IDENTICAL BOATS FOR SKERRIES BROTHERS
IT WAS almost a case of double vision when the two latest additions to Shetland’s small boat fleet arrived in Shetland at the end of June. Built for brothers David and Greig Anderson and identical save for their colour schemes, Utsker and Solan continue the current trend in Shetland towards alternative fishing methods and small, versatile, coastal fishing vessels.
Brothers David and Greig Anderson
David and Greig are yet two more white fish trawler men who decided on a change of direction, citing the ever increasing paper work and regulations associated with larger trawlers as one factor in the move. They had considered various options since selling their trawler Sette Marie, last year. "We did consider getting a bigger gill netter for a while but were a bit cautious and decided it would be sensible to try gill netting with a smaller boat first," explained David.
The brothers had not originally intended to opt for new vessels but the Solnes Båt design caught their attention when they were across in Norway looking at second hand vessels last August. "Most of the second hand boats we saw were bigger than we were looking for. With the strong pound, the price we got from Solnes was quite reasonable, plus the yard was able to build them right away so we decided just to go ahead."
The vessels, each 9.95m long with a beam of 3.75m, are built in aluminium and powered by Volvo Penta TAMD 41 engines which deliver 145hp at 2,500rpm. Wheelhouse electronics packages were supplied by H Williamson & Sons of Scalloway.
Utsker and Solan
Once again, flexibility seems to be one of the main attractions. Greig intends initially to try jigging for mackerel whilst David will be starting off gill netting for cod. But as both men explained, they will switch methods according to what fish is around. The weather will also have a bearing and David said he may work creels in the winter time if weather proves to be a problem.
Buying the new vessels hasn’t been a total step into the unknown for the men. Their brother James has been successfully tangle netting with the 8m Cygnus netter Joanne Claire for almost a year. James is also still a skipper of the family’s remaining 26m trawler Alison Kay.
Utsker and Solan will be based in Whalsay, where David and Greig both live, but may also fish on the west side of Shetland, again depending on the availability of fish. They expect to be fishing mainly on a daily basis around 20 miles offshore, with perhaps the occasional longer trip.
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