Twin-rigger Shaulora BF-794 has been delivered to Graham and Josh Buchan, who aren’t newcomers to the Macduff Shipyard which built their Ellorah BF-12 in 2019.
Expected to work mainly in the North Sea prawn fishery, Shaulora represents a new design for the yard, combining a compact registered length with increased onboard space, improved crew comfort and an efficient propulsion package.
With a registered length under 16.50 metres and a 7.50-metre beam, the design has been optimised to make the most of the available internal volume. This has allowed for noticeably larger accommodation areas for the crew of 6-8 persons than on some of its previous vessels of similar length, giving the crew a more practical and comfortable living space for time at sea.
A major focus during the design stage was hull efficiency. The hull was developed using CFD analysis to reduce resistance compared with earlier designs, despite the vessel being physically larger and carrying greater displacement. The design includes a prominent bulbous bow. This improves longitudinal stability, while the stern has been extended below the waterline to improve water flow and transom separation. Forward of the propeller, the bustle has also been carefully shaped around the gearbox to deliver a smooth flow of water to the propeller.
The exhaust trunks were routed aft and up the gantry, away from the wheelhouse, helping to reduce noise levels in both the wheelhouse and galley. The galley and mess area is also of generous size and around 25% bigger than previous builds.
Shaulora’s construction took place entirely under cover at Macduff Shipyards’ fabrication facility. The vessel has a steel hull with an aluminium wheelhouse and mast, with all components cut by Macduff Profilers using CNC plasma and gas cutting machinery. The steel kit was supplied by Macduff Ship Design who also inclined the vessel and prepared the stability booklet.
Power is provided by a 447kW Caterpillar C18 coupled to a Masson Marine W6000 gearbox with a 9.919:1 reduction ratio. This drives a 2300mm diameter, four blade Teignbridge propeller inside a high-thrust nozzle. Shaulora is the second newbuild delivered with this propulsion package, following the first fitted to Forever Faithful in 2025, which has already proved reliable and efficient in service.
The main engine is fitted with an SCR exhaust system, together with urea dosing and NOx monitoring equipment supplied by Finning Caterpillar, which reduced the Nox emissions from the engine in line with IMO Tier 3 requirements. A stainless-steel urea tank with a capacity of around 1200 litres is fitted below the fish hopper.
Cooling for the engines and hydraulic system is provided through closed-loop freshwater systems, with box coolers supplied by Blokland Non-Ferro.
Steering is by a triple-rudder system designed and fabricated by the yard, powered by a Scan Steering MT1000 steering gear unit. Sea trials showed Shaulora to have very responsive turning as well as very good course-keeping ability.
Hydraulic power is supplied primarily by a 129kW Mitsubishi 6D16 auxiliary engine, directly driving Kawasaki swash plate hydraulic pumps. In addition, two 45kW electric motors each drive an independent hydraulic pump. These can be used for net retrieval or to operate deck equipment in harbour while running only one generator set. The load-sensing hydraulic system, fitted with electric control valves and remote joysticks, delivers power only when required, helping to cut fuel use and reduce noise.
The deck machinery package was supplied by the yard and includes a triple-barrel trawl winch fitted with a Hägglunds Compact CA140 motor, along with two split net drums, each fitted with two Hägglunds Compact CA70 motors. Thistle Marine supplied the MFB8 landing crane and BK7 powerblock crane, both mounted on slew ring bases. A Dynamic S45 gilson winch is fitted for handling the catch, while two smaller general-purpose winches are installed aft on either side of the powerblock.
Electrical power is provided by two Mitsubishi generator sets, each rated at 98ekW, with capacity to run the vessel’s electrical load as well as one of the 45kW hydraulic motor pump sets. When both pump sets are required, the second generator can be brought online. Shaulora’s electrical system was designed and manufactured by R D Downie, which supplied the switchboards, motor drives, starter panels, fire, bilge and gas alarm panels, and battery systems.
Macduff designed the overall fish handling and processing system, while the catch handling equipment was built in marine-grade stainless steel by Northeast Fabricators.
Refrigeration was designed and installed by Premier Refrigeration, which also supplied and fitted the Geneglace 2.5-tonne ice maker. The equipment is housed in a dedicated compartment between the sorting area and the forward winch room.
The 500-box capacity fish hold has been finished with gel-coated fibreglass panels to a high standard. The cavities behind the linings have been pumped with high quality insulation to improve efficiency and maintain temperature. A fixed access ladder has also been built into the fish hold structure to improve crew safety.
