VESSEL REVIEW | Mekhanik Tsuranov – Ice-capable Russian crab boat to be operated in Pacific and Arctic waters

Neva-Slippel, a shipbuilding company under Russia's Norebo Group, has delivered a new crab fishing vessel to local customer Island Crab.

Mekhanik Tsuranov belongs to the Project 03070 series of crab fishing vessels designed by the Petrobalt Design Bureau in compliance with Russian Maritime Register of Shipping rules including those for ice class two and unlimited navigation areas.

The vessel has an LOA of 50.45 metres (165.5 feet), a beam of 12.53 metres (41.11 feet), a draught of 6.72 metres (22 feet), a depth of 7.6 metres (25 feet), a displacement of 1,835 tons at full load, an endurance of 30 days, and space for 30 crewmembers.

The vessels are designed primarily for bottom longline catching of Kamchatka, Opilio and blue crab using conical "Japanese-style" traps and transporting these in tanks with a total capacity of 461 cubic metres ( cubic feet) of seawater. The RSW tanks are fitted with thermal insulation to help maintain temperature and can store up to 90 tons of live crab.

Versatile propulsion arrangement allowing effective normal and low-speed cruising

A 1,200kW (1,600hp) main engine drives a controllable-pitch propeller to deliver a service speed of 12 knots and a range of more than 5,200 nautical miles. A 550kW shaft alternator and three diesel generators meanwhile supply electrical power for the various onboard systems.

A bow thruster provides additional lateral manoeuvrability for berthing/unberthing. The bow thruster can also be used as a low-speed propeller in place of the main propeller if needed, such as when making brief transits to find ideal fishing spots.

Layout optimised for streamlined catching and handling

The cone traps are laden with bait and are deployed into the water via the stern. Lifting of the crab-laden traps from the water and onto a stainless steel sorting table is done with the aid of a crane with a capacity of 300 kg.

Another crane will be used for loading of sorted live crab in baskets into the RSW tanks via a conveyor and unloading of baskets to shore or to a receiving vessel. All cargo operations are carried out from the starboard side.

The onboard electronics include radios ideal for use in sea areas A1, A2 and A3. One steel and one aluminium mast are also fitted for water removal and for mounting of the navigation equipment, respectively.

The aluminium wheelhouse features control, observation and communication consoles as well as small recreation area for the crew.

Mekhanik Tsuranov and sister vessel Mekhanik Stepanov, which will be delivered to Island Crab following her own sea trials, will be operated in the Pacific Ocean. The vessels are capable of navigating in ice-free seas year-round and in waters with finely broken ice within areas outside of the Arctic.