Killybegs Port Profile – Pt 3
9th March 2016
The final instalment of our Killybegs port profile
SNG supplies wide range of demersal/midwater/static fishing gear and safety equipment
The well-known Killybegs company, Swan Net-Gundry (SNG) continues to meet high levels of demand from demersal, pelagic and inshore skippers for a full range of fishing gear.
In the demersal sector, double bag prawn trawls, which enable the net to retain its optimum shape for longer in heavier fishing, are proving popular and successful when used by the larger class of trawlers.
SNG pulling a torn midwater trawl off Pacelli for repair at Killybegs.
Earlier this month SNG supplied two double bag prawn trawls of a new design to Co Wexford skipper Richard Busher’s 25m trawler Ellie Adhamh WD 206, along with a single bag prawn trawl to Union Hall skipper Zeik Tuit’s 23m vessel Corona Gloria S 512.
Declan Clinton, the skipper of David and Niall Kirwan’s new 25.6m multi-rig prawn freezer Audacious DA 14, is reported to be delighted with the performance now being delivered by the full package of SNG fishing gear. This included two sets of 18-fathom quad-rig prawn trawls and one set of 26-fathom double bag twin-rig prawn trawls.
Work in progress on a new groundfish scraper trawl for Atlantic Quest.
Bottom trawls designer and sales representative, Johnny Gallagher, is very pleased with the progress of the company’s new designs, commenting: “These are the result of extensive design work and subsequent testing. We have utilised our new simulation programme and the flume tank in Hirtshals, Denmark, to maximum effect, in order to bring our trawls to the next level. Our aim is to offer customers new designs, manufactured to a very high standard, at affordable prices.”
On the pelagic front, SNG continues to receive good reports from skippers using the latest design of midwater trawls incorporating SNG’s new Helix self-spreading hydrodynamic technology, when fishing mackerel, scad and herring. The Helix or SS twine gives the midwater trawl a wider opening, with lower drag on the net, which is also an important feature for fishing scad. Feedback from SNG’s customers in Shetland, Scotland and Ireland, is that the stiff Helix twine is user-friendly when shooting and hauling, and the colour coding of the twine in the wings makes the trawl easy to distinguish for the crews.
New sections of net being inserted into a midwater net stretched out on SNG’s extensive runway.
The new eight-panelled back-end that SNG has incorporated into the company’s midwater trawls has also given good results, from feedback from skippers and crews during the recent mackerel and scad seasons, when they said that the back-end of the trawl stays open longer than the conventional design when the first volume of fish enters the brailler. To complement the new back-end technology on midwater trawls, SNG has also incorporated this new eight-panelled feature into the design of two new 38-fathom braillers for pumping over the stern for the new Western Viking, with DynIce over-braided splitters for easy movement of the rings on the brailler, and a selection of chandlery.
Having supplied mackerel/scad midwater trawls for the new pair-trawl threesome Carmarose, Colmcille and Westward Isle, SNG is now completing blue whiting trawls for the same boats.
Pelagic design manager Cathal Boyle, together with pelagic sales manager Bernie Cunningham, are currently discussing new gear packages with a number of skippers who are scheduled to take delivery of new midwater vessels in the next 18 months.
Sales of SNG’s range of crab/lobster pots and Polyex Plus potting ropes continue to rise dramatically.
SNG’s inshore fisheries manager Malachy Murrin and his dedicated team continue to deal with a succession of orders based on positive first-hand experience from static gear fishermen for the Polyex Plus range of 12mm, 14mm and 16mm-diameter leaded and unleaded potting ropes, which are the number one choice of many inshore fisherman. The Polyex Plus range has also been well received by skippers at Bridlington, the UK’s biggest shellfish port.
SNG’s range of brown crab and lobster pots, manufactured by Meizhongda Fishing Gear, continues to earn a growing reputation in the inshore sector, as a result of which the company’s pot sales have increased dramatically over the past four years.
EK Marine secures large deck machinery order for Scotland
EK Marine Ltd recently secured the order to supply the full hydraulic deck machinery package for Fraserburgh skipper Stephen West’s new 23.95m twin-rig trawler, now being built by Parkol Marine Engineering at Whitby.
Eunan Kennedy – EK Marine MD.
Skipper Stephen West, accompanied by Parkol directors Andrew Oliver and James Morrison, met EK Marine MD Eunan Kennedy in Killybegs in November 2015, to discuss the customised deck machinery package, before the final specification was agreed
Breaking into the UK market is the latest in a series of significant developments for EK Marine, which in the past two years has supplied full deck machinery packages for five new Irish vessels.
