The Faroese pelagic vessel Katrin Jóhanna is seeing better catches and lower fuel costs thanks to new trawl doors from Vónin.
Fully controllable gear
Captain Árni Dalsgaard says the “Twister” trawl doors, fitted earlier this year, have changed how the vessel fishes.
“They stay in the right position almost all the time. That means more fish and less fuel,” he explained.
Árni, who first went to sea in 1986, has led Katrin Jóhanna since her maiden trip in December 2018. He has used earlier versions of the Twister doors, but the latest model allows complete control from the bridge.
Easier handling at sea
The system helps in many ways. When fishing mackerel close to the surface, the doors hold steady at 15 metres, even when the ship turns fast to follow a school. Before, one door might rise while the other sank, twisting the gear.
“With the new doors, I can scroll the mouse and change their depth. The trawl follows at once,” said Árni.
The same advantage is apparent when fishing for herring and blue whiting higher in the water. The gear also stays balanced in strong currents, where old doors could tilt and cut performance.
Fuel savings and better quality
Fuel use has dropped from 14.8 tonnes a day in 2018 to 10.8 tonnes now. Several factors play a role, but Árni is sure the lightweight Twister doors are part of the answer.
“They keep the trawl in the right spot. That means shorter towing, fresher fish, and better prices,” he said.
Árni Dalsgaard controls the twister doors from the bridge. Photo by Vónin
Smoother operations
Árni also notes that the system is reliable. Most issues can be fixed from shore while fishing continues. Only in case of a serious fault would the vessel need to head in for repairs.
“Overall, the experience has been excellent. The Twisters steer themselves, they stay where we want them, and we can adjust at once if needed,” the captain concluded.