Atlanfish Launches its New €3.1 million Environmentally-Friendly Mussel Dredger in Greencastle, Co. Donegal |
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| Atlanfish
Ltd. today (Monday 13 June 2005) launched their new 40-metre mussel
dredger. The mv Rona, built at a cost of €3.1 million, is the first
of a new generation of environmentally friendly mussel harvesting,
husbanding and dredging vessels specifically built for Irish sea-going
conditions.
Built in Holland, the vessel cost €3.1 million and received State and EU grant assistance of €1.26 million. The vessel is equipped to the highest modern standards and represents a new environmental, safety and quality benchmark for the industry. The mv Rona was designed to comply with new regulations from the Marine Safety Office and will ensure worker safety and comfort when operating in open Irish sea conditions. Speaking at the launch, BIM’s Chairman, Hugh Byrne said, “I am delighted to be here to welcome, on behalf of BIM, this state-of-the-art vessel, that represents so well, the future picture of the Irish mussel industry. My hope for the future is that from plankton to plate, as much of the activity as possible in the mussel farming industry is kept around the coasts of Ireland and that it will continue to provide vital employment and wealth creation in many of Ireland’s coastal communities”. The mv Rona will strengthen the Atlanfish raw material supply base and its ability to compete on global markets for added-value shellfish products.
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