Remodeling of tuna purse seiner for improving fishing performance

Abstract

In an attempt to respond to the increase in international oil prices and reduce operating expenses, ship remodeling was carried out on a 740ton class tuna purse seiner. To strengthen the competitiveness of the fisheries industry by improving vessel performance, a bulbous bow was newly equipped. The slipway and rudder area were also lengthened and enlarged with the propeller and main engine remained unchanged. To reduce the hull resistance, a circle type bulbous bow was attached on the hull behind bow thruster and thus the cost for exchanging electrical equipment for bow thruster was reduced. The new rudder area was expanded 15% more than the old one within the extent that the existing mechanical control part and rudder stock were not changed. To prevent fishing net damage and stabilize wake field, slipway was lengthened to the optimal position. All of the new design of remodeling parts went through the model tests in towing tank and CWC. Besides resistance test, all of necessary model test results were delivered for hydrodynamic character for the modified ship. The maneuvering simulation to verify that the remodeled ship satisfies the IMO rules was performed in both zigzag and turning tests. The estimated resistance with new bulbous bow and lengthened stern was reduced by 4.8% in the 2-dimensional analysis and 17.4% in the 3-dimensional analysis in comparison of conventional ship. The average reduction of resistance was estimated about 10%. Maneuvering character of modified hull form was found to satisfy all regulations under IMO. The remodeling of tuna purse seiner can not only improve fishing performance but also contribute to reduction of operating cost by saving energy for the fisheries industry.