Gerard Sullivan

Owner @Bere Island Boatyard Ltd

At Bere Island Boatyard, we specialise in servicing and repairing fishing and commercial vessels, providing a range of services including coating, painting, steelwork, hydraulics, and engine repairs. Our team’s efforts were recognised when the boatyard was awarded \"Shipyard of the Year\" at the 2015 Marine Industry Awards.A key milestone for the yard was the collective decision to invest €1 million in covering our dry dock. This development has allowed the team to work year-round without the limitations of weather, expanding the range of services we can offer and enabling us to plan for future growth, including doubling our workforce over the next five years.Although we’ve faced challenges in sourcing skilled labour locally, we’ve worked together to build a diverse team, bringing in skilled workers from across Europe while continuing to look for ways to support local employment. The boatyard\'s success is a point of pride for the Bere Island community, and we are committed to its ongoing contribution to the island’s economy.We continue to focus on maintaining high standards of service for our clients, while also working with the Bere Island Projects Group and other local organisations to promote sustainable growth for the island. We hope that with continued development, we can create more opportunities for local workers and ensure the long-term future of marine-related jobs on Bere Island.