The 152m ship is owned by Mercy Ship, an international charity that aims to deliver food, life changing operations and long-term sustainable change to third world and disaster torn countries. It is currently undergoing a multi-million pound conversion from a ro-ro vessel to a hospital ship at A&P Tyne.

Commenting on the new contract, Cosalt's national sales manager for fire suppression, Steve Woodward, said it was the largest fire project Cosalt had undertaken. 'Although the job consists of a lot of basic fire system work, there was an awful lot of it. New decks are being installed so we're putting in additional sprinkler systems, installing new fire mains and miles of pipework. It will take about seven months to complete.'

Meanwhile, Cosalt has strengthened its presence in the North East UK marine safety market by purchasing the business activities of specialist marine servicing company ACE Marine. ACE Marine's operations at Derwent Haugh Marina near Gateshead closed at the end of March and its existing life raft hire and other hire agreements were transferred to Cosalt's North Shields branch, which is an RFD-Beaufort approved life raft service station.

In addition to acquiring the company's assets, Cosalt has asked ACE Marine's directors, Ron and Carole McLucas, to join Cosalt and be part of its plans to expand market share in the North East.

MJ Information No: 19729