Jordan Kate

During the second half of 2002 this correspondent closely followed the progress of the Bridport shipyard of Allan Barnett Fishing Co. while they produced a standard series of steel fishing boats.

'Originally designed for a three-boat series, the yellow hulled Yellow Fin was delivered to Noumea in November 2001, the red hulled Kaybeanna has been fishing in Allan Barnett's own fleet since July 2002. The third boat, the white hulled Jordan Kate has now been completed for Angelica Fisheries of Ulladulla and was launched on 5th April 2003.

In late February I was shown over the then unnamed white hull by Ron Rosendale, long time colleague of Allan Barnett's and production manager of the shipyard.

Immediate impressions of the shipyard were that it was busy. Work started punctually at 7am with minimal guidance from supervisor Mike Harding. With a complete fishing boat on her launch trolley, the first few frames erected of the 17 metre craft just ahead, the complete hull and deck of the fourth 20 metre sister-ship off to the right and the completed superstructure for the fourth hull just emerged from it's build shed, the shipyard was busy, to put it mildly.

Two features of the black anti-fouled hull dominate as it stands on her launching trolley. First is the extensive use of keel cooling. The main engine, two gensets and two refrigeration systems all use keel cooling. The second feature of the underwater hull is the use of substantial passive roll control devices incorporated into the bilge chine. Located amidships and extending over about a quarter of the waterline length these plate and tube structures have been refined over the years by the shipyard.

In typical Allan Barnett fashion, the white hull has been set-up for multipurpose fishing. Essentially a cray-boat with deck controls for engine and steering and a shelter covering the forward and port side of the deck, she can easily and will be, set-up for tuna long lining. The foundation for the long line reel is located to port and the secondary controls have been located on the main deck such that the long line baiting and recovery operation can be easily installed.

The interior of the white hull also has two powerfully dominating features. Entering the wheelhouse one is immediately struck by the way flat screen electronics have come to dominate the wheel house layout. Flat screen, minimum thickness computer screens are used for satcom-C, radar, sounder and plotter. The second feature provided by the shipyard is the beautifully executed pine interior furniture. Its plain design, but robust dimensions shine with quality of finish and build. The whole accommodation is designed for up to eight crew and is fitted with a heat pump system providing heating and cooling via typical domestic heat pump systems.

The engine room has also received close attention to detail from the shipyard. Pipe work is uncomplicated yet tidily installed and well labelled. Aussie Pumps supply the bilge pumps and Stalker supplied the circulation pumps for the brine tanks. Engine room intake ventilation is ducted on centreline from the aft side of the wheelhouse roof and from there down to the engine room in way of the engine exhausts uptakes.

On April 6, the day after the launch, I returned to Bridport to witness the maiden voyage of the Jordan Kate. Her now gloss white pain highlighted with blue trim. The Jordan Kate maintains the shipyard's reputation for a spectacular paint finish. As soon as the tide allowed the Jordan Kate headed down the winding Brid River channel to the narrow exit to the Bass Strait. In the narrowest part of the channel, Allan demonstrated the effectiveness of their articulating rudder. Turning sharply to starboard, the Jordan Kate appeared to be about to become wedged athwart the narrow entrance, but a short burst astern power caused her to drift sedately with the in-flowing current. A final application of 'smoke free' power from her Cummins engine with full starboard rudder completed a perfect 'three-point-turn' in little more than her own length.'