Underwater foul-release coatings innovator Propspeed has been selected by Ocean Fisheries Ltd. as the preferred foul-release coating for its fleet of commercial fishing vessels.
Based in Lyttelton, New Zealand and part of the Stark Group of companies owned and operated by the Stark family, Ocean Fisheries Ltd. was started in 1967 to bring together the company’s commercial fishing operations. The fleet currently consists of three trawlers – the 2004-built Frontier, Legacy which was built in 2012, and the newest, Endeavour, delivered in 2016, making this one of the most modern vessel groups operating in New Zealand. The three steel-hulled vessels are routinely dry-docked every two years.
Propspeed’s ultra-slick topcoat is specially formulated to prevent marine growth from bonding to metal surfaces below the waterline. It is proven to support vessel readiness, increase efficiency, prevent corrosion, save fuel and reduce maintenance costs. It features an exceptionally strong chemical and mechanical bond between the metal substrate, the Etching Primer and the Clear Coat – ensuring the Propspeed coating actually sticks to running gear, and that the vessel can run at its peak throughout the entire season.
Having applied Propspeed to several superyachts during routine dry docking contracts, the Stark family were aware of the product. Discussions with Propspeed highlighted the fact that the same benefits of clean propellers could apply to commercial fishing vessels, so a decision was made to prep and coat the propeller on each vessel as they were taken out of the water in 2014.
“The benefits of Propspeed are definitely noticeable in terms of a much cleaner propeller when we haul the vessel for survey, maintenance and repairs,” said Ocean Fisheries CEO Andrew Stark.
“Application of Propspeed has now become a must-do job at all haul outs. In addition, we historically had issues with weed growth on the keel coolers for the main and auxiliary engines, ice maker, hydraulics and echo sounder transducers. After a discussion with Propspeed we applied the product to the echo sounders and keel coolers at our most recent 2020 haul outs and we expect the same lack of growth to occur. We would have no hesitation in recommending other trawl vessel owners apply Propspeed because it severely inhibits weed and marine growth. In the case of the keel coolers it saves us time and money using divers to clean the coolers in water, and increases refrigeration capacity and efficiency by allowing increased cooling capability for much longer periods.”
“We are very pleased to hear a successful commercial fishing fleet is experiencing the real-world benefits of our product line,” said Propspeed CEO Chris Baird.
“These vessels are put to the test in constant use in very demanding conditions and the livelihood and safety of the crew depends on their flawless operation. We are confident that they will continue to see positive result through the life of these boats.”
