There’s nothing unusual about a fishing vessel being lengthened, but one being shortened is something of a rarity. But that’s what happened to French trawler when owners exchanged boats.
Naval architect Coprexma carried out the design work for Arvorig to be shortened to 15.95 metres to provide its new Cherbourg owner with more opportunities for scalloping in the Baie de Seine area, and the work was completed at Piriou Naval Services in Lorient during a four-week refit.
Arvorig was also renamed Thortevald by its new owner, with the trawler named after one of William the Conqueror’s knights.
As well as reducing the vessel’s overall length with the bow plates reshaped, it was also broadened across the transom, the gantry was remodelled and work was done to modify the net drums. Three new scuppers were fitted to the transom and HDPE protection has been added to the aft ship.
