Slipen Mekaniske AS

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.

Many famous people, such as the vikings Hårek on Tjøtta and Torolv Kveldulvsson, or the priest Petter Dass have been born along these shores. Already at this time there was a permanent bond between Helgeland and Europe, ties that developed further throughout the Middle Ages, not least through the Hanseatic period where relations between northern Norway and continental Europe were particularly active. Thus, connections between Alstahaug and Europe brought new technology and science to the northern coasts. These fresh ideas were quickly to the benefit of the local boatbuilder – for the people of Northern Norway and the boat have always been as good as one, not only on the sea but also through a thousand years of thriving boat-building traditions.

1860

In 1860-årene

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

In 1909

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

Until 1959

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

From 2003

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