Netherlands-based Osprey Fish is about to increase its fleet of four successful fresh fish vessels with the addition later this year of a new state-of-the-art fly-shooter/twin rig trawler.

The boat is currently under construction at the Nodosa Shipyard in Spain and due for completion by November this year.

The new 28.7-meter Henk Senior will combine seasonal fly shooting and trawling in its year-round schedule, which includes fly shooting in the winter season in the Channel for species such as squid, red mullet and cuttlefish and for the summer to the harsher sea conditions in the North Sea, Dogger Bank and edge of the Norwegian Sector grounds where twin-rig trawling is productive for valuable species such as turbot, lemon sole and plaice.

Under the command of experienced owner/skipper Louwe De Boer, Henk Senior has seen much thought go into its design (by Ove Kristensen of the Vestvaerftet shipyard in Hvide Sande, Denmark) and every detail has been covered in what will be a top class fishing vessel.

It is powered by an ABC main engine, with propulsion systems including a Rjentes gearbox running to a ducted F.P.P. 5-blade 3,300mm propeller and genset power coming from two sets, one Caterpillar and one MAN generator.

The suite of deck machinery, including winches and netdrums has been commissioned to be manufactured and installed by Ibercisa, along with a Guerra deck crane.

As expected on a ship of this standard, an expansive range of fishing and communication electronics has also been commissioned, and in particular Scanmar’s latest door spread and clump sensors, as well as Scanmar door "height" sensors to ensure maximum efficiency and fuel consumption.

The vessel will employ Danish-made Thyboron Type 15 pelagic trawl doors fished at a steady three to five meters off the bottom with a 20 meter sweep running down to 10 meters of 30mm chain which acts as a weight to keep the gear hard to the seabed.

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Osprey Fish Company expands fleet with new trawler