Triplex AS has recently, through its Chilean branch, Triplex Chile Ltda., completed the first installation of one of its corkline stackers onboard a Chilean purse seiner.
This equipment, which has been widely incorporated on seiners, tuna and combination vessels both in Europe and Australia since its introduction in 2000, has proved to be an invaluable and tireless partner for mechanised corkline stacking of big sized nets, and the demanding Chilean market was not to be the exception.
More than 80 vessels are now equipped with the Triplex Corkline Stacker.
This first Triplex FL-112 unit delivered to Chile has been installed onboard P.A.M. Yelcho, a 1200m3 fishhold capacity seiner belonging to Pesquera Itata SA, one of the leading Chilean fishing companies based in Talcahuano. Larger and deeper nets coupled with a huge net bin area on this purse seiner had been a demanding issue for the crew and safety during the net-stacking process - especially now that vessels are operating beyond 200 miles off the coast - until the incorporation of this system, which showed its versatility and ease of use from the beginning of its single sea trial.
The FL-112 is a unique design from Triplex AS, which allows for fully mechanised stacking of the net corkline, and combines very low oil flow requirement and power consumption, a state-of-the art radio control system for ease of operation and a simple installation onboard.
The second FL-112 was installed in December onboard a second Pesquera Itata S.A. vessel. From these first installations, Triplex AS hopes that the excellent performance and reputation of this equipment will in the short term encourage other fishing companies in Chile to innovate and incorporate this new concept on their net-stacking operation.
