A Southampton based marine outfitter has landed its largest ever single contract - to fit out and build an accommodation block on a geo-survey vessel.

The £1.5m contract with Gardline shipping comes as Moss Marine is completing work on three patrol vessels for the Oman Navy at BAE Systems in Portsmouth as part of ongoing £14m contracts.

And as the firm’s order book remains brimming, founder Mike Moss, pictured, is developing a new craft to tackle the growing problem of piracy around the horn of Africa and the Persian Gulf.

Secret plans for a fast anti-pirate vessel, with an estimated price tag of £10m, are in research and development under the old Vosper Thornycroft brand VT Halmatic, which Mike picked up from the former Southampton shipbuilding giant.

He hopes to begin testing the gunship in water tanks at Southampton University next year.

Moss Marine is one of the few south coast survivors of the decline in shipping manufacturing in the country, and has seen healthy growth since it was established two decades ago.

With a staff of between 30 and 60 and a turnover of £5m Mike has steered the firm with a focus on what he claims are three certainties: the super rich splashing out on superyachts, navies wanting to bolster and renew their fleets, and energy companies seeking out new geological riches.

Moss Marine Construction has become one of the leading specialists in ship catering areas, including galleys, pantries, bars and buffet lines for cruise liners, passenger ships, ferries and other customers around the world.

“We’re still growing and proving the industry is not dead in Southampton,”

said Mike.

“We’re pushing all sorts of boundaries to get expansion and recognition. And we’re proud of what we do.”

Staff at Moss Marine, which has been based in a workshop and offices in Marsh Lane for the past four years, are busy making the 33 sets of wardrobes, bunks, bookcases and tables for Gardline’s latest survey ship Ocean Reliance.

The 93-metre vessel is being completed in Hull, where Moss Marine staff will be fitting it out over the coming months.

They impressed Gardline bosses with a replica cabin showroom they built in Marsh Lane.

Further work will come in contracts with Spanish cruise ship operator Pullmantures to build waste management areas for the cruise ships Ocean Dream and Zenith.

And Mike is investing in the future of the company by taking on local apprentices for the third year.

His son Dominyk, 20, is among those following in his footsteps on the yacht and boat-building course at City College’s Maritime Skills Centre in Woolston, which Mike himself completed in 1976.

And two more apprentices will start in September.