F/V Arctic Prowler (136’ x 41’ x 26’) is being constructed at the Ketchikan shipyard by Alaska Ship and Drydock (ASD), a Vigor Industries newsletter says. This will join the freezer/longline fleet for Alaska Longline Company when completed. John Winther, a strong supporter of AFDF and the Alaska Symphony of Seafood is the owner of the company, formerly known as Prowler Fisheries LLC. The new vessel is co-owned by Alaska Longline Company, APICDA Joint Ventures, headed by Larry Cotter and two other private owners.
The construction of the new factory longliner began in March of this year and last month, the first module was moved into Alaska Ship and Drydock’s new state-of-the-art ship assembly and production hall. The 70,000 square foot hall incorporates globally recognized best practice techniques in manufacturing and shipbuilding and can handle vessels up to 500 feet in length.
When the Jensen-designed Arctic Prowler is completed in the spring of 2013, she will be fishing for Pacific black cod in the Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska. She will be powered by a pair of 1,000-hp MTU main engines and three 330-kW gensets, and house 16,300 cubic feet of freezer capacity.
AFDF salutes Alaska Longline Company and Mr. Winther for his vision and hard work in making sound decisions in the Alaska groundfish community.