Scheduled for delivery to Whitby in June, skipper Stephen West’s package is of a bespoke design, developed in liaison with the owner and yard, to ensure an exact match with the space available and the preferred deck layout and working arrangements. The resulting tailor-made machinery maintains EK Marine’s policy of meeting its client’s exact needs.
Manufacture of Stephen West’s deck machinery equipment is scheduled to start in Killybegs this month. The order includes a three-barrel 2-speed trawl winch (35t) with a drum capacity for 750 fathoms of 22mm-diameter wire. This heavy-duty unit will be fabricated from special Hardox steel plate, to give weight-saving benefits, and fitted with high specification SKF bearings and Hägglunds compact motors.
Similar materials and parts will be used for the two 2 x 12t split net drums and a 7.5t Gilson winch.
EK Marine will also manufacture a knuckle boom powerblock (1.5t @ 6.7m) and a 24in W-sheave powerblock with 360° slewing facility. A stiff boom landing (1t @ 8m) crane will also be supplied. When fabrication is complete, the units will be shot blasted and metalised before being coated with two coats of undercoat and two coats of gloss paint.
Eunan Kennedy said: “We are delighted that Stephen West and Parkol decided to place their order with us. As the first deck machinery package for the UK market, the order is particularly significant for EK Marine.
In addition to the wheelhouse trawling console and associated equipment, EK Marine will also supply load-sensing hydraulic pumps, which will also be a notable first for this class of Scottish twin-rig trawler.
EK Marine supplied three complete packages of hydraulic deck machinery to the midwater sisterships Carmarose, Colmcille and Westward Isle.
Last year EK Marine manufactured full deck machinery packages, including split trawl winches, two net drums, two deck cranes and top/midline winches, for the three identical 27.35m midwater pair trawlers Carmarose, Colmcille and Westward Isle, delivered to Killybegs owners by Vestværftet ApS.
EK Marine also supplied the deck machinery now in use on David and Niall Kirwan’s 25.6m prawn freezer trawler Audacious DA 14. This package, similar to the one manufactured for Patrick C 12 months earlier, also included 3 x 15t split trawl winches, two 2 x 12t net drums, Gilson winch and landing crane.
Eunan Kennedy established EK Marine Ltd at Killybegs in 1999. In the formative years the company supplied and fitted deck machinery to a number of new fishing vessels in America, including Challenge, Enterprise, Voyager and Western Venture II.
Closer to home, EK Marine has supplied a variety of split trawl and top line winches to a number of the larger class of Irish midwater vessels.
With a workforce of 42, EK Marine designs and manufactures all deck machinery in-house. EK Marine carries an extensive range of spares in stock at all times. For more details, visit ekmarine.ie
Barry Electronics Limited
By displaying and demonstrating a wide range of live equipment at the Skipper Expo in Galway early in March, Barry Electronics Ltd of Killybegs provided inshore skippers with a one-stop electronics shop.
Carmarose was one of four new Killybegs midwater vessels BEL supplied and installed full packages of wheelhouse electronic equipment to in 2015.
BEL MD Chris Joyce told Fishing News: “John Cormack and I were on the stand to give advice and help to inshore skippers on their specific requirements, and discuss the various alternatives and options that are available. A wide range of VHFs/echo sounders/radars/chart plotters/autopilots/AIS receivers, indeed, everything that a skipper needs to fit out a new inshore boat was on display. Particular emphasis was also given to personal safety equipment, with a full suite of PLBs and fully float-free EPRIBS displayed on the BEL stand. The Skipper Expo is a great place to meet old and new customers alike, when everyone has the opportunity to bounce ideas off each other in relation to possible new projects.”
Working from its modern premises overlooking Killybegs harbour, which include extensive test and repair facilities, Barry Electronics’ team of engineers provide a comprehensive maintenance service to all types of vessel.
Last year BEL engineers spent considerable amounts of time in Hvide Sande and Skagen, installing comprehensive packages of electronic equipment in the wheelhouses of the new midwater trawlers Carmarose, Colmcille, Westward Isle and Western Viking. These packages included Simrad SU-93 low-frequency (20kHz/30kHz) and Simrad SH-90 high-frequency (114kHz) omnidirectional sonars; WAASP multibeam sounder; Simrad ES-70 and Furuno FSV-1200 sounders, Simrad FS-70 Trawl sonar, Marel M2200 electronic fish sampling scales, Furuno FAR 2117 X Band radars; MaxSea Time Zero, Olex 3D and Sodena Easy Win plotting systems, Furuno and Sailor RTs and VHFs.
All four vessels are also using BEL’S VSAT Ku-band satellite systems, which are now also proving popular with whitefish boats in the Irish fleet.
At a time when inshore skippers are showing considerable interest in new under-10m boats, BEL continues to supply and install full packages to a number of boatbuilders in Ireland, including G Smyth Boats at Kilkeel, where two boats are currently at an advanced stage of completion.
