MV BLUEFIN QUALITY MANUAL - Australian Maritime College

Australian Maritime College
The winch operator can minimise the amount of slack netting by monitoring the remaining
netting below the net drum and adjusting accordingly.
The vessel will require a speed of more than 5 knots to assist the deployment. The net is
then paid out until the G links come within a meter of the stern ramp roller.
ATTACHMENT OF THE BOARDS
This operation involves the transfer of the net from the net drum to the trawl boards.
Extreme caution must be taken during this operation.
Note: During this operation crew are close to wires under tension and due to the affect of
swell on the deployed net including the vessels yawing motion. Wires may move
horizontally and vertically with extreme force.
DEPLOYMENT OF SYSTEM
The G link from the trawl board back strops must be connected to the sweeps of the trawl
net. This requires two people per side, one connecting the G link and one assisting with
the back strop chain. Once the G link is attached to the recessed link all persons will
move to safe areas so that the load can be transferred to the trawl boards.
The warp winch brakes must be disengaged (anti-clockwise) before shooting commences.
Once this has taken place the winch operator has full control over the remaining
deployment of the net and boards.
DEPLOYMENT OF TRAWL TO THE SEA BED
As soon as the trawl boards enter the water the warps come under ever increasing load
due to the affect of drag of the combined equipment.
Note: During deployment all persons must remain in safe areas. The warps and
blocks are to be avoided.
While the winch operator is in control of deployment to the sea floor, the crew must
monitor the movement of people in relation to hazards associated with moving plant and
warp wire deployment.
TRAWL CONTACT WITH SEA BED
When the winch operator is satisfied that the trawl is stable and fishing, the warp brakes
must be engaged by turning the handle (clockwise). The vessel’s fishing speed adjusted
to trawling speed (dependant on objectives of the operation). The shooting operation
is now completed.
MONITORING DEPLOYED GEAR
A constant appraisal of the trawl ground must be maintained using the Simrad and Coden
echo sounders to assess bottom conditions for hook ups that may be present, this is to
minimise damage to trawl equipment, and stability issues that a pinned up trawl induces
on the vessel.
Append 3.6 - Trawl Equip.docx 3 of 6
Revised: November 2010