Alaska Ship & Drydock Unveils the Arctic Prowler, a New 136-Foot Freezer Longliner

Arctic Prowler, Image: Vigor Industrial

On October 5, Vigor Industrial will christen the Arctic Prowler, the first large commercial fishing vessel ever built in Alaska.

Built for the Alaska Longline Company at Vigor’s Alaska Ship & Drydock (ASD) in Ketchikan, the new vessel will have 16,300 cubic feet of freezer space, have the ability to both catch and process at sea, and the capability of fishing 56,000 hooks per day. The Arctic Prowler is designed and built with an emphasis on economic use of space allowing room for state of the art fishing, comfortable accommodations, and factory equipment producing very high quality products.

“We are proud to christen the Arctic Prowler in Ketchikan. This is a beautiful and efficient vessel, and a wonderful addition to our fleet. As an Alaska-based company with significant Alaskan ownership, it is fitting that this vessel was built in Alaska, by Alaskans,” said Larry Cotter, President of Alaska Longline and Chief Executive Officer of Aleutian Pribilof Island Community Development Association. APICDA is a partner in the Alaska Longline Company, which is the primary harvester of APICDA’s community development quota cod allocation.

Built by ASD, the Arctic Prowler is also the first vessel to be constructed in the Ketchikan Shipyard’s new 70,000-square foot assembly and production hall. “Not only is the Arctic Prowler the first vessel to be built in the new Ship Assembly Hall, it is also the first factory longliner made in Alaska. We are very proud of the Arctic Prowler, built by a world class workforce in a world class shipyard,” said Adam Beck, President of Alaska Ship & Drydock.

The vessel and the decision to build it in Alaska were the vision of John Winther, a well-known leader in the Alaska fishing industry. Winther spearheaded the planning and commitment to construct the Arctic Prowler in Alaska at the Ketchikan Shipyard and was present during the start of the vessel’s construction just prior to his passing in October, 2012. Jerry Kennedy, a partner in Alaska Longline managed construction of the Arctic Prowler in Ketchikan. The sponsor for the christening of Arctic Prowler is John Winther’s granddaughter Stella LeeAnne Asplund accompanied by her mother, John’s daughter, Theresa Winther.

“John would have been proud of his decision to build the Arctic Prowler in Alaska. He loved Alaska, Alaskans, and fishing boats, now he has the first ‘made in Alaska’ fishing boat,” said Bert Winther, John Winther’s widow.

Details on the christening:
When: 2:30 PM – 5:00 PM, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2013
Where: Alaska Ship & Drydock, 3801 Tongass Ave., Ketchikan AK 99901
What: The ceremony will be conducted in the new enclosed Ship Assembly Hall followed by tours of the Arctic Prowler immediately after christening ceremony.

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