PETREL FISHING COMPANY LTd, owned by the PESCAPUERTA Group and the FORTUNA Group (its partner in the Falklands Islands), has taken delivery of the new Freezer Vessel ‘PRION’, which will be used for fishing in the Falklands Fishing Grounds. The ‘PRION’ is almost 2500 GT, 85 metres long and 14 metres wide, making it the largest Freezer Vessel built in recent years. The PRION has been designed and developed entirely between the shipyard and the shipowner's technical team.
The delivery of the vessel has been formalized in a ceremony held at NODOSA shipyard, chaired by the President of the Xunta de Galicia, Mr. Alfonso Rueda, and in which Jose Puerta Prado as President of Pescapuerta Group and Stuart Wallace on behalf of FORTUNA Group took part. The event was attended by about 400 guests, including employees of the shipowning companies, customers, suppliers, partners and various authorities. Doña Margarita Prado and Doña Lilian Wallace acted as godmothers at the launching of the ship.
The ‘PRION’ is the most modern freezer built in Spain. It is a display of high technology, energy efficiency, optimisation in the treatment of catches, respect for the environment, comfort and safety for the crew. All these characteristics were basic premises on which the shipowning company placed great emphasis from the beginning of the design and which the shipyard has been shaping until they became a reality.
With the reception of this new vessel, PESCAPUERTA and FORTUNA take another step forward in the process of fleet renewal, which began three years ago with the construction of the FALCON, also built by NODOSA and which has had excellent results in its first fishing campaigns.
During the presentation ceremony, Mr. Jose Puerta Prado took the opportunity to remember the figure of his father, José Puerta Oviedo, founder of the PESCAPUERTA Group. All the attendees were presented with a recently published book, which explains the origins of PESCAPUERTA and the ‘dreams come true’ of its founder.
ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL EFFICIENCY
Both the main engine and the auxiliary engines comply with the stringent emission control regulations of the fishing grounds, and have been designed to operate at the best engine speeds at all times, thus ensuring lower pollutant emissions and greater fuel economy. After all, energy efficiency is environmental efficiency. For this purpose, an ‘Orcan’ energy recovery system has been incorporated to convert the waste heat generated in the ship into electrical energy for on-board consumption, which means a reduction in the ship's consumption, making it more efficient and therefore more environmentally friendly, as emissions are significantly reduced.
As for the refrigerant, ammonia has again been chosen (like the previous unit), which is more environmentally friendly as it exists in nature, and which provides greater cooling capacity than other refrigerants.
A relevant aspect in the search for greater efficiency in navigation and work, which directly results in savings in energy consumption and therefore in greater environmental benefits, is the design of a completely optimised hull, where the figure of an inverted bow stands out on its own merits as a result of previous experiences and customised studies to this effect, resulting, in addition, in a very innovative aesthetic.
Other notable elements that strengthen the defence of the environment are: the choice of silicone patents for the hull (which have proven to be more ecological and efficient in consumption for this fishing ground), the existence of a tank to store biodegradable waste during the manoeuvres of lifting and launching the rigging, an approved incinerator to avoid throwing any type of rubbish into the sea and state-of-the-art aviaries for the protection of sea birds.
CREW SAFETY AND COMFORT
Thanks to an innovative and efficient design, the number of people required for deck manoeuvres can be reduced. In addition, the crew will work in a more weather-protected environment, minimising risks to the crew.
A cabin is also incorporated for the comfort and safety of fishery observers.
Three modern cranes installed on board will allow, due to their location and power, all types of manoeuvres to be carried out on deck in the quickest and safest way, especially when loading and unloading.
The living quarters have been increased, allowing for adequate shifts and rest. Living conditions on board are also improved with as many single and double cabins as possible.
For the design of the factory, the ergonomic study that has given such good results in the ‘FALCON’ has been repeated, thus improving and facilitating the work of the operators. Likewise, the size of the containers has been reduced, thus avoiding the handling of excessive weights. In addition, some demoulding, loading and unloading processes have been automated, reducing and lightening human intervention in order to improve working conditions on board.
QUALITY OF THE FINAL PRODUCT
To keep the product in perfect condition, the processes of extraction (by manoeuvring it on deck), temporary storage until processing (by dividing the marsh tank to avoid crushing and deterioration), and freezing (by equipping the ship with a fast deep-freezing plant) are improved.