Sealord trawler problems raise questions, union says

Engine problems have indefinitely tied up Sealord's factory trawler Independent 1, brought in last year as part of the group's move to do more processing at sea and dogged by mechanical trouble ever since.

The 43-metre vessel, which has two crews of 34, was assisted into Port Nelson by a tug on March 4. The port's shipping list gives its departure date as June 13.

Sealord's New Zealand fleet manager, Colin Williams, said this morning that "it's just a mechanical failure, that's all".

He said the Independent 1 would "not necessarily" remain in port until June and referred further questions to Sealord's communications consultant, Merrill Coke.

Ms Coke said Sealord did not wish to make any comment.

Sealord leased the Independent 1 from New Zealand company Independent Fisheries last year. The ship was built in 1997 and its on-board factory had not been in use in the 3 1/2 years before Sealord took it over. It had been based in Oman and had to have an engine rebuild in Australia on its delivery voyage to Nelson.

Service and Food Workers Union assistant national secretary Neville Donaldson said the Independent 1 had been beset by problems from the outset. He understood it had broken down again after it began fishing for Sealord and returned to sea ahead of the latest breakdown.

Mr Donaldson said he had not received any inquiries from crew members his union represented since the ship was tied up. Their contracts meant they should not lose financially.

However, he said the Independent 1 problems raised questions about Sealord's restructuring last year, which cost 160 jobs at the Vickerman St factory. The basis for the change was Sealord could operate more profitably by processing an additional 7000 tonnes of fish at sea.

With the Independent 1 tied up, Sealord was "not getting the fish or getting the profit", Mr Donaldson said. "What's the economics since they laid off the staff?"

The Independent 1 was added to Sealord's fleet to predominantly target hoki on voyages of about five weeks. Its factory can produce fillets with skin on or off, mince, fish meal and fillet blocks.

- © Fairfax NZ News