More fish and a better place to work

Here is the boat that takes fishermen out of the bone-chilling sea spray and back inside the ship. The technological innovations on the newly built "Geir," a recent addition to the long-line fleet, increase the catch size while improving safety and the ship's working environment. The boat is the result of a cooperative effort between SINTEF Fisheries and Aquaculture, Fiskerstrand Shipyard and the shipping company H.P. Holmeset.

On traditional long-line vessels, a fishing line with a multitude of hooks on it is drawn in through an opening in the side of the ship. In bad weather, a seaman has a bone-chilling and wet job in a precarious position. In addition, significant quantities of fish can be lost when the line is pulled in this way.

On "Geir" the problem is solved by pulling the line in through a well in the bottom of the boat. On the maiden voyage, this well solution resulted in far fewer fish being lost than normal from long-line vessels, and the crew bestowed its praises on their new "office" inside the ship.

ST