The Sea King demonstration project was a cooperative agreement between the BBRSDA and the Gervais family, to install high performance chilling capability on a Rawson gillnetter, the F/V Sea King. A refrigerated sea water (RSW) system was successfully installed on a vessel type that in years past has been considered too small and unworthy of such an upgrade.
The BBRSDA furnished $15,000 toward this demonstration, which was used to offset transportation and storage costs of the Sea King to the Seattle area in the winter of 2009 – 2010. The Gervais family paid for all equipment, material, and labor costs associated with the conversion, while providing the BBRSDA with technical, operational, and financial cost/benefit analysis of the project.
This report is a comprehensive, step-by-step description of what it takes to convert an “old-style” Bristol Bay gillnetter – of which there are still many operating in the fleet – from a “dry boat” state to one that delivers the highest possible quality product and generates the highest possible return on investment. It is a must-read for anyone considering a conversion of an older Bristol Bay gillnetter to RSW.
Please click to download: The Sea King Report