SeaQuest meets high levels of demand for fish pumps and deck cranes
The optimum quality of pelagic fish delivered by SeaQuest fish pumps, manufactured in Killybegs by SeaQuest Systems, continues to yield a steady flow of new orders.
Renowned for their significant catch quality and pumping capacity, the 24-inch fish pumps have become very popular with the new class of larger pelagic trawlers of 70m and over. In the last year, Karstensen Shipyard has taken delivery of 11 SeaQuest fish pumps, including three each for use on the new Danish midwater vessels Ruth (LOA 88m) and Beinur (LOA 78m).
Last year three 14-inch fish pumps were supplied to the new Carmarose, Colmcille and Westward Isle, at the same time as SeaQuest manufactured its first 16-inch pump for Killybegs skipper Michael Callaghan’s newly-lengthened midwater pair-trawler, Pacelli.
A SeaQuest engineer assembling a 24in fish-pump, which is now being widely used by the new class of larger pelagic vessels.
Four 24-inch SeaQuest fish pumps are now being manufactured for delivery to the new Peterhead 78m pelagic vessels Kings Cross and Pathway. SeaQuest Systems also supplied a new 24-inch pump to the present Pathway at extremely short notice at the end of 2015, in time for commissioning before the start of the mackerel fishery in January, since when the skipper and crew are reported to be delighted with the ease of operation and the quality of fish being delivered.
Another two 24-inch SeaQuest fish pumps have been ordered by Fraserburgh skipper William Whyte Jr. for use on the new 69.95m midwater trawler Grateful, which Karstensen Shipyard will deliver to the Eshcol Fishing Company in 2017.
Designed for pumping pelagic fish at the stern, Grateful represents a significant order for SeaQuest Systems, as it will be the first new Scottish pelagic vessel to feature SeaQuest cranes.
Last year, SeaQuest Systems delivered a stern-gantry-mounted crane and fish pump to Shetland skipper George William Anderson for installation on Adenia, when the midwater trawler was lengthened and upgraded by Karstensen. This gave the shipyard and owners first-hand experience of the quality of design and workmanship SeaQuest Systems produces and they were very impressed with the results.
With a reach of 14m, and lifting capacity of 4t @ maximum radius, the two aft cranes now scheduled for delivery to Grateful will be mounted on the trawl gantry. A 2t power block, featuring hydraulic tilt and continual rotation, will be fitted to each crane. The continual rotation facility on the power block is an extremely useful feature for mending midwater trawls, or taking twists out of the net, brailler, or bridles.
The jib sections of the gantry cranes are custom-designed and built, so that the operator gets maximum usage from the crane; to get down to the main deck to pick up the net in the power block, to get the stern fish pump in and out with ease, and when reaching over the gantry to the trawl doors.
The radio-control unit for the fish pump crane will also enable the user to operate the hose reels, allowing one man to take control of everything.
Grateful’s forward crane will be a knuckle-boom unit, with a reach of 18m, and lifting capacity of 4t and will be able to remotely stop/start the vacuum pumps.
In order to ensure continuity throughout a trip, all three cranes will use the same style of radio-control unit. In the unlikely event of one control unit being dropped in heavy weather, this will allow the operator to ‘borrow’ another crane’s transmitter by swapping out a SIM-card style chip mounted in the unit. It also allows a vessel to carry a spare transmitter (should they wish to) that will cover all three cranes.
SeaQuest Systems expressed its thanks to the Whyte family, and Karstensen, for the Grateful order, which it feels is the start of many more to come.
Founded by Bert Leslie as Fluid Controls Ltd, before being renamed, SeaQuest Systems is very much a family business, with the four brothers Brian, Brendan, Neil and Sean Leslie today working alongside their father and managing director Bert.
As SeaQuest Systems expanded its customer base to such diverse locations as Chile, China, Holland, India, Japan, Peru, Russia and Scandinavia, the decision was taken to develop its manufacturing facilities.
Two years ago, SeaQuest Systems moved into purpose-built premises, offering 35,000 square feet of manufacturing space and combining overhead lifting capacity of over 50t, with room for further expansion. With a staff of 40 and a strong order book, this option is now being considered as the company continues to expand both its product range and international customer base.
The new net and fish-pump handling crane that is now being fitted to the Castletownbere midwater trawler Ronan Ross.
All products are computer designed and manufactured to ensure maximum accuracy and consistency throughout the entire sequence, from customer consultation to final production. This hi-tech process ensures that SeaQuest is widely recognised worldwide for its excellence of design, sturdy construction, and superior performance.
