VESSEL REVIEW | Altaire – Shetland fisher adds North Sea pelagic trawler to fleet

UK-based Altaire Fishing Company recently welcomed a new pelagic trawler to its fleet that operates in the Shetland Islands.

Altaire was built in compliance to DNV Ice-C rules, which denotes suitability for waters with mild surface ice. The focus of the trawler’s development has been on optimising catch quality and hygiene to allow the landing of high quality pelagic fish while also ensuring a safe and comfortable working environment.

The bespoke vessel has since replaced a similarly named, 2004-built trawler. The newer Altaire boasts an increase in size of approximately 30 per cent to accommodate an array of features as well as comfortable living and working spaces for a 12-strong crew.

The trawler has an LOA of 79.95 metres, a moulded beam of 17.5 metres, a draught of 4.6 metres, a depth of 6.6 metres, a gross tonnage of 3,565, and a summer deadweight tonnage of approximately 3,500.

A main engine with a rated output of 7,320 kW at 750 rpm drives a 4,200mm four-bladed controllable-pitch propeller to deliver a speed of 17 knots. Also fitted are a Scania DI09 074M 203ekW auxiliary engine, a Marelli 3,300kW shaft alternator, and two Brunvoll 1,400kW side thrusters for added lateral manoeuvrability.

The deck equipment includes Karmoy hydraulic winches and a SeaQuest Systems package that consists of a four-tonne knuckle boom crane and two four-tonne gantry cranes, all with radio control capability. For fish processing, the vessel relies on tanks and compressors from Cflow, 14 RSW tanks with a total capacity of 2,875 cubic metres, and two Johnson Controls 1,500kW RSW plants.

Onboard facilities include a galley, a mess, a gym, and two TV rooms.

Designed and built by Danish shipyard Karstensens Skibsværft, Altaire is homeported at Collafirth on the east coast of mainland Shetland but may also operate out of Lerwick, which has larger berthing facilities. The trawler has already commenced fishing for herring and mackerel in the North Sea.