Stevenson Welcomes Progress on New Dredger

Banffshire & Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson has welcomed progress on the new dredger for Moray Council, being built in Buckie.

Buckie Harbour

The £2.4million vessel is under construction at the Macduff Shipyard Ltd fabrication facility in the Banffshire town.

Work on the 25.7m (90ft) dredger is expected to be completed next spring. It will service the council-owned harbours at Buckie, Burghead, Hopeman, Findochty, Portknockie and Cullen as well as being available for hire.

The vessel is being built as a replacement for the Shearwater, which the council sold two years ago after many years of service. The new dredger, which was designed by Macduff Ship Design Ltd, will be capable of dredging to a depth of 8m (27ft) with its bow-mounted excavator.

Commenting, Stewart Stevenson said:

“It’s good to hear that work on the new dredger is progressing and – very importantly – that the work went to a local Banffshire firm who have an excellent track record and reputation, thus supporting the local economy and maintaining jobs in Buckie.”