SeaQuest engineers are currently fitting a new bespoke crane to the 37m Castletownbere midwater trawler Ronan Ross S 412. Providing a 2t reach at 9m, the crane is fitted with a power block head, offering endless rotation to enable the crew to quickly deal with a twisted brailler. A tilt facility also ensures clear lifting of the fish pump at the stern of the vessel. The most recent crane installation was done on Ballglass pier in Co Mayo. This was a 9m 2.5t knuckle boom unit.
In addition to featuring stainless steel as standard, after fabrication all SeaQuest products are sand blasted and metalised in preparation for the final protective coatings.
The wide range of cranes and fish-pumps manufactured by SeaQuest continue to attract a lot of interest from Danish and Norwegian skippers, who regularly visit the factory when their vessels are landing in Killybegs.
Mooney Boats provide impressive one-stop-shop facility
From a new pair of sea boots to a new vessel, servicing a PFD or refurbishing any vessel, Mooney Boats Ltd provides a one-stop facility that is probably the only one of its kind in Ireland and the UK.
MD Lee Mooney in the yard’s well-equipped machine shop.
That Mooney Boats has delivered two new twin-rig prawn freezer trawlers, the 23.99m Patrick C DA 107 and the 25.6m Audacious DA 14, to Clogherhead owners in the past 14 months, provides a clear snapshot of the standing the Killybegs company has in Ireland, and what MD Lee Mooney and his workforce of 53 are all about
Having recently refurbished the fire-damaged Howth prawn trawler John B DA 39, Mooney is now midway through completing a major overhaul on the 20m vivier-crabber Amy Jane II SO 876, which was bought by McBride Fishing Company as Aine Patricia SD 987, after being tied up for over two years.
Plasma profiling and plate-bending equipment are positioned ahead of the main new build area.
Refurbishment of Amy Jane II, which is scheduled for completion next month, includes overhauling the Caterpillar 3412 main engine and rebuilding the crabber’s two auxiliary engines, fitting new exhaust systems, refurbishing the stern gear, and stripping back the vessel’s hydraulic system, together with a range of relatively smaller but equally essential modernisation work. On completion of this refurbishment schedule, Amy Jane II will be moved into the adjacent painting hall to be fully sandblasted, metalised and repainted.
That every aspect of the work associated with new builds and major vessel refits is completed in-house by Mooney Boats, highlights the experienced tradesmen employed, as well as the extensive modern facilities they work from.
A newly painted John B is rolled out of Killybegs’ maintenance hall.
Currently housing the Achill Island lifeboat and a 15m new-build, the main fabrication hall still provides a large expanse of floor space. Part of this is allocated to the storage of steel plate, which after being offloaded from delivery lorries is then profiled using the latest CNC cutting equipment, before being transferring to bending and rolling equipment, prior to being moved further down the hall to the main new boat fabrication area.
Adjacent engineering hydraulic and joinery shops house the latest computer-operated machinery, on which the stern of new builds and vessels in for refit are either produced from scratch or refurbished.
Equally impressive is the large staff canteen area, positioned on the upper floor, above the equally modern and spacious offices and design facilities.
In close proximity to the boatyard and engineering premises, a modern two-storey building houses a vast array of chandlery. Well over 200,000 different items are kept in stock at all times. AAA LED lighting, Blueline, Cleghorn, Desmi, Guerra, Jotun, Norsap and Stormline are just a few of the well-known brand names which a succession of local and visiting fishermen walk through the doors to source, secure in the knowledge that they will find what they are looking for in Mooney Boats’ one-stop-shop.
John B returns to Howth following extensive refurbishment
The 23m twin-rig prawn freezer trawler John B DA 39 returned to Howth and resumed fishing towards the end of last month, after being extensively refurbished by Mooney Boats.
Owned by Rockabill Seafoods Ltd of Balbriggan, it arrived at Killybegs four months ago after a serious fire caused extensive damage to the trawler’s wheelhouse.
Although Mooney Boats was busy completing the new 25.6m Audacious DA 14, MD Lee Mooney was able to allocate a team of tradesmen to begin work on John B.
The wheelhouse was completely stripped back to the bare shell and cleaned before being reinsulated. At the same time as joiners started to reline the interior and fit a new modern console – into which new electronics equipment supplied by Jonathan Kennedy, of Marine Fleet Electronics of Killybegs, was installed – the wheelhouse was extended aft to create a separate skipper’s cabin.
John B was also completely rewired by Mooney, with new 24V and 220V 3-phase systems being fitted.
On the main deck, the sides of the shelterdeck were extended further aft to provide enhance protection for the crew working at the stern. A new aluminium catch hopper was also fabricated and fitted on the quarter.
A new net drum, supplied by EK Marine, was mounted on the underside of the shelterdeck.
