SME universe | Naval design FMP builds its first hybrid lobster boat

A boat for electric lobster fishing – the boat, not the lobster.

Conception navale FMP, of Newport, in the Gaspé, has launched the construction of its first hybrid-powered aluminum lobster boat.

“This is an important project for us,” says Patrick Fortier-Denis, the company’s marine engineer. “I used to work for a maritime research center, and this case was precisely one that I had identified with a high potential for hybridization. ”

The 36 ‘long and 12’ wide lobster boat is a small coastal boat powered by a gasoline outboard motor, alongside which will hang an electric outboard.

“For us, this was what made the most sense, because we also have to think about port facilities,” notes the engineer. In the Gaspé and in the region, not all fishing ports have electrical installations that allow very large batteries to be recharged in one evening. ”

Anglers who want to quickly get to and from their fishing area can take advantage of the power of the gasoline engine, only to use the electric motor when maneuvering at low speed around the traps.

Aluminum shell

The weight saving of the aluminum hull allows this small lobster to accommodate a battery of reasonable size, to “obtain gains not only in energy efficiency, but also in the quality of life of the fisherman”.

On boats of this size, the winches are usually powered by a hydraulic device activated by a small gasoline engine placed on the deck. “It’s like the fisherman has a gasoline lawn mower engine next to him all day. ”

With a hybrid system, it will be replaced by an electric motor.

“I like to say that we are going to give a little poetry back to fishing,” continues Patrick Fortier-Denis. They will be able to raise the cages in silence and enjoy the beautiful sunsets over the Baie des Chaleurs. I think it will be priceless for them. ”

Always innovate

From the hull to the superstructures, the boat is entirely designed by the engineer and his small team: two permanent employees and a part-time student.

“We always try to innovate, both in our hull shapes and in the way we build them,” he says.

The floors and frames that form the internal structure of the aluminum hull are cut with notches that facilitate their positioning and assembly, in preparation for welding. “The pieces fit together, like a big puzzle,” describes the engineer.

Assembly time is reduced, a great advantage in a context of labor shortage.

“Instead of having welders and assemblers spending their time running around and trying to figure out where the part goes on the boat, they can focus on making a beautiful boat,” he laughs.

Half a million

The lobster boat should be delivered in the spring, in time for the new season.

The cost of the project is $ 487,000. Conception navale FMP and Chantier naval Forillon, which for its part is carrying out a similar program, have both just received grants of approximately $ 200,000 from the Support Program for the Development of Strategic Sectors and Niches of Excellence from the Ministry of Quebec’s Economy and Innovation.

“We will both be able to learn from these experiences,” says Patrick Fortier-Denis.

Full notebook

Naval Design FMP was founded in 2017 by Francis Parisé (father) and his sons, Matthew and Francis.

The family already had a welding workshop in Port-Daniel where they maintained boats.

In 2019, the company hired marine engineer Patrick Fortier-Denis to create its own in-house design department.

“For the past year and a half, I’ve been doing the design,” he says. We are in the process of finishing our first in-house designed aluminum boat. The hybrid boat is our second. ”

Six vessels have been manufactured since 2017. The approximately 45 employees of the company are completing a 72-foot midshore crabber that will be delivered in the coming weeks to New Brunswick.

A 75 ‘crabeater, just launched, is destined for Nova Scotia.

Different concepts

Both are based on concepts acquired outside.

“But our next crab fisher, which we will start in a year, will be an internal concept,” says Patrick Fortier-Denis.

“Right now, our crabeater order book is officially full for three years. And we are in discussions with other customers for even further in time. ”

The design of hybrid boats is being carried out in parallel. For now, the company wants to ensure market penetration for its inshore lobster before scaling the technology to larger boats – a step that will come soon, says the engineer.

But first, “we want our prototype to be salesy enough for the guys to say to themselves: I would like that, me, to fish and not hear my mower anymore!” “

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200,000

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