Damen delivers first new Beam Trawler in 12 years with Optima nozzles by Damen Marine Components

Damen says it has delivered the first new beam trawler to take to the North Sea in twelve years. Over the last ten months, Damen Maaskant Shipyards Stellendam (Maaskant) has outfitted the 41-metre hull from stock. The vessel, designated UK 46, is for Hakvoort Brothers, based in Urk, the Netherlands. A key feature of the vessel is the installation of twin Optima nozzles manufactured by Damen Marine Components (DMC). This is the first time that Maaskant has installed these in a fishing boat.

The nozzles are Damen Optima L/D 0.4 models with a diameter of 3.63 metres. The stainless-steel collars surrounding the propellers deliver improved thrust both ahead and astern and so require less engine output for a given speed. In addition, they also enhance performance at low speeds and give less resistance at higher speeds.

The fishing winch also represents a milestone for both Maaskant and DMC. It is the first such winch to be manufactured by DMC and was built to a design by Maaskant. A third Damen company also played a role in the fit-out of UK 46, with Damen Anchor & Chains supplying their trademark products to the vessel.

“It’s been a real pleasure to complete this trawler and see her afloat at last, and to work with our sister companies to make it a success,” says Eric Moerkerk, deputy director at Damen Maaskant Shipyards Stellendam. “The hull has been here at Maaskant for more than ten years and we have long looked forward to it being out at sea where it belongs. This is the first time that we have fitted a trawler with nozzles and while it is early days for the vessel, the indications are that she is working well and the nozzles are delivering the expected efficiencies. The next three fishing boats that we will be building will also be fitted with nozzles from DMC.”

Kees Oevermans at Damen Marine Components added; “The cooperation between DMC and Maaskant has been very good and fast. We worked closely with all the relevant departments including the project management and design functions. The benefit of this partnership for the client is that when our products arrive at the yard, everything fits and performs as promised.”

Beam trawlers use outrigger booms to tow two trawls, one on each side. In the North Sea they are commonly used to catch shrimp and flatfish. The last such fishing boat to join the Dutch fishing fleet was the Catharina KW-145, launched in 2006. Prior to that, Maaskant delivered two others; the Cornelia BR-14 in 2004 and the Jan Cornelis GO-22 in 2006. Both these were also built to the Damen Maaskant design.  

Damen Shipyards Group
Damen Shipyards Group operates 34 shipbuilding and repair yards, employing 10,000 people worldwide. Damen has delivered more than 6,000 vessels in more than 100 countries and delivers some 160 vessels annually to customers worldwide. Based on its unique, standardised ship-design concept Damen is able to guarantee consistent quality.

Damen’s focus on standardisation, modular construction and keeping vessels in stock leads to short delivery times, low ‘total cost of ownership’, high resale values and reliable performance. Furthermore, Damen vessels are based on thorough R&D and proven technology.

Damen offers a wide range of products, including tugs, workboats, naval and patrol vessels, high speed craft, cargo vessels, dredgers, vessels for the offshore industry, ferries, pontoons and superyachts.

For nearly all vessel types Damen offers a broad range of services, including maintenance, spare parts delivery, training and the transfer of (shipbuilding) know-how. Damen also offers a variety of marine components, such as nozzles, rudders, anchors, anchor chains and steel works.

Damen Shiprepair & Conversion (DSC) has a worldwide network of eighteen repair and conversion yards of which twelve are located in North West Europe. Facilities at the yards include more than 50 floating and (covered) drydocks, the largest of which is 420 x 90 metres, as well as slopes, ship lifts and indoor halls. Projects range from the smallest simple repairs through Class’ maintenance to complex refits and the complete conversion of large offshore structures. DSC completes around 1,300 repair and maintenance jobs annually, both at yards as well as in ports and during voyages.