One of Iceland’s most successful pelagic vessels is now on the end of a tow – on its way to a breaker’s yard in Esbjerg. Despite efforts to find a buyer for the 74-metre Hólmaborg, owners Eskja finally took the decision to scrap the vessel – and it was an emotional moment for many as tug Grettir Sterki towed the veteran pelagic catcher on its last trip.
Under its various guises, Hólmaborg is estimated to have landed approximately 1.5 million tonnes over its 40-year career, as well as holding the Icelandic record for the most productive capelin season when it landed almost 51,000 tonnes in February and March 2002, accounting for more than half of the 91,000 tonnes it landed that year.
It was built in Sweden as Eldborg HF-13 and was delivered to its original owners in 1978. In 1988 it was sold to Eskifjörður to become Hólmaborg SU-11 and was lengthened in 1996 to increase its carrying capacity from 1600 to 2500 tonnes, making it one of the highest-capacity vessels in the Icelandic fleet at the time.
Thorsteinn Kristjánsson skippered Hólmaborg until 2006 when Eskja acquired Aðalsteinn Jónsson SU-11. At this point the vessel became Jón Kjartansson SU-111 and Grétar Rögnvarsson took over as skipper. The registration was changed to SU-311 when Eskja added to its fleet with the new Jón Kjartansson SU-111.
