Slipen in Sandnessjøen has been in the service of the coast ever since it was established back in 1909. The workshop has evolved to be one of the most modern in the nation, characterized by sensible operation and high quality. Our manufacturing halls are ventilated and well-lit, ensuring that our workers and equipment have the optimal conditions necessary to produce the very best result possible.

History

Easily accessible by sea and at the foot of a mountain known for its legends, "The Seven Sisters", in the north of Norway is Alstahaug. It is an area that has always been central to Norwegian history.

Notable figures such as the Vikings Hårek of Tjøtta, Torolv Kveldulvsson, and the priest Petter Dass hail from these shores. Even then, lasting bonds were formed between Helgeland and Europe—bonds that were further developed throughout the Middle Ages, especially during the Hanseatic period when connections between Northern Norway and continental Europe were particularly active.

These open connections between Alstahaug and Europe brought new technology and science to these northern shores—innovations that quickly benefited the local boatbuilding craft, as Northerners and boats have always been inseparable—not only at sea but also through a vibrant, thousand-year-old boatbuilding tradition...

Slipen Mekaniske
through the years

1860

A rich herring fishing with increasing need for new builds and boat repair

In the 1860s, Nordland had a rich herring fishing with increasing need for new builds and boat repair. In 1864, after the abolition of the north Norwegian trading monopolies In the 1860's. Nordland was met with an abundance of herring, which demanded both new boats and the repair of old ones. After the abolition of the monopolies in Northern Norway in 1864, Nils Jakobsen established a shipyard, liqour store, shop, and fishery, a great boathouse with a big difference between the tides.The people of Stamnes built fisheries and prepared to repair their boats... And this would set the stage for the future.

1909

Repair Workshop founded

In 1909, IS Sandnessjøen Patent Slip and Repair Workshop was founded as an evolution of the old business in Stamnesvika. The first slip was lubricated with ''grønnsåpe'', a traditional Norwegian soap, to aid in the recovering of boats. At first, a horse belonging to the farmer Jørgen Karlsen would drag the boats up the slip. But later this would be done by way of the steam engine, along with a ''modern'' carriage with wheels and rails.

1959

Shipbuilding

Until 1959 the workshop was operating exclusively with the repair of vessels. There was a great skill that one would also use for shipbuilding. The first ship that was built was the M / S "Vefsna", a local boat built for the local company Helgeland Trafikkselskap and in the years up to 2003, a total of 65 ships were delivered from Slipen. Ferries, fishing boats, gas tanks, freighters and local boats were delivered from the traditional workshop under the seven sisters.
Up until the year 1959 the workshop was entirely focused on the repair of vessels. This would develop a high level of competency, which was then used for the construction of new ships. The first of which was M/S Vefsna, built for the local company Helgeland Trafikkselskap. In the years up until 2003, a grand total of 65 ships were brought out of Slipen. Ferries, fishing boats, gas tankers, freighters, and boats for local use are all vessels delivered from the tradtional workshop under The Seven Sisters.

2003

Repairs and reconstructions

Since 2003, the company has again concentrated on repairs and reconstructions. In recent years, the company has received more offshore assignments and is today a central co-owner of Helgeland V & M, which has a maintenance contract with BP at FPSO "Skarv".
Since 2003, Slipen once again concentrates on repairs and refurbishing. More recently, the company has received more assignments offshore, and has become a central co-owner of Helgeland V & M, who maintain FPSO ''Skarv'' for BP