DUNOON-BASED SHEARWATER Marine Services Ltd has been selected for a prestigious industry support initiative that aims to strengthen the role of coastal businesses in the offshore renewable energy sector.
The company, which provides commercial diving and marine services, is one of just 12 businesses across the country — and one of four from Argyll and Bute — chosen for the Fit for Offshore Renewables (F4OR) Islands & Coastal Communities programme.
Developed by the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult in collaboration with major offshore wind developers such as ScottishPower Renewables’ MachairWind project, the programme offers intensive, tailored support to help businesses break into the fast- growing offshore wind supply chain.
The other three companies selected from the local region were MacLeod Construction Ltd from Lochgilphead, Ocean Ecology Ltd and SAMS Enterprise both from Oban.
Tom Brannan, Director of Shearwater Marine Services, welcomed the opportunity, he explained: “We are delighted to have been successful in securing a place on this exciting programme. Shearwater is undergoing a period of sustained growth in the commercial and defence sectors and the Fit for Offshore Renewables programme will also allow us to increase our capability and grow our presence in the offshorewindsector.Welook forward to working with ORE
Catapult on this challenging and exciting programme.”
The 18-month programme will provide Shearwater with expert guidance to help scale up its operations and tap into the growing opportunities presented by Scotland’s transition to clean energy. The initiative is particularly focused on supporting island and coastal enterprises with potential to contribute to projects like MachairWind, located off the west coast.
Kiera Wilson, Development Lead for MachairWind at ScottishPower Renewables, praised Shearwater and other selected firms.
She said: “This is a brilliant chance for them to get bespoke business support to help them make the most of the opportunities presented by offshore wind projects not just in the region, but potentially on the global stage.”
