — which, if successful, would herald a significant step change for the company.

Manufacturing the first three devices meant the Inverness yard increased the workforce to up to 40 employees.

"We are very hopeful that it will produce some future orders," said Mr Guthrie. "We have gone through four out of the five to the point of costings, but the earliest likely date we would be able to start production would be next year.

"If, for instance, we were successful in an order for 30 it would be a whole different ball game for us.

"From Inverness’s point of view it is very positive sign because if we secure contracts it will lead to an increase in employment."

Depending on where the devices are to be used, Gael Force would be faced with a number of options including utilising the company’s city workforce, leasing out facilities for fabrication and sending a team of workers to help while recruiting locally, and producing the devices under licence to a third party.

Mr Guthrie said that even if the company does licence there would still be more jobs created in Inverness.

The initial concept for the SeaLimpet drew on the company’s experience in mooring heavy structures in the aquaculture industry.

Gael Force has expanded since it was first formed in 1985 as a manufacturer of fishing creels and pots and now has three distinct sections — marine engineering, marine equipment and aquaculture. www.gaelforcegroup.com