Remote Closure of Sea Inlets

Summary

Over half of fishing vessel losses are attributed to flooding, mainly due to the failure of pipes and fittings in the engineroom. Often, when flooding is discovered the crew find it impossible to reach and close the sea inlet valves to stop the flow of water and the vessel is lost. John Buchan, a retired engineer from Peterhead, had an innovative idea to enable the remote closure of sea inlet valves and this report describes the development of his ‘Hydraclose’ concept and a demonstration installation on a 25.6m vessel. Companies in Peterhead and Fraserburgh have developed this system and the Scottish Executive has given major support by the provision of a FIFG grant towards the vessel demonstration costs.

Author

• A. Dean

Publication Reference No.

SR547

Publication date

01 October 2002