Its main assets are deep water, good road and rail access, ready made high level security, and acres of space - 13.5 to be exact. The main buildings, which were originally used for warship mooring, and buoy and boom defence storage and servicing, extend to 60,000 sq ft, and are easily high enough for the new Wise 80 ton boat hoist.

The expected under cover capacity is 90 craft, but storage is only part of the business plan. The site, thanks to 1,000 feet of deepwater jetty frontage, can service small ship turnarounds, and already the Aurora and the Discovery -North Atlantic research ships - are regulars.

With lifting capacity of around 7.5m/24ft beam, and 36m/120 ft loa, there are additional opportunities for servicing not only very large yachts, but fishing and commercial vessels.

The diversity is not confined to boat handling - Fairlie Quay is actively seeking tenant companies, and already provides a home to North Sails Scotland, Starcat (which builds 18m catamarans for the charter market), Clyde Technologies (GRP refinishing specialists), Yacht Electrics and Electronic Services, Rigtech (rigging services) and the steel fabrication company Chatton Engineering.

Given that this is not a marina development competing for berth holders with existing yacht harbours, Fairlie Quay is offering facilities to other trade operators, and already have an arrangement in place to commission and store Elan yachts bound for Irish agents Whiterock Yacht Services.

Another possibility will be wholesaling winter storage to marinas with insufficient shore space.