Holyhead boatbuilder creates 25 new jobs
A boat builder is creating 25 new jobs in Holyhead, thanks to orders from the wind energy and defence industries.
Holyhead Marine Services is expanding its workforce over the next 18 months.
Work includes a new craft to ferry technicians to off-shore wind developments and new patrol boats for the Ministry of Defence.
The company, which is taking on skilled workers, is extending with three extra vessel bays in a new boat-building unit.
"The expansion of our sister company Turbine Transfers into the wind turbine industry means we'll be building a new ship for them and so need more space," said Nick York, managing director of Holyhead Marine Services.
"We will be looking for skilled workers such as aluminium fabricators, marine engineers, electricians and shipwrights."
The three extra vessel bays in the new boat-building unit means the company will no longer have to turn away business due to lack of room at their Newry beach site.
"Space has always been an issue for us," explained Nick.
"Not only for the wind turbine vessels, but for the other projects we're working on.
"We're currently working on a 15m patrol boat for the Ministry of Defence which will be ready by next month, and we'll start on another straight after that."
He confirmed that the company have long-term contracts with the MOD which will keep them busy for the next few years.
They also carry out maintenance work on RNLI boats and other commercial vessels.
Town councillor Cliff Everett, a member of the Holyhead regeneration committee, said he was delighted to here the news.
He added: "It's fantastic for Holyhead. Hopefully, they'll be able to recruit locally, which is the important issue; that you create jobs and there are people locally with the necessary skills to apply.
"There are potentially going to be more off-shore wind turbines built off Anglesey which all bodes well for more new jobs in the future."
"We have also been told that there is interest in the Anglesey Aluminium site from the renewable energies market. If that was to come off that would be even better news."
Holyhead Marine Services say the new vessel bays will be ready by the middle of this year.