Geelong Star
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}
| {{Infobox ship begin |display title=Geelong Star}}
{{Infobox ship image | Ship image=File:G-14 Næraberg IMO 8209171, at Klaksvik.jpg | Ship caption=Geelong Star as Naeraberg at IJmuiden in 2010 }} {{Infobox ship career | Hide header = | Ship name =*Dirk-Dirk KW 172 (1983–2009)
| Ship namesake = | Ship owner = *Parlevliet & van der Plas, Katwijk, Netherlands (1983–1993)(2016–)
| Ship country = | Ship flag = | Ship operator = | Ship registry =*{{flag|Netherlands}} (1983–1990)
|Ship homeport = | Ship route= | Ship ordered = | Ship builder = Scheepswerf- en Reparatiebedrijf "Harlingen" BV, Harlingen, Netherlands | Ship original cost = | Ship yard number = 64 | Ship way number = | Ship laid down = | Ship launched = October 1983 | Ship completed = 10 December 1983 | Ship christened = | Ship acquired = | Ship maiden voyage = | Ship in service = | Ship out of service = | Ship identification = {{IMO Number|8209171}} | Ship fate = | Ship status = In service | Ship notes = {{cite web|title=Dirk Dirk|url=https://ihsmarkit.com/products/sea-web-maritime-reference.html|website=Sea-web (subscription required)|publisher=IHS Markit|accessdate=6 March 2018}}{{cite web|title=Dirk-Dirk|url=http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/fleet/index.cfm?method=Search.ListSearchSimpleOneVessel&COUNTRY_CODE=NLD&CFR_CODE=NLD198300318&search_type=advanced&search_id=2768|website=EU Fleet Register|publisher=European Commission, Fisheries & Maritime Affairs|accessdate=10 March 2018}} }} {{Infobox ship characteristics | Hide header = | Header caption = | Ship class = Super-trawler | Ship tonnage = {{GT|3,181}}, {{DWT|2,756}} | Ship displacement = | Ship length = {{convert|95.2|m|abbr=on}} | Ship beam = {{convert|14.8|m|abbr=on}} | Ship height = | Ship draught = {{convert|5.1|m|abbr=on}} | Ship depth = {{convert|8.6|m|abbr=on}} | Ship decks = | Ship deck clearance = | Ship ramps = | Ship ice class = | Ship sail plan = | Ship power = {{convert|4,351|bhp|abbr=on}} | Ship propulsion = 6-cylinder diesel engine by MaK, single propeller | Ship speed = {{convert|14|knots|abbr=on}} | Ship capacity = | Ship crew = | Ship armament = | Ship notes = }} |
Geelong Star was a former name of the {{GT|3,181}} super-trawler and factory ship Dirk-Dirk, built in 1983 at Harlingen, Netherlands for the Dutch fishing company Parlevliet & van der Plas of Katwijk. In 2015–2016 Hobart Star was involved in political controversy and faced protests from those opposed to the use of super-trawlers in Australian fisheries.
Design and construction
The vessel was ordered in 1980 from the Dutch shipyard Scheepswerf- en Reparatiebedrijf "Harlingen" BV at Harlingen as yard number 64 with IMO number 8209171, launched in October 1983 and entered service in December that year. She has an overall length of {{convert|95.18|m|ftin}}, beam of {{convert|14.81|m|ftin}}, and loaded draught of {{convert|5.08|m|ftin}}, and a gross tonnage (GT) of 3,019 (modified to 3,181 GT in 2000). The trawler has two insulated fish holds totalling {{convert|4,300|m3|cuft}} and a deadweight tonnage of 2,756 tons. She is powered by a 6-cylinder {{convert|3,200|kW|bhp|adj=on}} MaK 6M551AK diesel engine geared to a controllable-pitch propeller and giving the trawler a service speed of {{convert|14.0|kn|lk=in}}.
