Fishing Vessel Major Refit Completed by Jensen

US-based Jensen Maritime, completes a major redesign of the Global Sea-managed fishing vessel 'Bering Defender'.

The project, which improved the vessel’s efficiency and hold capacity, outfitted it for pollock fishing in the challenging waters of Alaska’s Bering Sea. The refurbished fishing boat, formerly named Dona Martita, recently arrived in Seattle after departing the East Coast and transiting the Panama Canal. Global Seas, based in Seattle, is an operator of a diverse fleet of research and fishing vessels.

Initially, Global Seas requested several design changes to the vessel to optimize it for Alaska waters while making it safer, more comfortable and more efficient to operate. Per customer request, Jensen added a shelter deck, two gantry cranes and increased the fish-hold capacity of the vessel. However, an analysis of the vessel by Jensen’s expert consultation teams revealed that the Bering Defender would also benefit from the addition of a new bulbous bow and lengthened stern section. Finally, Jensen used the opportunity to completely redesign and expand the crew quarters and pilothouse.

The total design improvements resulted in an increase in the hold capacity by 30 percent with a more efficient vessel that also has a modern and comfortable living arrangement for the crew.

Jensen’s work included the addition of a bulbous bow which has decreased the forward trim, making the vessel safer and more efficient in the water. By adding six feet to the redesigned stern, Jensen was able to smooth the water flow aft, which has improved the Bering Defender’s cruising speeds. The new shelter deck allowed the existing winches to be relocated up one deck, giving the vessel additional freeboard for winter operations in Alaska. 

The fish holds were able to be expanded when the shelter deck was added, thereby increasing the vessel’s total capacity. Finally, Jensen removed the existing deckhouse, raised the deck one level and extended the structure the full width of the boat. The pilothouse was also removed and replaced, and now includes a state-of-the-art electronics suite.

Before the redesign, the vessel had been working on the East Coast in support of herring and mackerel fisheries. The Bering Defender underwent construction at Patti Marine Enterprises in Pensacola, Fla., and has now begun work in Alaska.

Jensen Maritime is a Crowley Maritime Corp. company.