KEY DEALS

Isle of Man Yard Reborn

20 years ago

The arrival of the vessel Wisting marked a significant turning point for management of the historic Booth W Kelly yard at Ramsey on the Isle of Man, which had been the subject of a management buyout in 2003. The challenging conversion job to turn a functional naval ship into a luxurious private yacht would guarantee employment for workers at the yard for the following two years, during which time the task of developing all areas of the business could continue.

With work on the

Wisting

well underway, another major project started in last September l with the construction by local company Parkinson Limited of a huge new hangar style workshop which would replace the ageing stone structure and extend facilities for the company’s range of engineering activities. The construction project was funded by the DTI, which owns the site and leases it back to the company The workshop is now almost fully online and the conversion and refit work on the

Wisting

is on schedule for completion around Easter next year. The task of fitting out the vessel is progressing well. A new computer designed superstructure has been added to the hull, and the rear of the ship has been completely re-shaped with a new section welded on.

The completion of the Wisting project will mark an end to an important transitional phase for the yard. ‘We are hopeful that it will prove the catalyst for more conversion and refit work in the years ahead,’ said managing director Chris Baker

The yard is also actively tendering for a number of newbuild projects. Negotiations are taking place with a view to building two 10m scallop dredgers, one for a local customer and another for a client in Scotland. Talks over the possible construction of a 15m scallop boat are also at a fairly advanced stage.

Bringing in regular year round projects is key to the yard’s medium term future. The staff has risen from 13 to 26 (including a number of part time personnel) over the past two years. Within its superb new workshop complex, Booth W Kelly now has a full range of engineering capabilities. From the maintenance of heavy vehicles for local contractors and clients such as Ramsey Commissioners, to the ongoing engineering maintenance of the Laxey Wheel for Manx National Heritage, the company is becoming increasingly busy. A new push rod for the ‘Lady Isabella’ was fabricated at the yard last year. Maintenance and repair contracts form another important part of the yard’s business activities.

MJ Information No: 22424