Trawler recovers from false start

Trawler recovers from false start

A six-mile-long fishing line caused the breakdown

A shrimping trawler worth £3m is finally on its way to Guyana after being stuck in Aberystwyth harbour for the last three weeks.

The Vanquish's 30-day voyage to South America was cut short after only a few miles when its shaft seized up.

The seizure was caused by a six-mile-long nylon baited fishing line which got caught around the boat's propeller shaft before melting and seizing it up.

The boat was on its first journey after being built in the Aberleri boatyard near Borth.

It was a million to one chance and it has taken us three weeks to repair the damage

Don Fullerlove, boat yard owner

According to boat yard owner, Don Fullerlove, the damage was probably caused by a boat fishing in Cardigan Bay.

"It was a million-to-one chance and it has taken us three weeks to repair the damage," said Mr Fullerlove.

The Vanquish is the second of a fleet of 10 being built by the boatyard for a South American company which catches and processes shrimp.

The design is unique for a boat of its size because it has a middle deck which allows the shrimp to be processed and packaged on board.

"Existing trawlers only process about 10% of the catch which is bad news for the company and ecologically," said Mr Fullerlove.

Boat yard owner Don Fullerlove says the trawler is unique

"But this boat has been designed to separate the shrimp from the rest of the catch, which is then sent back to the sea."

The middle deck has been designed so that the shrimp is separated, cooked and frozen before being packaged and stored on the lowest deck.

This innovation should provide a ten-fold increase in the catch.

The Vanquish will travel south to the equator before following the trade winds to Guyana on its 30-day journey.

Its four-man crew consists of Anthony James and Vincent Jones, from Aberystwyth, and two Polish sailors.

"Once I get out there, I will do repair work on the first boat that we built before flying home," said Mr James, who works at Aberleri boatyard.

The company is also building a catamaran destined for Cardiff bay, which Mr Fullerlove said will be used extensively by the Welsh Assembly.