Thyborøn skipper Tamme Bolt has taken his twin-rigger/fly-shooter Aaltje Postma L-757 to the Karstensen yard in Skagen for an extensive refit that includes adding six metres to its length.
Built at the Barkmeijer yard at Stroobos in the Netherlands in 2000, the 31 metre Aaltje Postma is being refitted and lengthened to provide more carrying capacity, better crew accommodation and improved working conditions.
According to Tamme Bolt, the fishing has also changed over the years and they are having to cover greater distances to get to fishing grounds, so fishroom capacity is vital so that they do not have to leave good fishing too early.
‘We will have capacity for 1900 boxes,’ he said, adding that 300 nautical miles steaming in a trip is nothing unusual and trips are rarely less than five to six days, after which the boat is immediately turned around while the crew work a 3-on-1-off routine.
The refit means that two new cabins can be added, so everyone gets a single berth, and the wheelhouse is lifted and moved to provide better visibility as well as creating space for the two new fly shooting winches replacing the older ones that were under the shelterdeck. This provides the crew with more working space, and the handling deck is being completely refitted, optimising handling and quality.
Aaltje Postma’s refit is expected to be complete in March 2017 and will start in the spring twin-rigging for plaice and other flatfish, before switching to fly-shooting later in the year to concentrate on cod, haddock and hake.
