Abels Shipbuilders

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Abels Shipbuilders Ltd is a ship and boat builder in Bristol, England. They are now the largest remaining shipbuilder in Bristol.

Founded in 1980 by David Abels, the company took over part of the Albion Dockyard formerly occupied by Charles Hill & Sons who went out of business in 1977. The company builds vessels up to 250 tonnes and 25m in length in steel and aluminium and uses a 350 tonne capacity dry dock. 80% of orders are for UK customers although recently the company delivered 12 aluminium patrol and ambulance boats to Nigeria in 2006[1]. The company also built Pero's Bridge (the horned foot bridge) which opened in 1999[2]. The orderbook in 2007 includes a 180 tonne 250 passenger catamaran for the Clyde.

[edit] Vessels built by Abels Shipbuilders

Vessels built by Abels Shipbuilders in Bristol include:

  • Maria McLoughlin (1981). 500hp steel tug.
  • Sarah McLoughlin (1981). 500hp steel tug.
  • Island Princess (1985). Passenger ferry.
  • Eynhallow (1987). 104grt Ro-Ro vehicle and passenger ferry.
  • Vigilance (1989). 42t environmental survey vessel.
  • Sea Vigil (1991). 55t survey vessel.
  • Avon Monarch (1991). 75 seat passenger vessel.
  • Coastal Guardian (1992). 74t survey vessel.
  • Water Guardian (1992). 51t survey vessel.
  • Sir William Pulteney (1993). 85 seat passenger ferry.
  • Impulse (1994). 52grt steel pusher tug.
  • The Georgian (1995). 93.5ft passenger ferry.
  • Lenie (1997). 121grt multipurpose tug.
  • Spirit of Gosport (2001). 250t passenger ferry.
  • Beauchamp (2001). 80ft floating classroom vessel.
  • Spirit of Portsmouth (2002). 250t passenger ferry (unfinished).
  • Faoilean (2002). 58t fish farming vessel.
  • Leanne McLoughlin (2005). Line running vessel.
  • Noleen McLoughlin (2005). Line running vessel.
  • Clay Barge No 8 (2005). 39.5ft motor barge.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Shuner Sparks Issue 16 - March/April 2007 Retrieved in 2007-12-04
  2. ^ Contract Journal: Bridging the Gap Retrieved in 2007-12-04