Newly-lengthened Adenia returns home
The Whalsay pelagic boat Adenia (LK 193) returned home this week after being lengthened to improve stability and enhance the quality of fish landed.
As part of the £2.5 million project, the Adenia’s tank capacity was also increased at the Karstensens yard in Skagen, Denmark, from 1,499m3 to 2,050m3.
In addition, the configuration of the fish handling system was altered so that fish are pumped aboard from the stern instead of over the side.
Skipper George William Anderson, from Whalsay, who owns the boat with his sons and LHD, said he was very impressed with the quality of the steelwork.
He and members of the Adenia’s 11-strong crew brought her home at the weekend from Denmark and were this week preparing to head to the west of Orkney to fish for herring.
“With the extra length she’s much more stable in the water and a lot more fuel-efficient,” he said.
“The quality of the work done in Poland and Denmark was excellent and we’re looking forward to getting her back out to sea.”
Brian Isbister, chief executive of the Shetland Fish Producers’ Organisation, said he was delighted to see continued investment by the local pelagic fleet.
“This was a major piece of work that will enhance the Adenia’s capabilities and with the other crews continuing to invest, it all bodes well for the sector.”
The hull of the Adenia, which was built in Turkey, was designed to be able to accommodate an additional middle section.
She was completed at Flekkefjord in Norway in December 2003 and began fishing in 2004.
The lengthening of the Adenia comes a year after another Whalsay boat, the Research (LK 62), became the biggest in the Scottish fleet when a 7.8m section was added amidships at the Batbygg yard in Raudeberg, giving her a total length of 78.5m. The Zephyr, meanwhile, was lengthened in 2008.
Whalsay will see new pelagic vessel late next year when the next Antares (LK 419) is due to be completed at Norway’s Simek yard.