(Media invitation & photo opportunity: St Monans Harbour 11 am Monday 23 December)

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is pleased to announce that it has awarded a £1.8m contract to build its new survey vessel to Miller Methill Ltd, of St Monans, Fife. A range of bids were received and considered from a range of European ship yards.

The funding for the new survey vessel was awarded to SEPA by the Scottish Executive in September this year. The new vessel will replace SEPA’s aging fiberglass survey vessel, the Endrick II, one of two vessels that SEPA currently operates around the coastlines of Scotland. It will extend the range of SEPA’s operation to all parts of Scotland, which could previously only be achieved by chartering vessels for the more exposed sites.

The new vessel will be a 24-meter scientific survey vessel, built to a unique design but based on a proven steel hull design. It will be multi-purpose to meet the needs of SEPA’s marine scientific commitments with two deck level laboratories and a range of mechanical and electronic sampling gear.

Ken Collins, Chairman of SEPA said: “ We were all delighted when the Scottish Executive awarded the funding for this new vessel. It’s an exciting time for SEPA marine scientists, with new European legislation bringing in more regulatory work to help protect the marine environment. This new vessel will help us carry out these new duties efficiently and effectively and help SEPA to continue its good work in protecting the marine environment.”

SEPA staff were given the opportunity to name the new vessel. Over 100 entries were received and the winning name was “John Murray”, after the marine scientist who helped found the Millport marine lab.

The construction of the new boat is expected to be complete by February 2004



ENDS

Notes to Editors

The Scottish Executive awarded £1.8M to SEPA for the new survey vessel.