The FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Department has released a new manual, ‘Fuel savings for small fishing vessels’, to provide practical advice on ways to reduce fuel.
As the price of fuel increases and impacts the economics of operating fishing vessels, boat owners are looking for ways to address the problem.
The purpose of the FAO manual is to provide practical advice to fishing boat owners and crews, boatbuilders and boat designers and fisheries administrators, on ways to reduce fuel costs. With a focus on small fishing vessels measuring up to 50ft and operating at speeds of less than 10 knots, which covers most of the world’s fishing boats, it also serves as a guide for vessels used in support of aquaculture activities.
The first chapters concentrate on fuel saving measures for existing boats, including reducing boat service speed, keeping the hull and propeller free from underwater fouling and maintaining the boat engine. It also suggests that changing fishing methods could help save fuel.
The final chapters look at the advantages of investing in a diesel engine and selecting economic engine power on the basis of the waterline length and the weight of the boat to save fuel. Advice is also given on new boat designs and the selection of an optimum propeller.
