Rapp Marine have confirmed a new contract for complete electric deck machinery to a new pelagic trawler for the Research Fishing Company in Shetland. this represents a notable first for the Scottish/ Shetland pelagic fleet, as the new Research will feature a full electric deck machinery package.
‘Many thanks to Skippers Gary and Richard Williamson and partners of the Research Fishing Company for choosing Rapp Marine as their supplier for the third time, and this time choosing in particular our electric system as a solution for the future,’ said Rapp’s Morten Stenkjær, commenting that the very latest technology is used on all equipment on board this modern vessel and Rapp Marine’s contribution is no exception to this.
The owners’ main focus during the vessel’s design process was safety, efficiency, fish quality and crew comfort in fishing operations.
‘We felt that Rapp electric equipment would help in all those areas, with its efficient and near silent operation,’ confirmed Richard Williamson, skipper and partner in the Research Fishing Company.
‘Having now had twenty years experience with Rapp, we’ve found it to be very robust and reliable machinery while the aftercare and service has always been there when we’ve needed it, which has led to a very good working relationship between our engineers and Rapp both in Norway and the UK.’
The powerful main deck machinery onboard will include twin 90 tonne split trawl winches and a pair of 95 tonne net drums developed for efficient operation.
‘It is extremely gratifying that the Scottish/Shetland pelagic fleet is now acknowledging the significant technical and commercial benefits of installing Rapp Marine electrical deck machinery on their vessels,’ said Morten Stenkjær.
‘The pelagic fleet has traditionally been a loyal user of Rapp Marine hydraulic deck machinery over the years, machinery which was continuously developed in accordance with the clear requirements of, and feedback from the fishing fleet. When we developed the electrical equipment for the fishing fleet we based the technology on the same experiences, philosophy and reliability that has stood us in good stead over the years.’
The new Skipsteknisk-designed Research is being built by Vard Group in Norway and is scheduled to join the Whalsay fleet in September next year.
The full Rapp package for Research includes two 90 tonne trawl winches managed by a PTS-Pentagon system, two 95 tonne net drums, a 44 tonne tail end winch, a 57 tonne top line winch, four 5 tonne auxiliary winches, an anchor windlass and two net sounder winches, as well as nine 7 tonne mooring winches.
Research will be unique in having an electrical fish pump installation, with two electric fish pumps, two electric drives for the pumps, two 20-inch fish hose reels and an electrical cable reels for the fish pump.
The electrical main drive system for all EL-winches, with Active Front End including two Rectifier and internal DC link, is divided into two sections to allow the winches to operate with reduced capacity if one sections fails. System voltage: 3x440V / 60Hz and 2 x Power supply ea. 1000A, 1300kW. Nominal continuous duty at 440VAC.