Commercial service
The trawler, under several names, has remained in service with her initial owners, the Katwijk-based Parlevliet & van der Plas Haringhandel BV (PvdP), both directly or with a number of affiliated companies. She entered service as Dirk-Dirk under the Netherlands flag with call-sign PDQL and fishing port registration number KW 174. At the end of August 1990 she was re-registered in the port of Bremerhaven, Germany without change of name, given the port number BX 784 and call-sign DMBB and then, in 1993, transferred to PvdP's local subsidiary Doggerbank Seefischerei GmbH, with call-sign changed to DENR. In 1995 she was transferred within Germany to Ostbank Hochseefischerei GmbH & Co, Sassnitz and registered at Rostock with port number ROS 784.
In October 2009 Dirk-Dirk was renamed Naeraberg{{efn| Parlevliet & van der Plas and P/f JFK have subsequently owned another super-trawler Naeraberg of similar design, built as Dirk-Diederik in 1990 (IMO 8918318).}} and transferred to the Faroese flag and the ownership of P/f Naeraberg, a PvdP company operating in association with established local company P/f JFK, Klaksvik. She was registered at Klaksvik, with number KG 14 and call-sign XPXK.{{cite web|title=P/f JFK|url=http://www.fis.com/fis/companies/details.asp?l=e&company_id=75010|publisher=Fish Info & Services Co Ltd|accessdate=10 March 2018}} Naeraberg remained with the Faroese company until 2015, apart from a few months between October 2011 and February 2012 when she was registered at Klaipėda, with port number KL 453 and call-sign LYTM and operated by PvdP's Lithuanian subsidiary, JSC Atlantic High Sea Fishing Co, Vilnius. This is the same company that has owned the larger super-trawler Margiris since 2005.{{cite web|title=Margiris|url=http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/fleet/index.cfm?method=Search.ListSearchSimpleOneVessel&COUNTRY_CODE=LTU&CFR_CODE=NLD198502210&search_type=advanced&search_id=4145|website=EU fleet register|publisher=European Commission, Fisheries & Maritime Affairs|accessdate=10 March 2018}} Naeraberg was briefly returned to parent company PvdP in 2015 (reverting briefly to Dirk-Dirk), before being renamed Geelong Star under the Australian flag and ownership of Seafish Tasmania Pelagic Pty of Triabunna, Tasmania, which had previously owned Margiris as Abel Tasman. Geelong Star was registered at Geelong with call-sign VHJK, but bearing the Rostock fishery number ROS 7.{{cite news|title=P&P blij met Australische vergunning|url=https://www.visserijnieuws.nl/nieuws/pap-blij-met-australische-vergunning|accessdate=10 March 2018|work=Visserijnieuws|date=20 February 2015|location=Urk, Netherlands|language=Dutch}}
Following her withdrawal from the Australian venture by PvdB, Geelong Star again reverted to her original name Dirk-Dirk, to Netherlands flag and to Katwijk registry, though this time with port number KW 172 and call-sign PBBZ. She remains in active fishing service as at March 2018.
Australian operations
The ship was operated in Australia from 2015 until 2016 by Seafish Tasmania as fishing vessel Geelong Star and was permitted to catch 16,500 tons per year, later increased to 18,623 tons,{{cite web |title=Geelong Star fishing trawler given extra fishing area of one million square kilometres |url=http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/news/geelong/geelong-star-fishing-trawler-given-extra-fishing-area-of-one-million-square-kilometres/news-story/de70bcda32b5795b2c667a543b69cf08 |date=April 24, 2016 |publisher=Geelong Advertiser |accessdate=November 19, 2017}} of red bait, jack mackerel and sardines, using Corio Quay in Geelong as its home port during its time in Australia.{{cite web |title=Controversial trawler Geelong Star docks in Corio Quay |url=http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/news/geelong/controversial-trawler-geelong-star-docks-in-corio-quay/news-story/196ba03f48b3feb7320fd105a4ce10f1 |date=April 22, 2015 |publisher=Geelong Advertiser |accessdate=November 19, 2017}}
Trawling is banned in Tasmanian waters, with the Premier of Tasmania Will Hodgman saying,
""It's a matter that's determined by the Commonwealth Government, our position in Tasmania is very clear – trawling is in fact banned, we've banned trawling in Tasmanian waters...We also support the continuing ban on super trawlers which has been previously debated. I've communicated that to the Federal Government as well, but matters that come within their control and their responsibility are determined by them – but our position is very clear on this.{{cite web |title=Trawler backer lashes out at 'naive' opponents rallying against Geelong Star |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-04-21/trawler-backer-lashes-out-at-geelong-star-opponents/6408630 |date=April 28, 2015 |publisher=ABC |accessdate=November 19, 2017}}
