First shipyard contract awaited

A team of 40 staff is currently based at the yard

A north Devon shipyard which was saved from receivership six weeks ago is yet to secure a contract.

But Devonport Management Limited (DML), which took control of the yard in February, says there is no sense of panic. DML bosses say they have anticipated such a problem and budgeted for the situation.

A team of 40 technical and engineering staff are based at Appledore, many working on bids for orders.

Growing workforce

The team is also supporting design and engineering work at DML in Plymouth.

Managers say the workforce in north Devon is actually growing slowly in readiness for contracts being secured.

DML's Corporate Development Director, Peter Whitehouse, said it was a situation that had been anticipated.

He said: "We have a very clear understanding of what it costs to keep the yard there and available on mothballed basis.

"It's not an inconsiderable sum of money but it's one we took into account when we generated our plans.

"We are therefore obviously keen to secure work but we know where we are as long as it's there and being kept ready to go."