AWARDS 2023 | Best Small Trawler – Copious – Macduff Ship Design

Best Small Trawler – Copious – Macduff Ship Design

This fine little ship will work for its experienced owners in the bleak, windy and cold waters to the north of Scotland.

Macduff Ship Design knows those waters well and this very imaginative new trawler will work very safely, efficiently and effectively there. Magnificent!

“The vessel was developed with close cooperation between our team and the owner and skippers,” Ian Ellis, Managing Director of Macduff Ship Design, told Baird Maritime. “The entire fishing operation was reviewed and analysed. The layout of fishing operations, the positioning of the equipment, and the mechanisation of a number of areas to avoid crew contact with gear was given a high priority to ensure maximum crew safety.”

Ellis added that the quality of the fish from sea to market was ensured with the aid of new fishing gear and revised processing involving fast chilling of the fish from the moment it lands on the vessel through to a slush ice system for preserving quality during storage.

The propulsion system was also reviewed to ensure maximum towing efficiency and manoeuvrability with low power by fitting a large propeller in a nozzle, improving water flow through to the propeller, and the fitting of a triple rudder system.

“The targets and improvements required by the owner led to a full review of the entire vessel design from layout to propulsion and hull form. The whole vessel was taken from a completely new starting point whilst having to accommodate all of the innovations and additional equipment required to accomplish the desired targets.”

The UK workboat industry as a whole will also have objectives of its own. For Ellis, the entire sector will be compelled to reduce emissions and develop new green technologies and working practices. The implementation of the new workboat code 3 will also have an impact throughout the sector with all existing vessels having to be upgraded to meet the new code over the next five years.

“Compliance with this new regulation will inevitably bring with it an increase in maintenance and operational costs, or the requirement to renew ageing vessels,” Ellis told Baird Maritime.

“We have been working with owners looking at new propulsion technology within the aquaculture and harbour operations sectors, and so we have partnered with local and international companies in developing battery electric tugs and workboats, in addition to looking at how new fuels can be incorporated into existing fleets.”

For a list of the 2023 “Best Of” award winners, please click here.