Sea Change For Underwater Inspection New Firm Based In Lochinver

16th November 2005

A Lochinver man has started a new business offering a high tech solution to underwater inspections.

With help from Caithness and Sutherland Enterprise (CASE) Scott Mackenzie has invested £17,000 in a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) that can inspect and record underwater images required by a diverse range of clients from the fish farming industry and harbour authorities to boat owners and the leisure sector.

With an engineering and diving background in the fish farming industry, Scott saw a gap in the market for the new service.

He said: "Currently, equipment has to be expensively leased and brought into the area from as far away as the central belt or England. Bringing a qualified operator to a remote location like west Sutherland also adds to
the expense.

"Using an ROV provides an added attraction as clients can see images of vessels, moorings, harbour walls and the like where previously they only
received a written report."

Scott has researched his business extensively by travelling to the USA to identify a suitable model of ROV for his requirements.

He also approached potential clients to gauge the market for the new service and attended a three day business planning course funded by CASE who also approved a development grant of £4,300 and a business start up contribution of £3,600.

Development officer at CASE, Fiona Paton said: "Scott's business plan indicates there is the potential to create employment for two other people which provides a significant economic boost in areas like North West Sutherland.

"Offering the benefits of this ROV business further a field also helps to put the area on the map, providing even more economic potential in the years ahead."