VESSEL REVIEW | Arnøytind – Versatile purse seiner boasts environment-friendly features

Norwegian fishing company Arnøytind has expanded its fleet with the recent acquisition of a new purse seining vessel built by compatriot company Stadyard.

The newbuild, which is also named Arnøytind, was designed and built in fulfillment of DNV class rules as well as the owner's requirement for a purse seiner and seine netting vessel with features that help ensure low fuel consumption and reduced emissions, thus minimising its environmental impact.

The vessel has a length of 50.24 metres, a beam of 12 metres, a gross tonnage of 454, a deadweight of 200, and RSW tanks with a total capacity of 499 cubic metres and chilled by a 710kW plant supplied by PTG Frionordica. The RSW tanks can store live catch though there is also an option for the catch to be stored fresh in an onboard hold with ice-laden tubs.

The fishing equipment includes purse seining gear, net and deck cranes, and a net hauler from MacGregor and seine netting gear from Lofoten Hydraulikk. Catch is transferred using SeaQuest and Cflow pumps while four gutting machines and other fish processing equipment were provided by Melbu Systems.

To address the issues of emissions and fuel consumption, Arnøytind is fitted with a hybrid propulsion arrangement consisting of a Caterpillar-MaK 6M20 749kW main engine, a Caterpillar C32 auxiliary engine, a shaft generator, two ZF side thrusters with fixed-pitch propellers, and a Corvus Orca Energy 723kWh battery pack. The main engine drives a Kumera Helseth 4TX650/240-3000 VSD propeller via a Kisung Marine KMG-650 gearbox. Kongsberg Maritime meanwhile supplied the steering system and the rudder.

The vessel also features optimised hull lines. In conjunction with the hybrid propulsion setup, the hull form guarantees reasonable speed but with less fuel consumed. The engines and other associated machinery are located in just one compartment for ease of maintenance.

The accommodation spaces include crew cabins, a galley, and a mess. Work on the interiors was completed by Maritime Montering while Ulvesund Elektro was responsible for the electrical installations. The compartments feature Libra-Plast doors, Bohamet windows, Jets toilet equipment, and galley equipment from Beha-Hedo Industrier.

During emergencies, the crew have access to life-saving equipment from Viking Norsafe and a Mare Safety MOB boat that can be deployed into and recovered from the water via a dedicated Palfinger Marine davit.

Arnøytind will be used for seine netting of groundfish and purse seining of pelagic species out of the northern Norwegian town of Skjervøy. It replaces a similarly named vessel that was originally delivered in 2000.

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