In April 2015, The Tasmanian Greens brought forward a motion in the Tasmanian House of Assembly opposing the operation of the Geelong Star in Australian waters and waters around Tasmania.{{Cite web|last=Tasmanian Greens|first=Kim Booth|date=2015-04-21|title=Geelong Star Vote in Parliament|url=https://tasmps.greens.org.au/media-release/geelong-star-vote-parliament|access-date=2020-06-11|website=Tasmanian Greens MPs|language=en}} The motion was not supported by Will Hodgman or other Liberal Party members.{{Cite web|last=Tasmanian Greens|first=Kim Booth|date=2015-04-22|title=Liberals Supertrawler backflip = Support for Geelong Star|url=https://tasmps.greens.org.au/media-release/liberals-supertrawler-backflip-support-geelong-star|access-date=2020-06-11|website=Tasmanian Greens MPs|language=en}}
The vessel was permitted to take its quota of fish in a designated zone reaching from Queensland, around the south-east coast of Australia, to Western Australia.{{cite web |title=Largest fish trawler Geelong Star arrives in Australian waters |url=http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/largest-fish-trawler-geelong-star-arrives-in-australian-waters-20150401-1md4um.html |date=April 1, 2015 |publisher=Sydney Morning Herald |accessdate=November 19, 2017}}
Opposition to the operator of the trawler, Seafish Tasmania was interlinked with Tasmanian politics.{{cite web |url=http://tasmaniantimes.com/index.php/article/seafish-tasmania-cocaine-trawlers-and-a-fine-stink- |title=Seafish Tasmania, Cocaine, Trawlers and a fine Stink … |work=Tasmania Times |last=Hawkins |first=John |date=February 9, 2017 |accessdate=December 8, 2018}}For earlier super trawler issues {{Citation | author1=Australian Broadcasting Corporation. News | title=Seafish Tasmania welcomes legislation's debate | date=2012-09-12 | publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation | url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/188233047 | accessdate=19 November 2017 }}
Controversy around the ship reached Australian government level with Senate motions over the ship.{{Citation | author1=Fitzgibbon, Joel | title=Transcript of press conference: Parliament House, Canberra: 25 November 2015: Senate motion relating to the Geelong Star | date=2015-11-25 | url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/200683212 | accessdate=19 November 2017 }}{{Citation | last=Hunt |first=Greg | title=Transcript of interview with Mark Parton: 2CC Canberra: 5 May 2015: Q&A; climate change; Geelong Star | date=2015-05-05 | url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/193331430 | accessdate=19 November 2017 }}
The vessel operated in Australia waters without its Automatic Identification System enabled to avoid tracking of the ship by activists.{{cite web |title=Factory trawler Geelong Star turns off tracking device, fearing activist backlash |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-05-20/factory-trawler-geelong-star-turns-off-track-device/6485092 |date=May 20, 2015 |publisher=ABC |accessdate=November 19, 2017}}
On 31 October 2016 the ship left Australian waters and returned to the Netherlands,{{Citation | author1=Whish-Wilson, Peter | title=Super trawler Geelong Star leaves Australian waters in mysterious circumstances | date=2016-11-22 | url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/216690868 | accessdate=19 November 2017 }}{{Citation | author1=Australian Fisheries Management Authority | title=Departure of the Geelong Star from Australian waters | date=2016-11-23 | url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/217111624 | accessdate=19 November 2017 }} assuming her former name of Dirk Diederik KW 172.{{cite web |title=Geelong Star returns to The Netherlands after breakdown in deal with Seafish Tasmania |url=http://www.themercury.com.au/news/tasmania/geelong-star-returns-to-the-netherlands-after-breakdown-in-deal-with-seafish-tasmania/news-story/fe2e18c39c2f397a2950f7bd5b60c64e |date=November 24, 2016 |publisher=Mercury |accessdate=November 19, 2017 }}
=Protests=
