VESSEL REVIEW | Blue Wave – Moroccan-built diesel-electric trawler delivered to Brittany fisherman

Brittany-based fisherman Jean-Baptiste Goulard recently took delivery of a new trawler fitted with a diesel-electric propulsion system.

Blue Wave was built by Souss Massa Shipyard in Agadir on Morocco's Atlantic coast. The design was developed extensively by naval architects Cabinet, which is also based in Brittany, and Barrillec Marine. However, Mr Goulard opted to have the vessel built overseas partly because of a lack of suitable support infrastructure close to home.

With an LOA of 22 metres and a beam of 6.95 metres, the newbuild was designed to also be capable of operation under extreme conditions, allowing the owner to conduct fishing trips even during the winter months.

Barillec Marine was also responsible for the installation of the diesel-electric propulsion system as well as the electrical systems. The chosen propulsion setup consists of two Scania diesel generator sets supplying power to a 500kW (at 175 rpm) electric motor to directly drive a 2,380mm propeller even without the need for reduction gears, which would otherwise take up additional space. The Scania gensets also provide power for the onboard electrical systems.

Both gensets may be coupled to run at the same time, though as a fuel-saving measure, one may be shut down even as the vessel is underway. This is because the propulsion arrangement was designed to allow even just one generator to provide sufficient propulsive power. The electric motor itself generates a significant amount of torque even during low-speed sailings.

The decision to have the vessel powered by a diesel-electric arrangement was in fulfilment of the owner's desire to keep fuel consumption as low as possible over time and to minimise environmental impact even while regularly venturing out in waters off the Brittany coast and even as far as the Irish Sea. The added benefits provided by the diesel-electric propulsion are reduced levels of noise and vibration compared to conventional powerplants.

The vessel's fishing equipment includes two 28-metre trawl nets, trawl winches, twin gilson winches, three net drums, and hydraulic motors all supplied by Bopp. The fish room has capacity for up to 70 cubic metres or 15 tonnes of catch. A notable feature of this area is a separate space for placing fish that had been caught just before the vessel begins to sail for home. This will enable the crew to make the freshest portion of the catch more readily available prior to being unloaded at berth, hence allowing some of the fish to be sold at premium prices upon landing.

The suite of electronics consist of Marport trawl gear sensors, MaxSea plotters, and other communications and navigation systems supplied by Furuno. Also installed are Marinelec Technologies alarms and tank measurement systems as well as fire safety systems from Protection Incendie Cornouaille.

Lastly, the trawler can house six crewmembers on a single trip, which can last up to 15 days.

Blue Wave was delivered to its owner in August 2021 and has since been put to use trawling for monkfish.

For more news, features and vessel reviews as part of this month's Fishing and Aquaculture Week, please click here.