Lift off! New ship facility is launched (From Daily Echo)

Lift off! New ship facility is launched

10:33am Monday 29th June 2009 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(0)

A SOUTHAMPTON based ship repairer has launched a new 1,000 tonne lift facility.

Testbank Ship Repair and partners Trafalgar Wharf unveiled the Rolls-Royce syncrolift, one of the biggest of its kind in the south, at a cable cutting ceremony.

Guests watched as the hull of the Serco Denholm vessel, Teesdale, was given a six-metre vertical lift for repairs and inspection in Portsmouth Harbour.

Testbank managing director Jason Coltman said the lift had been brought back into use after a period spent out of commission and is capable of handling a wide range of contracts including superyachts, pilot boats, tugs, commercial ferries and naval vessels.

Mr Coltman said: “Before having the ship lift facility we were compelled to use other companies to slip our clients’ vessels, but now we can be a one-stop shop for complete projects at our own location.”

Trafalgar Wharf has been developing the ex-Vosper Thornycroft location in Portsmouth harbour since last September. Testbank Ship Repair, which has its head office in Southampton’s Western Docks, has a £7m turnover and employs 65 permanent staff.