Amy GrayThe SLP accommodation has finally sailed from Lowestoft dock, but the future of the company is still uncertain.SLP went into administration in November last year and the nine-storey floating hotel was the last major project for the work force.Amy Gray

The SLP accommodation module has finally sailed from Lowestoft dock, but the future of the company is still uncertain.

SLP went into administration in November last year and the nine-storey floating hotel was the last major project for the work force.

After a few false starts, weather was suitable for the structure to be tugged away from the dock in the early hours of this morning.

The module, which contains luxury accommodation, will take its position at the Valhall oilfield in the North Sea after a 36-hour journey.

Chris Pillar, joint administrator and director at PricewaterhouseCoopers in East Anglia said they were continuing to seek a buyer for the company.

'My colleague Stephen Oldfield had previously said that the completion of LQ [living quarters] would be one of the best adverts for Lowestoft to help with sale of the business.

'We continue with our efforts to sell the business and I have no doubt the sailing of LQ will help a buyer see the potential of SLP.'

The renewables arm of SLP has already been bought by Dutch company Smulders and talks with them regarding buying the rest of the business continue.

'Progress is being made towards a sale and last week has seen intense activity between the lawyers and with our discussions with Smulders,' said Mr Pillar.

'Whilst we have made progress towards a sale, the deal is not yet done and will not be certain until we have finalised the discussions and then agreed the documentation, signed and exchanged.

'In the meantime, we are continuing with the completion of customer work and I would like to pass on my thanks to the SLP employees for their contribution towards a world class project.'

The module has been visited by many industry experts and is the product of more than three million man hours. In total, 1,400 people worked on the project.

Mr Pillar added: 'SLP has shown it can complete a world class project and I was pleased to be with SLP management, to watch LQ sailaway from Lowestoft dock.

'The quality of LQ is remarkable and the SLP employees have done a fantastic job - they have earned their right to be proud of their work whilst also maintaining an exemplary safety record.'