When Icelandic fishing company Gjögur’s new pelagic vessel Hákon TH-250 was in the planning process, the decision was taken to invest in the latest controllable Thyborøn trawl doors. These were a pair of Type 42 doors, measuring 12 square metres and weighing in at 4,700 kilos – the first of this type for an Icelandic fishing vessel. Twelve months on, there’s a breadth of experience in using these door, and it’s positive in every respect.
According to Hákon’s skipper Jón Thór Björnsson, the performance of these doors has exceeded all expectations. He describes them as easily the best doors he’s towed. “They’re stable in shooting and hauling, responsive in operation and considering their weight, they’re unbelievably light to tow.”
Noting that they always hit the surface square, Björnsson also said they’re robust and built to last: “This is proper iron, no rubbish,” he said. “It’s great to work with these and I reckon they’ll last us well. There’s hardly a mark to be seen on them after a year in use.”
For the first few months the doors were used without the control systems, but when these were installed, they showed their worth as reliable and versatile doors that made everything easier, Björnsson said.
“We were pleased with them right away. They always sit correctly and square quickly.”
But it’s the control system that has been the major step, Björnsson said. All of the equipment and software is developed by Thyborøn, and this enables the user to adjust the aspect and spreading efficiency of the doors during a tow. This is something he describes as a “total revolution”, adding that the doors haven’t hit the surface once this past summer, despite plenty of tight turns.
This technology has added significantly to the effectiveness of the fishing gear as a whole, he said. “The doors keep the gear steady in a turn, and the trawl stays well aligned behind us – and I don’t need to worry about it. There’s less mismatch and fewer distortions, and that’s better for the fishing gear. We can run at lower revs in a heavy current by reducing the square, and the gear configures itself better after turns and manoeuvres.”
The decision to invest in the controllable Thyborøn doors for Hákon was taken after extensive and detailed examination of the many possible choices, Björnsson explained. “We had several options open to us, but I have no regrets about this choice.”
He also has nothing but good things to say about the technical support: “One phone call and help’s there.”
