Written by
Nick Blenkey
Picture: Kongsberg Maritime
Arctic Fjord, the primary new trawler-processor for Alaskan pollock to be constructed within the U.S. in over three a long time is now present process sea trials within the Northern Pacific. Ordered from Houma, La., shipbuilder Thoma-Sea Marine Constructors by Seattle headquartered Arctic Storm Administration Group, LLC , the 100 meter lengthy Jones Act vessel was designed by Kongsberg Maritime.
Set to start full-time operations for 2024’s pollock A season within the Bering Sea, on sea trials it’s testing an built-in know-how bundle from Kongsberg Discovery that’s tailor-made to find, examine and interact fish with unparalleled effectivity.
Kongsberg Discovery says that the vessel, which replaces Arctic Storm’s unique, 1974-built Arctic Fjord, is outfitted with techniques designed to optimise each effectivity and environmental efficiency.
The techniques embrace: the SN90 multibeam sonar, which pinpoints faculties of, and particular person, fish; the ES80 sounder system, able to detailed fish inspections; and the FX80 reside digital camera and DFS75 gear monitoring techniques, displaying how nets are deployed and verifying the catch in real-time.
“The Arctic Fjord units a brand new benchmark for the Alaskan pollock fleet,” says Jess Woodruff, Kongsberg Discovery’s director, marine life know-how U.S.A. “From its fuel-efficient design to the excellent crew lodging and state-of-the-art onboard processing amenities, each ingredient has been cherry picked to not simply do the job, however to do it to the very best attainable requirements.
“In step with that spirit, Arctic Storm challenged us with delivering an built-in bundle that will enable the crew to maximise catch effectivity – lowering each time on the water and vessel emissions – whereas working seamlessly throughout the ship’s wider operational and processing parameters to optimize profitability. The result’s a subsequent technology trawler-processor that may ship wonderful catches, excellent environmental efficiency, and a robust return on funding for this forward-thinking shipowner.”
Kongsberg Discovery has a protracted observe document with Arctic Storm, supplying sonars, sounders and trawl techniques all through the corporate’s fleet.
The know-how has discovered agency favor with crews, in a fishery pushed by bycatch discount, whereas nonetheless executing one of many largest wild-caught fisheries on the planet. The ES80 sounder system particularly excels on this respect, with a broad frequency spectrum (from 38 to 200 kHz) permitting for detailed evaluation of particular person fish and faculties, serving to determine each fish sort and dimension.
“We’ve got a superb relationship with Kongsberg Discovery and vastly appreciated their assist on this landmark construct mission,” says Brett Johnson, VP, Arctic Storm. “It’s our ambition to boost the bar with our newbuilds, offering vessels that ship optimum outcomes for our stakeholders, whereas minimizing their impacts on the environments the place they function. Effectivity is a central to reaching these targets, and Kongsberg Discovery’s superior options assist us pinpoint, determine and interact with our targets in a fashion that’s actually trade main. We see this as the way forward for sustainable fishing in the present day, and we’re delighted to proceed our partnership with their workforce onboard the brand new Arctic Fjord.”
As soon as operational, Arctic Fjord will, along with producing pollock fillets, course of fish meal and fish oil, opening up new income streams for Arctic Storm.
The Arctic Fjord is a Kongsberg Maritime NVC 336 WP design trawler. Measuring 99 x 21 meters it was Kongsberg’s first ever contract for a U.S. constructed vessel. It is among the largest fishing vessels designed by the corporate.
Key design options embrace a wave piercing bow, which reduces gasoline consumption and reduces slamming in tough seas. It has a crew capability of 152, with 48 cabins integrated into the design – far more than on typical Norwegian fillet trawlers.
Designed for trawling, the Arctic Fjord has a excessive bollard pull of 110 tonnes. It’s powered by a single Bergen 7,200 kW foremost engine and has a Kongsberg Maritime Promas Innoduct propeller of 4,200 mm diameter. The vessel additionally includes a Kongsberg tunnel thruster to help maneuverability, and a spread of Kongsberg deck equipment.
