Damen Maaskant Shipyards Stellendam is constructing an innovative shelfishl dredger for a Dutch fishing cooperative.
The 43m vessel, YE 118 Noordland BV, shares the same name as the cooperative and shows how a standard Maaskant design can be modified to meet the ever changing requirements of the modern fishing industry.
“We are very happy to have been given the opportunity to build such a cutting-edge vessel,” says Damen Maaskant Shipyards Stellendam director Frits van Dongen. “The Noordland will be able to harvest shells in water up to 20m deep – something that is made possible by the advanced pumping system.”
The pump will be connected to a 30m suction pipe, with a 1m wide basket at one end that the vessel will position over the target area.
This fishing technique minimises environmental damage such as disturbance to the seabed and unwanted bycatch. The Dutch shellfish fishery is an MSC certified industry, with the majority of the catch sold in Southern Europe.
As well as installation of the specialised fishing equipment, the yard’s scope also includes fitting of the vessel’s generators and propulsion system as well as carpentry, electronics and piping. Delivery is planned for mid-October.
Welsh mussel dredger, BS 8 Valente, has also returned to the yard to undergo routine maintenance and repair works. The vessel was built at Damen Maaskant back in 2003.
