FERGUSON'S shipyard has marked another key milestone in its recovery with the launch of a new workboat for the fish farming industry.

The 26.5 metre Kallista Helen will be operated by Isle of Mull-based Inverlussa Marine Services.

She is the first vessel of her type to be designed and built in Scotland.

Ferguson Marine turnaround director Tim Hair hailed her arrival.

He said: "Kallista Helen is the second of two workboats we have built for Inverlussa, with the first one delivered last year.

"There's a final programme of commissioning to be completed on the vessel post-launch and it will be ready to handover next month.

"On the back of a very challenging 12 months, this is a hugely positive event and is a clear sign of progress at the shipyard.

"Our contract with Inverlussa is also a great example of Scotland's robust maritime sector, with the vessel designed, built and operating in Scotland."

The two-deck vessel will operate on the west coast of Scotland and around the Northern Isles on a long-term charter to Scottish Sea Farms, one of Scotland's leading producers of salmon.

Inverlussa managing director Ben Wilson said: "We were delighted to build this boat in Scotland.

"I would like to thank Ferguson Marine and their workforce for delivering such a well-crafted, advanced vessel.

"This shows the importance of the fish farm sector to Scotland and to Scottish jobs.

"Its delivery continues our strategy of investing in the best vessels and crew."

Mr Wilson's 18-year-old niece, Kallista Knight, pictured, named the new vessel and popped the champagne at Ferguson's on Monday to mark the vessel's launch.

Boss of Scottish Sea Farms Jim Gallagher said: "Not only is the Kallista Helen another big step forwards in our drive to ensure the best growing conditions for our fish and maintain a steady supply of farmed salmon to market, but it's also a great example of Scottish business supporting Scottish business.

"Events outside everyone's control have caused delays but we’ve stuck together throughout, stayed focused on the end goal and now we're back on course."

Kallista Helen is the third vessel launched by Ferguson since the yard was nationalised in December 2019.

Work on two delayed CalMac ferries, MV Glen Sannox and Hull 802, is now picking up pace following the announcement of 120 new jobs to bolster the overall Ferguson's workforce to more than 500-strong.