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A NEW ERA

Silvers Marine purchased by international marine company GSS (Plant) Ltd

 

GSS (Plant) Ltd who were established in Rhu Marina and operated out of there for 25 years acquired Silverhills Boatyard in Rosneath in April 2014.

The Deal includes the buildings, offices, sheds and storage facilities including the yards slipways and moorings along with all plant & equipment.

This will bring to a successful conclusion GSS' nine year search for permanent premises for their international marine support company.
With their HQ in Scotland, GSS also have offices in the Netherlands and Australia.

Their fleet of multi role marine support vessels are currently working in the Dredging Cable Laying and Oil and Gas Sectors from Russia to Australia including Africa and Europe.

GSS currently employ over 150 people in their Charter Fleet, Marine Civil Engineering, Facilities Management and Diving divisions and continue to expand both their staff and fleet of vessels.

In addition to serving as headquarters for GSS' international marine operations and a base for their global fleet of commercial vessels, GSS will retain the iconic and respected Silvers Marine Brand.

Silvers will provide enhanced & extended commercial and leisure marine support facilities including vessel slipping, repairs, maintenance storage and moorings.
Plans are in place to develop the facilities into a centre for excellence for Marine Services.


Silvers Service for Scottish Series (courtesy of Lochside Press)

Silvers Marine has been confirmed as headline sponsors of Scotland’s most prestigious yacht racing regatta.

The new owners of the iconic Scottish Boatyard Silver Hills, Rosneath, have confirmed their support and sponsorship for the 40th Scottish Series Regatta.

The event, organised by the Clyde Cruising Club (CCC), will again be hosted in the picturesque west coast village of Tarbert on Loch Fyne.

Rhu-based GSS Group this month concluded the sale of Silvers Marine.

Managing director Jamie McGarry said: “As a re-launch of the yard and the Silvers brand we are delighted to partner with the CCC in sponsoring the Scottish Series.

“This is particularly exciting given the 40th celebrations this year in Tarbert. Scottish Series is a magnificent event run by the army of volunteers and club officials from the CCC. To be able to support this and indeed participate in the event is tremendously exciting for all at Silvers and GSS.”

The Silvers Marine Scottish Series 2014 will start with a race from Gourock to Tarbert on Friday May 24 scheduled to start at 10am.

This is billed as a spectacular sight with many yachts tussling on the start line including Ocean racers Drum and Clyde Challenger.

The race programme will then include further races on Loch Fyne until Monday May 26 with the Regatta concluding with the prize giving in Tarbert.

 



Jigsaw

The association with the oil giant BP and Silvers Boatyard goes back some years.

In 1946, Silvers Boatyard built 'Tarrad' a 52ft all-teak launch with twin Gardiner diesel engines of 100HP each, giving a speed of 16 knots. This was a personal gift given to the Sheik of Kuwait by BP following the signing of the Kuwait Oil Agreement. The combination of speed and seaworthiness was a requirement for the build of this yacht.

In 2006, Silvers Marine were approached by BP to assist them with a new innovative Support and Rescue System for their North Sea Oil Rigs, code named 'Jigsaw'. This system uses a combination of supply boats and helicopters with each supply boat carrying two ARRCs (Autonomous Rescue and Recovery Craft). ARRCs can reach speeds of up to 30 knots in rough seas.

After a period of initial trials and evaluation, the individual ARRCs (eight in total) required some improvement and modification work to be undertaken.

Silvers' location on the Gareloch did not, in fact, favour us for this Contract as, at that time, the ARRCS were moored in Leith and Aberdeen. What was in our favour, however, was our facilities. At one time, we had four ARRCs undercover and one outside and a workforce with a 'can do' attitude, prepared to turn these boats round with a minimum of delay and an ability to cope with the ever changing demands of a very innovative and complex modification brief.

We have been greatly assisted by various local subcontractors whom we have called upon to assist us by providing their specialist skills, particularly in engineering, electronics and soft skin products. Every ARRC has been individually test lifted with a dual crane lift using the new lifting hooks built in Norway and fitted at Silvers, initially to load test the hooks then to test them with the addition of over 8 tons of water bags ballast.

These boats have been built and tested to withstand the winter storms of the North Sea and to be available to assist in the rescue and recovery of oil rig staff. They can provide casualties with a place of refuge in the harsh North Sea environment.

Silvers staff, subcontractors and everyone who has been involved in this project have been proud to have played their part. They would like to pass on their best wishes and good luck for the future to all those who have to man and operate these ARRCs, also to the entire 'Jigsaw' project.

With thanks to: AB 2000 Crane Hire, Boat Electrics and Electronics, RIBS, Reekies Machining, Frank Bevan and Audiocraft.