Nick Chapman of Padstow has taken delivery of his 15-metre gill netter Berlewen, from Steel Kit partners S.C Mcallisters and Parkol Marine, to replace his 16.7m wood-built Defiance.
The brief was up to 10 days at sea and more than 100 miles from the coast to fish turbot and cod and carry additional nets and gear. It had to be under 15m to comply with licence restrictions.
Its moulded beam of 5.9m carries a full length, non-watertight shelter deck and a midship's wheelhouse, with a semi-bulbous bow, with anti-pitching fins to dampen motion into head seas. She can take 15t of gillnets and anchors and has a dry hold for up to 300 boxes of fish. The design allows maximum deck space for her five crew, and for handling nets.
Berlewen is 14.95m overall with 13,620 litres fuel and 2,500 litres water storage and up to eight tonnes of ice. Main propulsion is from a Caterpillar 3406C engine and a twin disc MG5114C 4.86:1 reduction gearbox driving a 4-blade fixed-pitch propeller.
All nets are stowed aft using Rapp Hydema sorters in eight ponds, ready for shooting via the transom hatches. Though shorter than Defiance, Berlewen carries significantly more gear.
She has two distinct trim and stability modes: steaming with nets aboard, and a light condition with no gear aboard, more or less static, when hauling.
To compensate for the 15t of fishing gear stowed on deck, a forward sea- water ballast/trimming tank is provided.
She was completed ahead of schedule, within six months, and has exceeded Chapman's expectations, particularly during some force 10 and 11 weather in the Western Approaches.
