When it comes to innovation in new boats, few hold a better record than the Norwegians. As pioneers in the salmon farming industry they have several decades of innovation in maintaining the farms and in transporting fish from farm to market as well as developing work vessels to support the farms.
Currently drawing attention in Norway’s fjords is the recently delivered Frøy Server. The 25 by 10.6-meter vessel has a molded depth of 4.1 meters. Built by Sletta Verft AS to a design by Møre Maritime, the vessel is a fish farm work and support vessel capable of a wide range of functions. Farm nets accumulate marine growth and periodically need to be hauled and cleaned, similarly the heavy anchors for the net ponds need to be moved or replaced. The Frøy Server with its beamy design, two Palfinger knuckle booms, three warp winches, and large clear deck space can do these and other heavy lifting chores. The platform can also assist with delousing with hydrogen peroxide or as a launch base for ROV and diving operations. The boat will also prove valuable in transporting up to 130 tons of deck cargo to and from the farms.
Recent trends in farm work vessels have favoured catamaran hulls, however this mono-hull vessel can work in heavier seas and achieve higher speeds of up 19 knots. As the fish farms continue to be moved further out to sea, it is anticipated that there will be more of these vessels. The next vessel of the same design for the same customer, Frøy Akvaservice AS, will be 40-meters long.
Main engines for the innovative boat are a pair of Cummins QSK38-M1 rated for 1000 HP (746nkW) at 1800 RPM. The engines turn Finnøy P58 propellers through Finnøy 650 FKV marine gears. The Frøy Server, delivered last December, operates with a crew of three.