On completion of all structural work, John B was taken from the water by syncrolift before being accommodated in Killybegs’ vessel maintenance hall, where the hull was sandblasted and metalised before being painted externally with Jotun coatings.
The final instalment of our Killybegs port profile
SNG supplies wide range of demersal/midwater/static fishing gear and safety equipment The well-known Killybegs company, Swan Net-Gundry (SNG) continues to meet high levels of demand from demersal, pelagic and inshore skippers for a full range of fishing gear. In the demersal sector, double bag prawn trawls, which enable the net to retain its optimum shape for longer in heavier fishing, are proving popular and successful when used by the larger class of trawlers.
SNG pulling a torn midwater trawl off Pacelli for repair at Killybegs.
Earlier this month SNG supplied two double bag prawn trawls of a new design to Co Wexford skipper Richard Busher’s 25m trawler Ellie Adhamh WD 206, along with a single bag prawn trawl to Union Hall skipper Zeik Tuit’s 23m vessel Corona Gloria S 512. Declan Clinton, the skipper of David and Niall Kirwan’s new 25.6m multi-rig prawn freezer Audacious DA 14, is reported to be delighted with the performance now being delivered by the full package of SNG fishing gear. This included two sets of 18-fathom quad-rig prawn trawls and one set of 26-fathom double bag twin-rig prawn trawls.
Work in progress on a new groundfish scraper trawl for Atlantic Quest.
Bottom trawls designer and sales representative, Johnny Gallagher, is very pleased with the progress of the company’s new designs, commenting: “These are the result of extensive design work and subsequent testing. We have utilised our new simulation programme and the flume tank in Hirtshals, Denmark, to maximum effect, in order to bring our trawls to the next level. Our aim is to offer customers new designs, manufactured to a very high standard, at affordable prices.” On the pelagic front, SNG continues to receive good reports from skippers using the latest design of midwater trawls incorporating SNG’s new Helix self-spreading hydrodynamic technology, when fishing mackerel, scad and herring. The Helix or SS twine gives the midwater trawl a wider opening, with lower drag on the net, which is also an important feature for fishing scad. Feedback from SNG’s customers in Shetland, Scotland and Ireland, is that the stiff Helix twine is user-friendly when shooting and hauling, and the colour coding of the twine in the wings makes the trawl easy to distinguish for the crews.
New sections of net being inserted into a midwater net stretched out on SNG’s extensive runway.
The new eight-panelled back-end that SNG has incorporated into the company’s midwater trawls has also given good results, from feedback from skippers and crews during the recent mackerel and scad seasons, when they said that the back-end of the trawl stays open longer than the conventional design when the first volume of fish enters the brailler. To complement the new back-end technology on midwater trawls, SNG has also incorporated this new eight-panelled feature into the design of two new 38-fathom braillers for pumping over the stern for the new Western Viking, with DynIce over-braided splitters for easy movement of the rings on the brailler, and a selection of chandlery. Having supplied mackerel/scad midwater trawls for the new pair-trawl threesome Carmarose, Colmcille and Westward Isle, SNG is now completing blue whiting trawls for the same boats. Pelagic design manager Cathal Boyle, together with pelagic sales manager Bernie Cunningham, are currently discussing new gear packages with a number of skippers who are scheduled to take delivery of new midwater vessels in the next 18 months.
Sales of SNG’s range of crab/lobster pots and Polyex Plus potting ropes continue to rise dramatically.
SNG’s inshore fisheries manager Malachy Murrin and his dedicated team continue to deal with a succession of orders based on positive first-hand experience from static gear fishermen for the Polyex Plus range of 12mm, 14mm and 16mm-diameter leaded and unleaded potting ropes, which are the number one choice of many inshore fisherman. The Polyex Plus range has also been well received by skippers at Bridlington, the UK’s biggest shellfish port. SNG’s range of brown crab and lobster pots, manufactured by Meizhongda Fishing Gear, continues to earn a growing reputation in the inshore sector, as a result of which the company’s pot sales have increased dramatically over the past four years.
EK Marine secures large deck machinery order for Scotland EK Marine Ltd recently secured the order to supply the full hydraulic deck machinery package for Fraserburgh skipper Stephen West’s new 23.95m twin-rig trawler, now being built by Parkol Marine Engineering at Whitby.
Eunan Kennedy – EK Marine MD.
