Article Category: Deck Machinery

Innovations in Work Vessel Deck Machinery

Innovations in Work Vessel Deck Machinery

By Karen Robes Meeks karen@maritimepublishing.com In the commercial vessel deck machinery market, companies have been improving upon product lines of reels, cranes, winches, power blocks and other forms of equipment and technology in recent years. And deck machinery and vessel services provider MacGregor, for one, has said there’s “a growing market for electric deck systems.”  “As with electric cranes, electric deck machinery enables significant OpEx savings—especially when factoring in its reduced maintenance and spare parts requirements,” Thomas Kappel, a senior MacGregor executive for deck machinery, said. “It is also more compact and easier to install than hydraulic-electric systems, while the absence of hydraulic oil makes it safer for the crew and the environment.” Marine powe...
Demand for More Efficient Deck Equipment Among Trends in Sector

Demand for More Efficient Deck Equipment Among Trends in Sector

Concerns over fish prices, more electrical equipment for decks and suppliers stocking up – all are emerging trends in deck equipment in the fishing industry. But in a sector grappling with increasing costs and stricter regulations, greater efficiency provided by equipment may be the trend that stands out. Stricter regulations in particular, which vary by nation as well as U.S. states, are having an impact. Fishing activity in California, for example, has changed over time largely due to increased regulation, according to data from California Sea Grant and Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Data from NOAA Fisheries bears that out. It shows 186,235,203 tons were landed by commercial fishermen in the state in 2022. The data overall reflects a downward trend, falling from 188,045,817 ton...
Commercial Vessel Deck Machinery: Innovations in the Industry

Commercial Vessel Deck Machinery: Innovations in the Industry

The innovation of deck machinery for commercial fishing vessels is ever-present in the maritime industry. While a winch will always be a winch, a newer model may pack the same power in a smaller footprint. A crane is always a crane, but the modern version may be all-electric. And the list goes on. Herein some of the deck machinery industry’s major players discuss their newest and best-selling products, as well as industry trends. Markey Machine Seattle-based Markey Machine saw an ownership shift late last year, closing a growth investment with Christian Schiller and Brian Bogen. “The new ownership arrangement offers many advantages, particularly in the area of future growth of Markey,” according to Scott Atkinson, Markey Machine’s vice president of business development. “Markey’s ren...
Efficient, Rugged Products  Lead the Industry for Deck Machinery

Efficient, Rugged Products Lead the Industry for Deck Machinery

Considering the demanding environment and modern technology, deck machinery geared toward commercial fishing vessels has been upgraded in recent years to improve efficiency, save time and money and work harder. There have been several innovative solutions from both local and global companies that focus on enhancing winches, cranes, power blocks and equipment. Some of the most notable products on the market include rugged winches with customized control and automatic tension-line response, slinky pot conversions with simple rebuilds that increase torque and trawl winches operated via a motor connected directly to the drum. Fishermen’s News reached out to several manufacturers and suppliers to find out the latest. Markey Machine Seattle-based Markey Machine is a longtime leader in ...
Deck Machinery in 2022

Deck Machinery in 2022

The West Coast commercial fishing fleet is blessed with many dynamic deck machinery manufacturers of both independent-family owned and multinational-corporate varieties. New products are regularly announced and legacy products improved. Shop expansions move forward, increasing field-service capabilities, and bestselling trends shift. Companies rise and fall. For those in the commercial fishing industry, tracking the pulse of the region’s deck machinery scene is part of the lifestyle. Herein are a few notable highlights from the industry to help you stay informed. La Conner Maritime: La Conner and Mount Vernon, Wash. La Conner Maritime was founded by Ed Oczkewicz in 1978 to make deck gear for commercial fishing boats. The company started providing field service in Bristol Bay aroun...
Fishermen’s News  2021 Deck Gear & More Survey

Fishermen’s News 2021 Deck Gear & More Survey

Kolstrand Expands Product Lines with Acquisition of Nordic/JK Fabrication It’s been nine months since Integrity Machining, Inc., maker of Kolstrand marine deck equipment, announced the acquisition of the assets of Seattle, Wash.-based J.K. Fabrication, Inc., maker of Nordic winches. Fishermen’s News called them recently to learn how the merger was succeeding during Washington state’s Covid restrictions. “The entire team from JK Fabrication came across and have stayed with us at Integrity Machining’s much larger facility in Marysville, Wash. This has significantly expanded Kolstrand’s already broad product line, to create a leader in the production and supply of all types of equipment for the entire fishing industry,” Integrity Machining President Paul Glyer explained. “This has create...