Whitefish boats make improvements to save on fuel

Two Shetland whitefish boats have had improvements made to their engines and gearboxes to help them save on running costs.

The alterations to the Venture (LK 641) and Fairway II (LK 270) will allow them to produce more power while using less fuel.

The work was carried out at Whitby in North Yorkshire by Parkol Marine Engineering.

Venture skipper Jerry Pottinger, now back fishing off Shetland mainly for haddock, said the outcome of the work was better than he had expected.

“We’re saving about a quarter of our original fuel costs,” he said. “At much lower revs we have an increased bollard pull.

“We’ve also reduced the level of noise and vibration significantly. She’s much more efficient and quieter.”

Skipper of the Fairway II Colin Hughson said fuel was the “single biggest cost” of any fishing boat so anything that could improve fuel efficiency would be a bonus.

Mr Hughson was due to return to Whitby to take the boat home this week and said he was looking forward to seeing how she performed.

While on the Parkol drydock, the Venture had a new gearbox installed while her main Caterpillar 3508 engine was raised and realigned. A new rudder stock was installed further aft and a new nozzle was made to accommodate a larger 2,200mm diameter propeller.

Meanwhile the Fairway II had a new high-efficiency nozzle fitted along with a new gearbox, a new propeller shaft and a new 2,100mm diameter propeller.