Skipper Stephen West, accompanied by Parkol directors Andrew Oliver and James Morrison, met EK Marine MD Eunan Kennedy in Killybegs in November 2015, to discuss the customised deck machinery package, before the final specification was agreed Breaking into the UK market is the latest in a series of significant developments for EK Marine, which in the past two years has supplied full deck machinery packages for five new Irish vessels. Scheduled for delivery to Whitby in June, skipper Stephen West’s package is of a bespoke design, developed in liaison with the owner and yard, to ensure an exact match with the space available and the preferred deck layout and working arrangements. The resulting tailor-made machinery maintains EK Marine’s policy of meeting its client’s exact needs. Manufacture of Stephen West’s deck machinery equipment is scheduled to start in Killybegs this month. The order includes a three-barrel 2-speed trawl winch (35t) with a drum capacity for 750 fathoms of 22mm-diameter wire. This heavy-duty unit will be fabricated from special Hardox steel plate, to give weight-saving benefits, and fitted with high specification SKF bearings and Hägglunds compact motors. Similar materials and parts will be used for the two 2 x 12t split net drums and a 7.5t Gilson winch. EK Marine will also manufacture a knuckle boom powerblock (1.5t @ 6.7m) and a 24in W-sheave powerblock with 360° slewing facility. A stiff boom landing (1t @ 8m) crane will also be supplied. When fabrication is complete, the units will be shot blasted and metalised before being coated with two coats of undercoat and two coats of gloss paint. Eunan Kennedy said: “We are delighted that Stephen West and Parkol decided to place their order with us. As the first deck machinery package for the UK market, the order is particularly significant for EK Marine. In addition to the wheelhouse trawling console and associated equipment, EK Marine will also supply load-sensing hydraulic pumps, which will also be a notable first for this class of Scottish twin-rig trawler.
EK Marine supplied three complete packages of hydraulic deck machinery to the midwater sisterships Carmarose, Colmcille and Westward Isle.
Last year EK Marine manufactured full deck machinery packages, including split trawl winches, two net drums, two deck cranes and top/midline winches, for the three identical 27.35m midwater pair trawlers Carmarose, Colmcille and Westward Isle, delivered to Killybegs owners by Vestværftet ApS. EK Marine also supplied the deck machinery now in use on David and Niall Kirwan’s 25.6m prawn freezer trawler Audacious DA 14. This package, similar to the one manufactured for Patrick C 12 months earlier, also included 3 x 15t split trawl winches, two 2 x 12t net drums, Gilson winch and landing crane. Eunan Kennedy established EK Marine Ltd at Killybegs in 1999. In the formative years the company supplied and fitted deck machinery to a number of new fishing vessels in America, including Challenge, Enterprise, Voyager and Western Venture II. Closer to home, EK Marine has supplied a variety of split trawl and top line winches to a number of the larger class of Irish midwater vessels. With a workforce of 42, EK Marine designs and manufactures all deck machinery in-house. EK Marine carries an extensive range of spares in stock at all times. For more details, visit ekmarine.ie
Barry Electronics Limited By displaying and demonstrating a wide range of live equipment at the Skipper Expo in Galway early in March, Barry Electronics Ltd of Killybegs provided inshore skippers with a one-stop electronics shop.
Carmarose was one of four new Killybegs midwater vessels BEL supplied and installed full packages of wheelhouse electronic equipment to in 2015.
BEL MD Chris Joyce told Fishing News: “John Cormack and I were on the stand to give advice and help to inshore skippers on their specific requirements, and discuss the various alternatives and options that are available. A wide range of VHFs/echo sounders/radars/chart plotters/autopilots/AIS receivers, indeed, everything that a skipper needs to fit out a new inshore boat was on display. Particular emphasis was also given to personal safety equipment, with a full suite of PLBs and fully float-free EPRIBS displayed on the BEL stand. The Skipper Expo is a great place to meet old and new customers alike, when everyone has the opportunity to bounce ideas off each other in relation to possible new projects.” Working from its modern premises overlooking Killybegs harbour, which include extensive test and repair facilities, Barry Electronics’ team of engineers provide a comprehensive maintenance service to all types of vessel. Last year BEL engineers spent considerable amounts of time in Hvide Sande and Skagen, installing comprehensive packages of electronic equipment in the wheelhouses of the new midwater trawlers Carmarose, Colmcille, Westward Isle and Western Viking. These packages included Simrad SU-93 low-frequency (20kHz/30kHz) and Simrad SH-90 high-frequency (114kHz) omnidirectional sonars; WAASP multibeam sounder; Simrad ES-70 and Furuno FSV-1200 sounders, Simrad FS-70 Trawl sonar, Marel M2200 electronic fish sampling scales, Furuno FAR 2117 X Band radars; MaxSea Time Zero, Olex 3D and Sodena Easy Win plotting systems, Furuno and Sailor RTs and VHFs. All four vessels are also using BEL’S VSAT Ku-band satellite systems, which are now also proving popular with whitefish boats in the Irish fleet. At a time when inshore skippers are showing considerable interest in new under-10m boats, BEL continues to supply and install full packages to a number of boatbuilders in Ireland, including G Smyth Boats at Kilkeel, where two boats are currently at an advanced stage of completion.
