News
Nine more jobs saved at Mustang
THE DRY dock division Pembroke Dock boat-building and repair firm Mustang Marine has been sold, protecting nine jobs, say administrators.
The firm went into administration this year after making significant losses when key contracts overran. The sale of the boat building and marine operation has saved another 30 jobs, administrators said on Thursday (May 29). Alistair Wardell, from company administrator Grant Thornton said: “We are delighted to have been able to conclude a deal for the dry dock part of the Mustang business, having last week finalised a deal for its boat building and marine services operation based at Pembroke Dock. “This is very good news for the nine skilled employees who have remained working for the company at Milford Haven through the administration process. “The new owners, who were also among the largest of the Mustang Marine (Wales) creditors, are confident in being able to grow and expand the business in Milford Haven.” The Herald understands that the dry dock business has been bought by a local industrial painting firm which was owed money by Mustang. Rebecca Evans AM, Assembly Member for Mid and West Wales, has welcomed the news that the sale of the boat building and marine services arm of Mustang Marine to a consortium of investors has been concluded, and that jobs have been safeguarded as a result. She has also welcomed the news that buyers have been found for the company’s former dry dock facility at Milford Haven, with the potential for job creation. In a letter to Assembly Members this week, the Minister for Business, Enterprise, Transport and Science said: “I am writing to provide a further update on events regarding Mustang Marine, the boatbuilding and repair firm based in Pembroke Dock who entered administration in March 2014. “Members will wish to note that the appointed Administrator, Grant Thornton has been able to conclude the sale of the boat building and marine services arm of the former business at Pembroke Dock to a consortium of investors. The new company Mustang Marine Ltd will employ the 30 existing staff to continue working on a number of ongoing projects and is aiming to grow sales, expand the business and increase the workforce which is to be welcomed. “Members will also wish to note that the Administrators have also this week secured the sale of the company’s former dry dock facility at Milford Haven to a second consortium with the potential creation of a further 10 jobs.” Mrs Evans said: “I welcome the news that a successful sale means that the existing workforce of 30 at the boat building and marine services arm of the former company will keep their jobs, and that the new owners are committed to working to increase sales and expand the business with the aim of creating further skilled jobs in future. “I also welcome the news that the nine remaining employees at the dry dock arm of the former business also have their jobs safeguarded, and that the Minister sees the potential for the creation of a further 10 jobs at that site in future. “I wish the new owners well, and hope that the companies will now go on from strength to strength.”
Business
First wind turbine components arrive as LNG project moves ahead
THE FIRST ship carrying major components for Dragon LNG’s new onshore wind turbines docked at Pembroke Port yesterday afternoon, marking the start of physical deliveries for the multi-million-pound renewable energy project.
The Maltese-registered general cargo vessel Peak Bergen berthed at Pembroke Dock shortly after 4pm on Wednesday, bringing tower sections and other heavy components for the three Enercon turbines that will eventually stand on land adjacent to the existing gas terminal at Waterston.
A second vessel, the Irish-flagged Wilson Flex IV, is due to arrive in the early hours of this morning (Thursday) carrying the giant rotor blades.
The deliveries follow a successful trial convoy on 25 November, when police-escorted low-loader trailers carried dummy loads along the planned route from the port through Pembroke, past Waterloo roundabout and up the A477 to the Dragon LNG site.
Dragon LNG’s Community and Social Performance Officer, Lynette Round, confirmed the latest movements in emails to the Herald.
“The Peak Bergen arrived yesterday with the first components,” she said. “We are expecting another delivery tomorrow (Thursday) onboard the Wilson Flex IV. This will be blades and is currently showing an ETA of approximately 03:30.”
The £14.3 million project, approved by Welsh Ministers last year, will see three turbines with a combined capacity of up to 13.5 MW erected on company-owned land next to the LNG terminal. Once operational – expected in late 2026 – they will generate enough electricity to power the entire site, significantly reducing its carbon footprint.
Port of Milford Haven shipping movements showed the Peak Bergen approaching the Haven throughout Wednesday morning before finally tying up at the cargo berth in Pembroke Dock. Cranes began unloading operations yesterday evening.
Weather conditions are currently favourable for this morning’s arrival of the Wilson Flex IV, which was tracking south of the Smalls at midnight.
The abnormal-load convoys carrying the components from the port to Waterston are expected to begin next week, subject to final police and highway approvals.
A community benefit fund linked to the project will provide training opportunities and energy-bill support for residents in nearby Waterston, Llanstadwell and Neyland.
Further updates will be issued by Dragon LNG as the Port of Milford Haven as the delivery programme continues.
Photo: Martin Cavaney
Crime
Banned for 40 months after driving with cocaine breakdown product in blood
A MILFORD HAVEN woman has been handed a lengthy driving ban after admitting driving with a controlled drug in her system more than ten times over the legal limit.
SENTENCED AT HAVERFORDWEST
Sally Allen, 43, of Wentworth Close, Hubberston, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Dec 4) for sentencing, having pleaded guilty on November 25 to driving with a proportion of a specified controlled drug above the prescribed limit.
The court heard that Allen was stopped on August 25 on the Old Hakin Road at Tiers Cross while driving an Audi A3. Blood analysis showed 509µg/l of Benzoylecgonine, a breakdown product of cocaine. The legal limit is 50µg/l.
COMMUNITY ORDER AND REHABILITATION
Magistrates imposed a 40-month driving ban, backdated to her interim disqualification which began on November 25.
Allen was also handed a 12-month community order, requiring her to complete 10 days of rehabilitation activities as directed by the Probation Service.
She was fined £120, ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs and a £114 surcharge. Her financial penalties will be paid in £25 monthly instalments from January 1, 2026.
The bench—Mrs H Roberts, Mr M Shankland and Mrs J Morris—said her guilty plea had been taken into account when passing sentence.
Local Government
Sewage leak at Pembroke Commons prompts urgent clean-up works
Council pollution officers say they have no enforcement powers over Welsh Water infrastructure
SEWAGE contamination on the Commons in Pembroke has prompted an urgent response from pollution officers, after a leak was reported by a member of the public on Tuesday.
Pembrokeshire County Council’s Pollution Control Team confirmed they were alerted yesterday afternoon to sewage surrounding a manhole cover on the site. The Herald understands that officers immediately notified Welsh Water (DCWW) network technicians to investigate the incident “as a matter of urgency”.
County councillor Jonathan Grimes, who represents Pembroke St Mary South and Monkton, said the authority had been clear that it holds no enforcement powers over Welsh Water assets.
“Whilst we work constructively with Welsh Water, we have no authority to intervene on their apparatus or to carry out enforcement action against them for such pollution incidents,” the Pollution Control Team said in a statement shared with the councillor.
Urgent works underway
Council officers visited the site on Wednesday morning alongside contractors and Welsh Water technicians to assess clean-up options. According to the team, works will include cleaning the contaminated ground in and around the manhole cover and fencing off the affected area “until safe”.
Cllr Grimes said officers would return to the scene on Thursday to check on progress and ensure the area is properly secured.
Residents who notice any further issues have been urged to contact the Pollution Control Team directly.
Further updates are expected later this week.
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