Gareloch Support Services (Plant) Ltd. services

The SMS Shoalbuster is a sturdy and robust tug suited to all types of marine work including towing, mooring, anchor handling and dredge support. Tug boats are the traditional workhorses of the sea and the Shoalbuster 2609 is 26 metres in length, and boasts 2200 BHP, with a bollard pull of over 31 tonnes.It’s capable of over 11 knots and has unlimited range, with accommodation for six crew. It was built in 2009 by the Damen Shipyard in Holland.

Multi-Role Vessels are strong and versatile workhorses, designed to provide a stable work platform capable of considerable precision.

Smaller, but equally versatile workboats with a proven record for consistency and reliability in a variety of roles.

RIBs (rigid inflatable boats) are all-purpose work horses capable of use as workboats, for dive support and for safety boat work, as well as a range of other functions. Their light weight combined with their capacity, shallow draught, speed and manoeuvrability – not to mention their sturdiness – make them ideal for numerous applications. GSS has half a dozen RIBs ranging from 6 to 12 metres, all MCA coded and some with cabins and internal space. Versatile and easily transportable by road, they are in use all over the UK on different projects, both on their own and in conjunction with other vessels.

Pontoons are floating work platforms used in a wide range of marine civil engineering work. Varying in size depending on the requirements of each project, pontoons are used in construction work, storage, delivery of equipment to wind farms or other construction sites, as crane platforms and as barges.  GSS also operate a number of Unifloat pontoons – road transportable sectional pontoons in multiples of 5m and 2.5m which can be assembled in larger pontoons any shape or size to suit different loads or restrictions in working space. They can be used on inland water as well as marine contracts.  GSS’s various pontoons, from 30x11m to 18x25m are towed into position by other vessels but are fully BV classified. They come with spud legs or mooring systems and can be used anywhere around the world.

GSS has a distinct advantage when it comes to civil engineering within the marine construction sector, for two main reasons. We have a civil engineering team with wealth of knowledge and experience – and we have our own floating plant available.

Around the UK GSS provides repair and maintenance of all types and sizes of floating and fixed aids to navigation. With a range of available vessels and skilled operators, GSS will undertake installation and commissioning of navigation lights and buoys as well as upgrades. The first has maintenance contracts for a number of key harbours with harbour operators, the MoD and local authorities, covering everything from the anchor and moorings to the lights themselves, and including assessment and certification work as well as basics such as cleaning, painting and repairs.