The 22.20m Pilot boat “Scapa Pathfinder” being built by Astilleros Armon Shipyard for Orkney Islands has been launched with an incline test completed, the project is on track to progress through trials with delivery expected next month.

MFV ‘Atlantic Titan’ – 90 foot crab and demersal fish Trawler

Shipbuilding Asia and Macduff Ship Design are pleased to announce the completion and handover of a new 90 foot fishing vessel for the Piercy family of  Newfoundland Canada.  The vessel, built in Vietnam by Shipbuilding Asia and designed and kitted by Macduff Ship Design, has the capability to fish for crab and to trawl for demersal fish. 

The vessel combines some traditional features with a distinctive modern design and layout and the latest in fishing technology.  The vessel works the traditional local style of pot for crab fishing using a hydraulically operated main deck side hatch and hauler to starboard.  This is combined with the ability to completely close this main deck area mid-ships, allowing it to convert to a full factory processing deck for modern fish processing and on-board freezing.

Crab fishing is completed using a hydraulic hauler which is monitored from an offset helm position at the starboard side of the wheelhouse, with full depth windows positioned to offer a commanding view of both the hauling station and incoming line.  The catch is released for sorting and then fed into two large 50,000 L refrigerated salt water tanks to keep the catch in prime condition.

Trawling for demersal fish is conducted from the large trawl deck located on shelter deck level behind the Focsle accommodation and wheelhouse.  The whole of the trawl operation is monitored from a designated position at the aft end of the wheelhouse with full height windows which allows the skipper to have a clear view of all fishing gear at all times.  The Bopp supplied trawl winches and net drums allow for single net trawling with the catch being taken aboard aft, up a stern ramp and through a hydraulic cod end hatch into a portable hopper on the processing deck.  This deck can be completely closed during trawl operations with deck pumps keeping the space dry.  The processing deck is reconfigured for trawling to include hopper and processing equipment along with the fitting of 3 x plate freezers supplied with the RSW system in an integrated refrigeration system by Paumier Marine.  Once processed and frozen the catch is stored in the large 160 cubic metre freezer hold.  The 2 x RSW tanks can also be reconfigured with the removal of large portable panels to give an enlarged hold space with a total hold capacity of over 260 cubic metres.

The vessel is fitted with a Yanmar 6EY 17W main engine rated 749Kw at 1350rpm and is coupled to a Reintjes WAF 563 reversing gearbox with reduction ratio of 5.42:1.  This drives a 2000mm diameter fixed pitch propeller fitted in a nozzle all supplied by Kort Propulsion, the vessel achieved a healthy 10.5 knots on trials.  The hull form along with a high-lift rudder designed by Macduff Ship Design and bow thruster also supplied by Kort propulsion also gives the ‘Atlantic Titan’ the excellent manoeuvrability required for the fishing day to day operations.  The vessel is also fitted with bilge keels for roll reduction.

Below deck, when combined the fish hold and tanks have a capacity for 170 – 660 litre seaplast tubs.  The main fish hold, positioned forward, has the ability to either refrigerate catch or fully freeze depending on the type of fish targeted and the duration of the voyage.  Aft of the main hold and roughly amidships are two large 50 T Refrigerated Sea Water holds which hold crab but can also be fully opened using hinged portable panels to augment the fish hold capacity.  The entire refrigeration system was designed and supplied by Paumier Marine to owners requirements.

Below the fish hold are positioned 2 fresh water tanks supplying a total of 23,000 litre of water for domestic systems on board.  The vessel also has 4 main fuel tanks and 2 service tanks giving a total fuel capacity of 65,000 litres which affords the vessel an extensive range.

The crew accommodation comprises 3 x 4 berth cabins and 2 single berth cabins as well as WC facilities, all positioned on the shelter deck below the wheelhouse.  On main deck level forward there is a large mess and lounge area which allows for comfortable seating and an area where the crew can relax and watch tv.  The comprehensive galley is accessed from the mess with separate provisions store and is fitted out to a modern and high standard with commercial quality equipment. 

Following successful sea trials completed in Vietnam the ‘Atlantic Titan’ was loaded as deck cargo onto a cargo ship.  The delivery voyage took her across the Pacific through the Panama canal and up the Eastern seaboard of America to be offloaded in Halifax before a short transit to the home port of Saint Johns Newfoundland.  Here she underwent final commissioning prior to formal handover to the owners.

Macduff Ship Design and Macduff Marine Surveyors will be attending the Seawork exhibition this year held at the Mayflower Park in Southampton 11th-13th June and we look forward to meeting customers past, present and future.

The build process started in August 2017 with the first steel being cut for the vessel.  The entire construction and outfitting of the vessel was supervised by Macduff Ship Design with the owners being kept updated regularly as to the vessel’s progress.  ‘Acamar’ is constructed entirely from steel to a hard-chine hullform with a box skeg and Kort propulsion supply KT30 bow thruster.  The final touches were completed on the vessel in July 2018 with delivery being achieved in early September.  The design, inspired by the popular ‘Eileen Mcloughlin’ hull, was customised to suit Shoreham Port’s busy operations schedule and narrowed in order to fit through lock gates.  The unusual but aptly named ‘Acamar’, which derives from an Arabic phrase meaning ‘end of the river’, complements Shoreham’s existing vessel ‘Adurni’ by adding extra capability to the Shoreham fleet.

The tug is equipped with everything that a busy commercial port requires.  A Mampaey tow hook provides 150kN of capacity whilst the vessel achieved a bollard pull is 10 tonnes and free running speed of 10 knots on trials.  An aft lifting gantry and 7 tonne winch provides plough-dredging capability.  As well as dredging, the vessel’s other duties will include towing, pushing, surveying and lifting which is carried out with A Cormach 8700 E4 Marine Deck crane.

Below deck, Doosan V158 engines providing 480HP at 1800rpm are flexibly coupled to Twin Disc gearboxes with a reduction ratio of 6.10:1.  The 1.7m twin propellers are driven through Kort nozzles.  Above deck the vessel is fitted with an external fi-fi-monitor and pump, and the wheelhouse is fitted with the latest equipment such as Furuno electronics as well as a high precision GPS for carrying out survey work.

Macduff Ship Design is pleased to have had the opportunity to work with Shoreham Port on this project and at present is being kept busy with a full order book of new and repeat designs for owners both in the UK and abroad.