SeaQuest meets high levels of demand for fish pumps and deck cranes The optimum quality of pelagic fish delivered by SeaQuest fish pumps, manufactured in Killybegs by SeaQuest Systems, continues to yield a steady flow of new orders. Renowned for their significant catch quality and pumping capacity, the 24-inch fish pumps have become very popular with the new class of larger pelagic trawlers of 70m and over. In the last year, Karstensen Shipyard has taken delivery of 11 SeaQuest fish pumps, including three each for use on the new Danish midwater vessels Ruth (LOA 88m) and Beinur (LOA 78m). Last year three 14-inch fish pumps were supplied to the new Carmarose, Colmcille and Westward Isle, at the same time as SeaQuest manufactured its first 16-inch pump for Killybegs skipper Michael Callaghan’s newly-lengthened midwater pair-trawler, Pacelli.
A SeaQuest engineer assembling a 24in fish-pump, which is now being widely used by the new class of larger pelagic vessels.
Four 24-inch SeaQuest fish pumps are now being manufactured for delivery to the new Peterhead 78m pelagic vessels Kings Cross and Pathway. SeaQuest Systems also supplied a new 24-inch pump to the present Pathway at extremely short notice at the end of 2015, in time for commissioning before the start of the mackerel fishery in January, since when the skipper and crew are reported to be delighted with the ease of operation and the quality of fish being delivered. Another two 24-inch SeaQuest fish pumps have been ordered by Fraserburgh skipper William Whyte Jr. for use on the new 69.95m midwater trawler Grateful, which Karstensen Shipyard will deliver to the Eshcol Fishing Company in 2017. Designed for pumping pelagic fish at the stern, Grateful represents a significant order for SeaQuest Systems, as it will be the first new Scottish pelagic vessel to feature SeaQuest cranes. Last year, SeaQuest Systems delivered a stern-gantry-mounted crane and fish pump to Shetland skipper George William Anderson for installation on Adenia, when the midwater trawler was lengthened and upgraded by Karstensen. This gave the shipyard and owners first-hand experience of the quality of design and workmanship SeaQuest Systems produces and they were very impressed with the results. With a reach of 14m, and lifting capacity of 4t @ maximum radius, the two aft cranes now scheduled for delivery to Grateful will be mounted on the trawl gantry. A 2t power block, featuring hydraulic tilt and continual rotation, will be fitted to each crane. The continual rotation facility on the power block is an extremely useful feature for mending midwater trawls, or taking twists out of the net, brailler, or bridles. The jib sections of the gantry cranes are custom-designed and built, so that the operator gets maximum usage from the crane; to get down to the main deck to pick up the net in the power block, to get the stern fish pump in and out with ease, and when reaching over the gantry to the trawl doors. The radio-control unit for the fish pump crane will also enable the user to operate the hose reels, allowing one man to take control of everything. Grateful’s forward crane will be a knuckle-boom unit, with a reach of 18m, and lifting capacity of 4t and will be able to remotely stop/start the vacuum pumps. In order to ensure continuity throughout a trip, all three cranes will use the same style of radio-control unit. In the unlikely event of one control unit being dropped in heavy weather, this will allow the operator to ‘borrow’ another crane’s transmitter by swapping out a SIM-card style chip mounted in the unit. It also allows a vessel to carry a spare transmitter (should they wish to) that will cover all three cranes. SeaQuest Systems expressed its thanks to the Whyte family, and Karstensen, for the Grateful order, which it feels is the start of many more to come. Founded by Bert Leslie as Fluid Controls Ltd, before being renamed, SeaQuest Systems is very much a family business, with the four brothers Brian, Brendan, Neil and Sean Leslie today working alongside their father and managing director Bert. As SeaQuest Systems expanded its customer base to such diverse locations as Chile, China, Holland, India, Japan, Peru, Russia and Scandinavia, the decision was taken to develop its manufacturing facilities. Two years ago, SeaQuest Systems moved into purpose-built premises, offering 35,000 square feet of manufacturing space and combining overhead lifting capacity of over 50t, with room for further expansion. With a staff of 40 and a strong order book, this option is now being considered as the company continues to expand both its product range and international customer base.
The new net and fish-pump handling crane that is now being fitted to the Castletownbere midwater trawler Ronan Ross.
