VESSEL REVIEW | Asterix – Finnish-built crab boat with oil spill response capability

Photo: Kewatec Aluboat
Photo: Kewatec Aluboat
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Finnish builder Kewatec Aluboat has delivered a new all-aluminium fishing vessel to owner Jim Nikolaisen of Honningsvag in northern Norway. The newbuild, which the owner named Asterix after a famed French comic book character, is designed primarily for net fishing and catching of king crabs in the fjords of that particular region of the country.

The vessel has a length of 10.99 metres, a beam of 4.7 metres, a displacement of 22 tonnes, and a fish hold that can accommodate up to twelve 1,000-litre boxes of catch for a total of 25 tonnes. The design is of an existing Kewatec workboat series with a strengthened hulls and a standard bow ramp that guarantees optimum loading and unloading of cargo without compromising performance under a broad range of sailing conditions.

A Scania D13 engine with an output of 298 kW drives a propeller via a ZF 325IV gearbox to deliver a speed of about 10 knots. A Whisperpower generator is also available to supply power to the onboard systems.

<em>Photo: Kewatec Aluboat</em>
Photo: Kewatec Aluboat

The boat has deck equipment consisting of a net hauler, a bleeding container, and a net storage bin needed for net fishing. It also has a hydraulic lifting beam for handling the traps used in catching king crabs. A hydraulic lift is also fitted in the bleeding container to ensure quicker and easier transfer of catch to and from the fish hold. The fishing equipment was provided by Lorentzen Hydraulikk.

The accommodations will enable a crew of three to stay out at sea for days, though regularly, the boat will be operated by only two people. Amenities include three berths in two cabins, a galley, a toilet, and a shower. The wheelhouse has a NorSap seat for the skipper.

<em>Photo: Kewatec Aluboat</em>
Photo: Kewatec Aluboat

The electronics suite meanwhile includes displays from Nogva and Neovo, navigation electronics from Simrad and Olex, and an emergency radio power panel from Retronic. Solhaug Skipselektro supplied the boat's searchlights while the navigation lights are from R. Stahl Tranberg.

Kewatec said Asterix will also be equipped for oil spill response duties, as Nikolaisen participates in oil spill response exercises a few times each year. The owner said that, in addition to being used for catching king crab, it will also fish for other species such as cod, saithe, and halibut.

Asterix was delivered to its new owner in January of this year by Martec, Kewatec's local partner in Norway.

<em>Photo: Kewatec Aluboat</em>
Photo: Kewatec Aluboat
Asterix
SPECIFICATIONS
Type of vessel:Crab boat
Port of registry:Hammerfest, Norway
Flag:Norway
Owner:Jim Nikolaisen, Norway
Designer:Kewatec Aluboat, Finland
Builder:Kewatec Aluboat, Finland
Hull construction material:Aluminium
Superstructure construction material:Aluminium
Deck construction material:Aluminium
Length overall:10.99 metres
Beam:4.7 metres
Displacement:22 tonnes
Deadweight tonnage:25
Main engine:Scania D13, 298 kW
Gearbox:ZF 325IV
Propulsion:Propeller
Generator:Whisperpower
Maximum speed:10 knots
Radio:Retronic
Other electronics:Nogva display; Neovo display; Simrad; Olex
Fishing equipment:Lorentzen Hydraulikk net hauler; Lorentzen Hydraulikk net storage bin
Fish processing equipment:Bleeding container; lifting beam; fish hold lift
Other equipment installed:Bow ramp
Seating:NorSap
External lighting/searchlights:Solhaug Skipselektro; R. Stahl Tranberg
Accommodation:2 x cabins; galley; toilet; shower
Crew:3
Operational area:Northern Norway

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