MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falklands' fishing fleet latest incorporation F/V Argos Cies Open Day

F/VArgos Cies Captain and Crew pose at FIPASS with some of the Argos Group shareholders (Pic Ian Stewart)

The stern trawler F/V Argos Cies opened its doors at FIPASS to the general public last Sunday as it became the latest new-build to join the Falkland Islands fishing fleet. Members of the public were given a tour of ship, as were invited guests during a reception held in the evening.

 The newest addition to the Falklands’ fishing fleet F/V Argos Cies was launched in Vigo, Spain on October 17 in front of 260 invited guests.

From Argos Group Ltd a number of Directors, Shareholders, family members and staff travelled to Vigo to mark the occasion.

Speeches were made by Jose Ramon Regueira, Commercial Director of Nodosa Shipyard, Drew Irvine of Argos Group Ltd, Jose Enrique Pereira Molares of Armadora Pereira, a blessing by Luis Quintero Fiuza and finally a short speech by the vessel God Mother, Sheila Stewart of Argos Group Ltd who then released the champagne bottle and christened the vessel.

The F/V Argos Cies is named after the Argos Company, which has been involved in fishing around the Falkland Islands since 1988; and the Cies Islands which protect the entrance to the Bay of Vigo in Galicia.

The vessel was built at the Nodosa shipyard in Marin, Galicia for Jupiter Fishing Company Ltd, a 50:50 joint venture between Armadora Pereira SA of Spain and Argos Group Ltd of Stanley, Falkland Islands.

The Argos Cies replaces the F/V Argos Galicia which had fished in the Falklands for Jupiter Fishing Co Ltd, utilizing ITQ owned by Argos Group Ltd, since 1996.

Argos Cies has a gross tonnage of 1999MT, is 75 meters in overall length and has accommodation for up to 50 crew.

The vessel boasts the following improved safety aspects:

• A back-up system so that in the event of main engine failure the generators can function as an engine to get the ship back home;

• A Bridge Navigational Watch and Alarm System which monitors the awareness of the Officer of the Watch and automatically alerts other officers if the Officer of the Watch becomes incapacitated;

• A day-night thermal camera improving the external view from the Bridge in low visibility and at night; and,

• CCTV covering key interior and exterior areas which helps with manoeuvring, early detection of anomalies in the engine room and safety on deck.

- The following design features have been incorporated to reduce impact on the environment.

• The factory will have an offal tank which will allow the accumulation of waste generated during processing. The tank avoids continuous discarding, which is known to attract birds to the vessel and increase the risk of bird interactions with the vessel;

• The vessel will also be fitted with Fixed Aerial Arrays which have been shown to be more effective than the traditional Tori lines at keeping birds away from the vessel, and crucially, much safer for the crew to operate;

• The primary freezing system eliminates the need to use fluorinated gases and the secondary system uses a non-toxic and biodegradable substance;

• LED lighting has been installed which reduces energy consumption; and,

• Above the waterline the hull has been treated with a Zinc coating which provides enhanced corrosion protection and decreases the use of anticorrosive paints which may have a negative environmental impact.(PN).-