Pelagic boat’s extension makes her biggest in Scottish fleet
A 7.8m section was added amidships at the Batbygg yard in Raudeberg, giving her a total length of 78.5m.
The addition of extra tank capacity means she will be able to carry an extra 500 tonnes of fish.
A large area forward of the wheelhouse has also been decked in, making conditions safer for the men and allowing the vessel to fish more in the winter months.
“We need the extra capacity for making longer trips, like we did last year to the west of Ireland,” said skipper Willie Williamson.
“She should also be a better sea boat for operating in the winter. We had fine weather and a smooth run over from Norway so we didn’t really get a chance to gauge that. One thing’s for sure – we will soon!”
Mr Williamson said he believed the substantial increase in mackerel quotas this year following the political deal with Iceland would depress prices.
The Research was due to head south later in the week to fish for herring off Orkney.