Megaptere 210 Innovative, competitive trimaran fishing boat

The MEGAPTERE 210 project's goal is to come up with a global solution to the problems encountered by current trawlers, using the concept of the trimaran hull to increase vessel competitiveness through a 30% reduction in fuel consumption, achieved as a result of lessening the hull's resistance to forward movement, and to improve vessel and crew safety in terms of stability and unsinkability.

The MEGAPTERE 210 project will involve testing a genuinely operational life-sized prototype of the trawler which will be considered the first of the units destined for mass production. The hull and the entire structure and superstructure of the boat will be made from FRP (Fibreglass Reinforced Polyester). The trimaran's composite hull, while maintaining the same fishing capacity, will have a displacement of almost 29% less than a single-hull vessel made from steel - 143 t as against 200 t.

The hydrodynamic features of the MEGAPTERE trimaran, particularly its streamlined hulls, will result in positive improvements to the vessel's sea-keeping, course stability and overall stability in particular.

A reorganised working deck will exploit the potential offered by the increased width to improve the crew's working conditions and make them safer, as well as to optimise the boat's versatility as regards the use of alternative fishing techniques and onboard storage of catches. The new design will also enable crew accommodation to be moved from below to above decks and the living quarters to be reorganised as a result, with the aim of increasing crew sfatey and improving living conditions (e.g. noise pollution, hygiene, comfort and amenities).

The stability of the platform also makes the vessel's acoustic equipment (sounders) more likely to yield better results during fish finding, a factor which will help reduce the length of expeditions and limit periods spent not actively fishing.

From an industry point of view, the MEGAPTERE 210 project will provide commercial fishing with equipment that offers new levels of performance, thus leading to further propects for development and giving the fishing boat construction sector a fresh impetus in domestic and particularly export markets.