Jensen Completes Major Refurbishment Work on Fishing Vessel Bering Defender

Jensen Maritime, a Crowley Maritime Corp. company, recently completed 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.

“Our capabilities really shined on this project as we were successful in continually finding ways to improve the efficiency, performance and crew comfort of this vessel for our customer Global Seas,” said Johan Sperling, vice president, Jensen. “We always jump at the opportunity to return to our roots by creating and redesigning fishing vessels. Our reputation speaks for itself when it comes to designing boats for the challenging waters in Alaska. We are proud of this accomplishment because we turned a serviceable vessel into one that will stand out among the best in the Alaskan fishing fleet.”

Specifically, 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 Defenderunderwent construction at Patti Marine Enterprises in Pensacola, Fla., and has now begun work in Alaska.

Seattle-based Jensen Maritime Consultants, Inc., is a full service naval architecture and marine engineering firm owned by Crowley Maritime Corporation. The company offers a diverse range of consulting, design and engineering services developed from more than 50 years experience working around the world. Jensen is a recognized leader in the design of all types of vessels – particularly workboats, fishing boats and fire boats- and has built a favorable reputation on a long history of successful designs and conversions with close attention to engineering basics. The company’s services include detail and conceptual design and engineering, lofting, regulatory and shipyard liaison as well as on-site consulting services and on-location assistance anywhere in the world. Additional information about Jensen may be found on the Internet at www.jensenmaritime.com.

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