We have signed an agreement with Keep the Archipelago Tidy Association to build a new service vessel for the Gulf of Bothnia. With this new vessel, Keep the Archipelago Tidy Association will continue its preventive work against eutrophication and marine littering in the for the Gulf of Bothnia, complementing the region’s waste management efforts.
The maintenance vessel M/S Roope-Botnia, a member of Keep the Archipelago Tidy Association, reached the end of its service life in 2021. Since then, the Gulf of Bothnia has persevered with temporary equipment, which is not suitable for all of the association’s work in the rough and rugged area surrounded by the open sea. The association maintains around 30 water excursion sites between Kristiinankaupunki and Röytä in Ii, north of Oulu, and is the only organization in the area that takes care of all aspects of waste management for water users.
- All our work in the Gulf of Bothnia aims to prevent litter, eutrophication and chemical pollution. With the new vessel, we also want to maintain the 40-year-old network of picnic harbours that we have built with the help of volunteers and to revitalize the Finnish culture of water excursions,” says Jukka Lundell, Regional Manager of the Keep the Archipelago Tidy Association.
The cost of the purpose-built service vessel is estimated at €1 000 000, plus €450 000 for equipment. To cover the construction costs, Keep the Archipelago Tidy Association has received €600 000 from the ELY Centre under the EU’s EAFRD, which supports environmental and climate investments of public interest. The Weisell Foundation, which specializes in supporting maritime projects, provided €100 000 for the purchase of the vessel, with LähiTapiola Pohjanmaa being the first company to support the purchase with €100 000.
- Thanks to our major supporters, we have signed a supply contract with Kewatec and dare to celebrate that the new vessel in the Gulf of Bothnia will become a reality. The vessel project is a major investment in water conservation. Now companies and communities still have a great opportunity to show their responsibility and contribute to important environmental work by joining the ranks of supporters. This is how we will see our major project through the end,” Lundell continues.
The vessel may also be used for oil spill response and other official duties.
The project to build a new ship in the Gulf of Bothnia received three final bids in response to a call for tenders submitted through Hilma. The winning bidder was Oy Kewatec AluBoat Ab from Kokkola
- Kewatec’s strong experience in building aluminium-framed, water-jet workboats provides a solid basis for future cooperation,” says Lundell.
The new vessel is based on the Kewatec Work 1500 boat model. With a special design, 16.6 m long and 5.2 m wide, the vessel has sufficient carrying capacity, capacity, crane and bow ramp to transport toilet wastewater, wood loads and separate waste collection. The vessel will have a cruising speed of 15 knots. The refit will provide the two-man crew with good accommodation for the working week.
- In the future, we will also be able to take on oil spill response and rescue missions if necessary. The rescue authorities in the region have followed the progress of the project with interest, as the vessel can provide additional capacity for local rescue operations,” says Lundell.
Kewatec is a Finnish company with roots dating back to the 1970s. Today, the company is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of professional aluminium boats.
- I am delighted to be involved in this important project, which supports both environmental protection and services for water users. At Kewatec, we have a long experience in building durable and efficient workboats, and in the design and construction of this boat, we focused in particular on versatility and environmental friendliness. The boat must be able to cope with varying conditions – from shallow coastal waters to the open sea – and provide safe and functional working conditions for the crew. It is great to see how different parties have come together to support this important project, and we look forward to working with the Keep the Archipelago Tidy Association,” says Jan Wargh, Sales Manager at Kewatec.
