FERGUSON Marine in Port Glasgow heralded the beginning of a new chapter under Scottish Government ownership with a ship launch.

A ceremony was held at the Newark shipyard on Monday to name the vessel - the first of two for Isle of Mull company Inverlussa Marine Services - before it was lifted into the water during calmer weather and tide conditions on Wednesday.

Camilla Wilson, wife of the firm's managing director, Ben Wilson, did the honours, accompanied by Scotland's finance and economy secretary, Derek Mackay.

The 21-metre boat - a support vessel for the country's salmon fishing industry - was named Helen Rice after Mr Wilson's great-great grandmother in keeping with the company's tradition of naming its fleet after female relatives.

Mr Mackay, who brought Ferguson's into public ownership in December last year after it got into financial trouble, hailed it as a 'significant milestone' for the shipbuilder.

Video by Paul John Coulter.