Fishing News Awards: Under-15m Boat of the Year

The Fishing News Awards’ Under-15m Boat of the Year award, which will be judged by an industry panel, will be made to a new or significantly rebuilt vessel under 15m LOA that joined the UK or Irish fleets in 2023, and demonstrates excellence and innovation in its build and facilities.

Find out this year’s shortlist…

Beryl M SS 8

With a hull built at Anderson Marine in Peterhead, and a fit-out at H Baumbach & Sons in North Cornwall, this is possibly the strongest and most robust K26 ever built! For skipper/owner Ben Eglinton, the vessel was designed to be multipurpose – a decision already justified with the addition of a bluefin tuna licence by the time the vessel was launched in Hayle. With an aft wheelhouse, and duplicate controls forward, the vessel can be worked safely single-handed.

Lorna Jane CN 73

The first repurposed boat to be entered for Boat of the Year, this modified C21 is the UK’s first solar-powered fishing vessel. Owner Hans Unkles undertook the work himself, installing 45kW of battery power, a shelterdeck made of solar panels, and a 20kW electric power pod that gives an operating speed of five to six knots. Working fleets of 36in parlour creels for lobsters, for six months a year the vessel operates entirely on solar power.

Inter Nos PZ 46

This 14.95m GRP G Smyth Maxus catamaran was built and fitted out at the Smyth yard in Kilkeel for owners Will Treneer and Elizabeth and Sam Lambourn, and incorporates a host of features likely to become the ‘new normal’ in the successful Cornish sardine fishery. Powered by twin 253kW Volvos, it features an innovative pumping system allowing rapid emptying of the four 5t fish holds, reducing handling time and maximising catch quality.

Galatea K 112

This 14.9m Smyth catamaran, built for the Tulloch family in Orkney, was fitted out on the Isle of Lewis by Murdo Kennedy at Marvig Boatyard. Working in the iconic Orkney crab fishery, its huge deckspace is complemented by a cat catcher and rails, all built in stainless steel, allowing the boat to rapidly move gear when needed. A spacious galley and accommodation will allow for multi-day trips if fishing patterns change.

Davlin FR 38

A first fit-out for Whitby-based JCF Marine, with a Tommy Poleson hull, this 7m potter has the hallmarks and feel of a much bigger vessel. Owner David Macdonald, moving to potting after a successful career on larger vessels, saw the vessel fitted out from stem to stern with the highest spec and toughest components and equipment available, stretching even to remotely monitored engineroom and hold cameras!

Four Sons BM 68

Brixham skipper Derek Meredith chose a multipurpose design for his C Toms vessel, with the option to switch to stern trawling, and the wish to minimise fuel consumption. Fitted with a Volvo Penta D3, working through a 7:1 Reintjes gearbox, initial consumption was just over eight litres an hour – not bad for a vessel with a bollard pull of 5t! Typical of the quality of the fit-out is the refrigerated fish hold, with all-stainless piping.

Our Frankie Shan BD 229

The second Ian Paton-designed 9.9m boat from Cornish builder C Toms & Son in this year’s shortlist, this vessel, built for S&J Trawlers of North Devon, is a ‘step up’ from previous vessels in the series. A true multipurpose towing vessel, the boat will alternate scalloping and beaming and incorporates both a conveyor system and an innovative hydraulic system that will improve safety and provide more flexibility when lifting gear.

Genesis H 37

The latest vivier-crabber to join the Bridlington fleet, this 14.99m vessel was built by Parkol Marine Engineering for Neil Robson and his sons. It is skippered by George Robson, who designed the bespoke deck layout in conjunction with the yard, with a focus on streamlining catch-handling and improving safety and comfort for the crew. The propulsion package is based around a Volvo Penta main engine.

The winners of the 2024 Fishing News Awards will be revealed in Aberdeen and on our social media channels on the evening of 8 May – and in a special feature in the 23 May issue of Fishing News. Book your tickets here.

Find out everything you need to know about the Fishing News Awards here