Engey is one of the new generation of trawlers, the first of three built for HB Grandi at Celiktrans in Turkey, while Samherji and Fisk Seafood have four newbuilds between them from the Cemre yard.
Commenting on Engey's first trip with its innovative unmanned fishroom, Friðleifur Einarsson said that this was a five-day trip that started on fishing grounds off the south-west of Iceland.
"We started on our home fishing grounds and had two days on redfish. From there we shifted north to the Westfjords grounds and did well on cod both on the Hali grounds and in the Thverál Gully. There was a slight showing of saithe in the catch, but nothing special," he said, adding that in addition to the crew, five technicians from Skaginn 3X joined them for the trip to monitor the catch handling systems the company installed.
"Everything worked as it was supposed to. There were a few minor hitches, but those were quickly fixed. The automated fishroom system, which is a real innovation, worked perfectly and the catch handling facilities on the main deck could hardly be better. On the other hand, it'll take time to master all of the ship's computer systems and to get everything 100% right. But that's something we'll get used to,' he said.
Engey is more economic to run than HB Grandi's older trawlers and Friðleifur Einarsson said that they can bunker every second trip instead of having to refuel every trip, as he was used to with previous trawler Ásbjörn.
