VESSEL REVIEW | Østkapp – Line fishing and baiting boat for northeastern Norway

Icelandic builder Trefjar has delivered a new compact line fishing and bait transport boat to boat captain Brynjar Eriksen Bangsund of Vardø, a small fishing community in northeastern Norway.

Named Østkapp ("Eastern Cape"), the newbuild measures 10.99 metres long and has a gross tonnage of 18. It is equipped for line fishing with an autoline system consisting of 20,000 hooks supplied by Mustad as well as a baiting machine. The catch is hauled on board via a dedicated space on the starboard side.

The fish hold can accommodate 14 baskets of up to 660 litres each. An icemaker supplied by Kæling helps preserve the quality of the catch.

The boat is powered by a Doosan 4V158 engine producing 447 kW and connected to a ZF 500IV gearbox. Hydraulically driven side thrusters at the bow and the stern are connected to the autopilot for more precise manoeuvring.

Navigation and communication electronics were supplied by JRC, Olex, and Simrad. These draw power from a 20kW generator.

The crew of four are housed in a forward accommodation area that has single berths and a toilet with shower. The wheelhouse is spacious enough to fit a large mess with a fully equipped galley in the port side, leaving the starboard side available for the helm controls and seating.

Viking Life-Saving Equipment provided a lifeboat as well as other safety equipment.

Østkapp was handed over to its owner in February 2022 and commenced sailings before the end of the month. It has since been put to use fishing for cod, haddock, and saithe.

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