Fishing Craft Technology

Unit 1 - History and development of fishing craft

1.1. Development of Fishing Craft

Definition
Fishing vessel is a floating device used for fishing activities like, fishing, fish transportation, research and training purpose.

Development of fishing Craft
No one knows exactly how the first crafts were made or when they were used. It was certainly in prehistoric times but unfortunately there are no remains of these earliest vessels in existence today to tell us anything of their construction or the men who made them. Our prehistoric ancestors soon found some sort of ‘boat’ essential as a means of crossing rivers and navigating inland water ways. Initially the problems would almost certainly have been solved by the use of floating logs. Primitive man would sit astride the floating tree trunk and either row with his hands or use tree branches or pieces of bark as paddles. This crude form of transport was improved upon by the development of the stable raft. It consists of several tree trunks tied together with strings. This type of boat is called “CATAMARAN”.

These crafts however remained too slow, heavy and unwieldy. Soon came realization – perhaps from observation of the shape of a fish that, more stream lined vessel would move through the water more easily. Thus the canoe was developed made from a single hollowed out log with the refinements of a sharpened bow and stern. This is called as “DUGOUT CANOE’. Suitable logs were probably hollowed out by burning or by chipping away the wood with primitive tools.

The canoe was a reasonably safe craft for inland water ways, but too easily turned over in rougher water to make it suitable for going in to the sea, they have started to fitted with some sorts of plat form to protect the people on board and the goods carried from waves which might wash over the top of the logs. The idea of adding a deck was also a great step forward in the process of producing a seaworthy craft. The next step was taken to make the canoe more stable so that it would not capsize on the open sea. This was done by adding floating attachments (out riggers) on one or both sides of the canoe lashed in place to simple spars. This type of canoe was called as ‘RAMPHANI’. The next necessary step was to build up the sides of canoes to stop them from flooding and enable them to ride the waves. This led to the building up of hulls from bark skin and other light weight materials stretched over a frame work of the required stiffness. Such a light weight hull was found to be stable enough without outriggers.

While during these developments man has learnt the utilization of oar, bamboo poles for movement of vessels. In the history of civilization, progress can often be attributed to (the desire to) avoid physical effort. In this case as rowing was both slow and strenuous, another means of propulsion through the water was sought. The only natural force that primitive man could use to his advantage apart from river currents was the strength of wind. Perhaps he had noticed occasions when the wind pushed craft along without need of oars and paddles or perhaps he had observed the effect of wind on the wings of birds. This result leads to invention of the sails. Initially this consisted of a wide surface of leaves tied to a pole placed vertically in the canoe or raft. However, the use of leaves did not entirely solve the problems and later skins were used. At this point in history the progress of navigation by sail was open to the initiation of future inventors. These sails require more strength to withstand different weather conditions. When there is no wind they have to depend on manual power.
After some time man started to use mechanical power. Engines are used to movement of the vessel and mechanical equipments are used for operating the gear. Fishing boats are developed based on topographical factors, local region, environmental condition, available resource facilities for construction.


Powers used for the propulsion of fishing craft
There are three powers used for the movement of fishing vessel.

• Manual power
• Wing power
• Mechanical power

Limitations of Indigenous craft:

• Cannot possible for go to deep water
• It is not possible to catch large quantities of fish
• Cannot meet the demand of fish
• It increases the cost of fish
• Propulsion by wind or oar – speed is less
• Limited carrying capacity
• Requires good weather conditions
• No proper preservation facilities
• No facilities for crews for cooking and sleeping etc.,

Advantages of mechanized craft:

• Mechanical propulsion – Higher speed, shorter time to reach the fishing grounds.
• Fish holds with preservation facilities.
• There will be safety and good working environment.
• Possibilities of bulk catching