Nodosa shipyard celebrates the delivery of the new freezer trawler “PRION””

It has almost 2500 GT, 85 m-long and 14 m-width, thus becoming the largest fishing vessel built in recent years for that fleet

PETREL FISHING COMPANY LTD, owned by PESCAPUERTA Group and FORTUNA Group (its partner in the Falkland Islands), has received the new Freezer Trawler called “PRION”, which will be used for squid fishing in the Falkland Islands fishing grounds. “PRION” has almost 2500 GT, 85 metres in length and 14 metres in width, thus becoming the largest fishing vessel built in recent years for that fleet. “PRION” has been entirely designed and developed at the NODOSA Shipyard, in close collaboration with the shipowner's technical team.

Its delivery was formalised at an event held in Port of Marín, chaired by Xunta de Galicia president, Mr Alfonso Rueda, and attended by Jose Puerta Prado as President of PESCAPUERTA Group, Stuart Wallace representing FORTUNA Group, and José Ramón Regueira on behalf of NODOSA. The event was attended by some 400 guests, including employees of the shipyard and the ship-owning companies, clients, suppliers and common collaborators, as well as several authorities. Mrs Margarita Prado and Mrs Lilian Wallace acted as ship’s launching godmothers.

“PRION” becomes the most modern freezer built in Spain. It is a display of high technology, energy efficiency, catches’ optimisation, respect for the environment, comfort and safety for the crew. All these characteristics were basic premises on which the ship-owning company has placed great emphasis from the beginning of the design and which the shipyard has been shaping until they become reality.

With the reception of this new vessel, PESCAPUERTA and FORTUNA take another step in the fleet renewal process, which began three years ago with the construction of FALCON, also built by NODOSA and which has had excellent results in its first fishing campaigns.

During the presentation ceremony, Mr. Jose Puerta Prado took the opportunity to remember his father, Jose Puerta Oviedo, founder of PESCAPUERTA Group. All attendees were given a recently published book, which explains the origins of PESCAPUERTA and the “dreams come true” of its founder.

ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL EFFICIENCY

Both, main engine and auxiliary engines comply demanding regulations of the fishing ground in terms of emissions control and have been designed to always work at the best speeds, thus ensuring lower polluting emissions and greater savings in fuel consumption. After all, energy efficiency is environmental efficiency. For this purpose, an energy recovery system has been incorporated that allows the residual heat generated in the ship to be converted into electrical energy for consumption on board, which implies a reduction in the ship's consumption, making it more efficient and therefore more respectful of the environment since emissions are significantly reduced.

As for the coolant, ammonia has been chosen again (like the unit preceding it), which is more environmentally friendly since it exists in nature, does not harm the ozone layer and provides greater cooling capacity than others.

A relevant aspect in search of greater efficiency in navigation and work, which directly results in savings in energy consumption and therefore in greater environmental benefit, is the design of a completely optimized hull, where the figure of an inverted bow stands out on its own merits, the result of previous experiences and personalized studies for this purpose, also resulting in a very innovative aesthetic.

Other notable elements strengthening environmental protection are: the choice of silicone patents for the hull (which have proven to be more ecological and efficient in terms of consumption for this fishing ground), the existence of a tank to store biodegradable waste during the lifting and releasing manoeuvres of the rigging, an approved incinerator to avoid throwing any type of garbage into the sea and state-of-the-art aviaries for seabirds protection.

CREW SAFETY AND COMFORT

Thanks to an innovative and efficient design, the number of people needed for deck manoeuvres is reduced. Moreover, the crew will work better protected from weather harshness, which minimises the risk of accidents. A cabin has also been incorporated for greater comfort and safety for fishery observers. Three modern cranes installed on board will allow, due to their location and power, to carry out all types of manoeuvres on deck in the fastest and safest way, especially when loading and unloading. Habitability has been increased, which allows for an appropriate shifts and rest. Living conditions on board are also improved with the greatest possible number of individual and 2-person cabins.

For the design of the Factory, the ergonomic study that has given such good results in the “FALCON” has been repeated, which improves and facilitates the work of the operators. Likewise, the size of the containers is reduced, which avoids the handling of excessive weights. In addition, some demoulding, loading and unloading processes have been automated, thereby reducing and lightening human intervention in order to improve working conditions on board.