Fishing and Gear Technology

Unit 11 - Trawl fishing gear and operation

11.4.Side Trawling
In side trawling the net is set over the side. This method has been gradually replaced with stern trawling. There are only very few side trawlers operating throughout the world. Side trawlers have a forecastle- the forward part of the vessel and wheel house at the aft with the engine room below. The working deck is forward with one or more hatches to the holds below. A two drum winch with towing warps is situated in the forward of the wheel house which also has two warping heads or gypsies for handling running lines. The winch may be placed anywhere on the fore deck to allow convenient runs of wire ropes with the help of deck bollards. Two gallows are provided on port the side of the vessel. Forward gallow is situated just abaft the forecastle and aft gallow is placed in the side of the wheel house. A towing block is situated at the aft port side of the vessel were warps are clamped together while towing the trawl gear. A well stayed mast is situated at the forward end of the working deck and in a second mast is situated in the aft.