Brittany fishing company La Houle has finally taken delivery of its trawler Astrid, while three of the company’s older vessels will be decomissioned under the French government’s Brexit support plans.
La Houle took delivery of new twin-rigger Danny Finn at the end of 2021, and the intention had been to take delivery of a newbuild sister vessel from Vestværft – until the rising price of steel and related factors in the wake of the war in Ukraine meant that this was no longer an option.
Instead, a search began for a relatively new second-hand vessel and the result was a 24 metre trawler built in 2020 at the same yard for Norwegian owners BK Fisk, and it went to the yard in Hvide Sande to be outfitted for its new owners in Saint Guénolé.
The new Astrid didn’t get off to a great start, as a serious breakdown meant a return under tow meant a return to the shipyard under tow, and a new Caterpillar C32 main engine being installed – which also delayed the delivery that had been scheduled for December last year.
Like Danny Finn, Astrid will operate primarily on langoustine in the Celtic Sea.
The arrival of Astrid means that La Houle will be left with six operational trawlers once the older Horizon, Buccin and Ar Voaleden have been decommissioned.
