VESSEL REVIEW | Silver Bird – Danish owner welcomes combination fly-shooter/twin-rigger to fleet

Danish shipbuilder Vestværftet recently handed over a new fishing vessel to local owner Gitte Henning Konsum.

Designed and built by Vestværftet, Silver Bird is configured for both fly-shooting and twin-rig trawling, and the combination split winch layout means the vessel can perform both fishing methods without having to change any of the onboard equipment.

Propulsion setup ideal for extended-duration sailings

The newbuild has all-steel construction, a length of 19.5 metres (64 feet), a beam of seven metres (23 feet), a depth of 5.96 metres (19.6 feet), a gross tonnage of 167, and accommodation for five crewmembers. Power is provided by a Yanmar 6AYEM 610kW (820hp) diesel engine driving a Hundested VP 11 2280mm nozzle-housed propeller via a Hundested CPG 80 PTO gearbox.

The rest of the propulsion setup includes two Mitsubishi 70kVA auxiliary engines, an AS:Scan MT-1000 steering system with two electric-hydraulic pumps, and a Hundested SFT3 bow thruster that will provide additional lateral manoeuvrability.

Electronically-aided gear for seamless fishing operations

The selection of fishing equipment also includes a codend winch and two double net drums fitted on the main deck, where a TMP Hydraulik crane is also installed. A Thyborøn Trawldoor computer controls the main split winches while SeaTech and SeaMech fish detection sensors are also fitted.

The catch is kept in a refrigerated hold with Lemvig Maskin og Koleteknik cooling systems and BoaTech handling equipment. The hold also boasts flake ice production facilities.

Tank capacities are 17,000 litres (3,700 gallons), 6,600 litres (1,500 gallons) and 5,800 litres (1,300 gallons) for fuel, freshwater and processing water, respectively. Paint from Hempel was used for all exterior surfaces.

The accommodation includes five crew cabins, a mess with galley, and a lounge.