Seattle-based naval architecture and marine engineering company Jensen Maritime has completed engineering services for the conversion of a 170-foot long, 40-foot wide, fishing vessel for Global Seas and Patti Marine Enterprises, the company said Feb. 17.
The vessel, now named Defender, underwent significant conversion to make her the first fish pumping vessel in the Global Seas fleet, including structural and mechanical work.
Because the vessel was being converted from fishing herring and mackerel on the East Coast to fishing pollock on the West Coast, a new fish pumping system was installed on the stern and a new full forward, sheltered fish distribution room was constructed for protection during the fish sorting process.
Both changes, according to Jensen, make the vessel better suited for the operations and weather of her new Alaska fishing assignment.
Structural work included a stern extension, bulbous bow with refurbishing of the thruster, whale back bow cover for the refurbished anchor windlass, an anti-roll tank, aft decks and bulwarks.
Mechanical work included rebuilding the main engines and generators and installation of new propellers, nozzles and a rudder system. Also, electrical systems and wiring received substantial upgrades and reworks by the shipyard along with sandblasting, water blasting, deep cleaning, and re-coating.
Once the work was completed, a renaming ceremony took place to change the vessel from Western Venture to Defender. The vessel was then re-launched and christened. Sea trials are scheduled for March, just prior to the 5,200-mile trek to Seattle for final delivery back to Global Seas in time for B season fishing in the Bering Sea.