All products are computer designed and manufactured to ensure maximum accuracy and consistency throughout the entire sequence, from customer consultation to final production. This hi-tech process ensures that SeaQuest is widely recognised worldwide for its excellence of design, sturdy construction, and superior performance. SeaQuest engineers are currently fitting a new bespoke crane to the 37m Castletownbere midwater trawler Ronan Ross S 412. Providing a 2t reach at 9m, the crane is fitted with a power block head, offering endless rotation to enable the crew to quickly deal with a twisted brailler. A tilt facility also ensures clear lifting of the fish pump at the stern of the vessel. The most recent crane installation was done on Ballglass pier in Co Mayo. This was a 9m 2.5t knuckle boom unit. In addition to featuring stainless steel as standard, after fabrication all SeaQuest products are sand blasted and metalised in preparation for the final protective coatings. The wide range of cranes and fish-pumps manufactured by SeaQuest continue to attract a lot of interest from Danish and Norwegian skippers, who regularly visit the factory when their vessels are landing in Killybegs.
Mooney Boats provide impressive one-stop-shop facility From a new pair of sea boots to a new vessel, servicing a PFD or refurbishing any vessel, Mooney Boats Ltd provides a one-stop facility that is probably the only one of its kind in Ireland and the UK.
MD Lee Mooney in the yard’s well-equipped machine shop.
That Mooney Boats has delivered two new twin-rig prawn freezer trawlers, the 23.99m Patrick C DA 107 and the 25.6m Audacious DA 14, to Clogherhead owners in the past 14 months, provides a clear snapshot of the standing the Killybegs company has in Ireland, and what MD Lee Mooney and his workforce of 53 are all about Having recently refurbished the fire-damaged Howth prawn trawler John B DA 39, Mooney is now midway through completing a major overhaul on the 20m vivier-crabber Amy Jane II SO 876, which was bought by McBride Fishing Company as Aine Patricia SD 987, after being tied up for over two years.
Plasma profiling and plate-bending equipment are positioned ahead of the main new build area.
Refurbishment of Amy Jane II, which is scheduled for completion next month, includes overhauling the Caterpillar 3412 main engine and rebuilding the crabber’s two auxiliary engines, fitting new exhaust systems, refurbishing the stern gear, and stripping back the vessel’s hydraulic system, together with a range of relatively smaller but equally essential modernisation work. On completion of this refurbishment schedule, Amy Jane II will be moved into the adjacent painting hall to be fully sandblasted, metalised and repainted. That every aspect of the work associated with new builds and major vessel refits is completed in-house by Mooney Boats, highlights the experienced tradesmen employed, as well as the extensive modern facilities they work from.
A newly painted John B is rolled out of Killybegs’ maintenance hall.
Currently housing the Achill Island lifeboat and a 15m new-build, the main fabrication hall still provides a large expanse of floor space. Part of this is allocated to the storage of steel plate, which after being offloaded from delivery lorries is then profiled using the latest CNC cutting equipment, before being transferring to bending and rolling equipment, prior to being moved further down the hall to the main new boat fabrication area. Adjacent engineering hydraulic and joinery shops house the latest computer-operated machinery, on which the stern of new builds and vessels in for refit are either produced from scratch or refurbished. Equally impressive is the large staff canteen area, positioned on the upper floor, above the equally modern and spacious offices and design facilities. In close proximity to the boatyard and engineering premises, a modern two-storey building houses a vast array of chandlery. Well over 200,000 different items are kept in stock at all times. AAA LED lighting, Blueline, Cleghorn, Desmi, Guerra, Jotun, Norsap and Stormline are just a few of the well-known brand names which a succession of local and visiting fishermen walk through the doors to source, secure in the knowledge that they will find what they are looking for in Mooney Boats’ one-stop-shop.
John B returns to Howth following extensive refurbishment The 23m twin-rig prawn freezer trawler John B DA 39 returned to Howth and resumed fishing towards the end of last month, after being extensively refurbished by Mooney Boats. Owned by Rockabill Seafoods Ltd of Balbriggan, it arrived at Killybegs four months ago after a serious fire caused extensive damage to the trawler’s wheelhouse. Although Mooney Boats was busy completing the new 25.6m Audacious DA 14, MD Lee Mooney was able to allocate a team of tradesmen to begin work on John B. The wheelhouse was completely stripped back to the bare shell and cleaned before being reinsulated. At the same time as joiners started to reline the interior and fit a new modern console – into which new electronics equipment supplied by Jonathan Kennedy, of Marine Fleet Electronics of Killybegs, was installed – the wheelhouse was extended aft to create a separate skipper’s cabin. John B was also completely rewired by Mooney, with new 24V and 220V 3-phase systems being fitted. On the main deck, the sides of the shelterdeck were extended further aft to provide enhance protection for the crew working at the stern. A new aluminium catch hopper was also fabricated and fitted on the quarter. A new net drum, supplied by EK Marine, was mounted on the underside of the shelterdeck. On completion of all structural work, John B was taken from the water by syncrolift before being accommodated in Killybegs’ vessel maintenance hall, where the hull was sandblasted and metalised before being painted externally with Jotun coatings.