Environmental groups were opposed to the style of the trawler and its capacities.{{Citation | author1=Australian Broadcasting Corporation. News | title=Green light for controversial trawler rubs environmentalists wrong way | date=2015-09-17 | publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation | url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/197223138 | accessdate=19 November 2017 }}{{Citation | author1=Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Radio National | title=Environmentalists to fight new fishing 'super trawler' | date=2015-03-23 | publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation | url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/192885476 | accessdate=19 November 2017 }}
During April 2015, recreational fishers in approximately 50 boats protested on Hobart's Derwent River against the operation of the trawler in Australian waters.{{cite web |title=Protesters take 'super trawler' dispute to River Derwent |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-04-19/anti-super-trawler-protests-move-to-river-derwent/6403894 |date=April 19, 2015 |publisher=ABC |accessdate=November 19, 2017}}
During May 2015, almost 400 residents of Geelong protested at the Geelong Waterfront requesting the trawler be banned from operating in Australian waters.{{cite web |title=Protest against the super trawler Geelong Star sends a strong message, Geelong rally told |url=http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/news/geelong/protest-against-the-super-trawler-geelong-star-sends-a-strong-message-geelong-rally-told/news-story/9f74be4c59f8db2f979febb333ad5698 |date=May 18, 2015 |publisher=Geelong Advertiser |accessdate=November 19, 2017}}
The public concern over Super Trawlers in general led to the forming of a political party specifically opposed to operations in Australian waters, the Australian Recreational Fishers Party.{{Citation | author1=Australian Broadcasting Corporation. News | title=New political party launched in opposition to super trawlers | date=2015-04-16 | publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation | url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/193216341 | accessdate=19 November 2017 }}
=Senate inquiry=
The Australian Senate launched an inquiry into super trawlers, chaired by Senator Peter Whish-Wilson.{{cite web |title=Geelong Star: Factory Trawler that's subject of Senate Inquiry disappears from Australian Waters |url=http://www.abc.net.au/newsradio/content/s4580198.htm |date=November 23, 2016 |publisher=ABC |accessdate=November 19, 2017}}
=Environmental impact=
While fishing Australian waters the ship was reported to have netted a whale shark,{{cite web |title=Environmental anger grows after Geelong Star snags a whale shark |url=http://www.news.com.au/national/tasmania/environmental-anger-grows-after-geelong-star-snags-a-whale-shark/news-story/7dd8674cae76761d2e6af1d8569417d8 |date=February 17, 2016 |publisher=News.com.au |accessdate=November 19, 2017 }} and causing the deaths of fur seals, albatross and dolphins, facing several bans from fishing zones.{{cite web |title=Trawler Geelong Star kills 'small number' of fur seals during fishing trip off NSW |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-16/geelong-star-killed-small-number-of-fur-seals-off-nsw/7174784 |date=February 17, 2016 |publisher=ABC|accessdate=November 19, 2017 }}
During May 2015, Federal Member for Corangamite Sarah Henderson wrote to Senator Richard Colbeck urging him to ban the trawler from operating in Australian waters.{{cite web |title=Sarah Henderson urges Liberal colleague to ban Geelong Star trawler |url=http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/news/geelong/sarah-henderson-urges-liberal-colleague-to-ban-geelong-star-trawler/news-story/4d0eb2f05490a35df681c3ff4c4fe306 |date=May 6, 2015 |publisher=Geelong Advertiser|accessdate=November 19, 2017 }}
During June 2016, operators of the vessel in Australia, Seafish Tasmania objected to the release of video footage of a dolphin being captured in the nets of Geelong Star, claiming the footage would cause damage to their business reputation and incite environmental activists to protest at the company's operations.{{cite web |title=Fight to prevent videos showing dolphins caught in Geelong Star's nets from being released |url=http://www.themercury.com.au/news/tasmania/fight-to-prevent-videos-showing-dolphins-caught-in-geelong-stars-nets-from-being-released/news-story/8b0ac3ebe8499cf27ba0bef019ce6379 |date=June 2, 2016 |publisher=Mercury |accessdate=November 19, 2017}}
The reduction of impact on small pelagic fisheries was negotiated,{{Citation | author1=Colbeck, Richard | title=Geelong Star registered to fish the small pelagic fishery | date=2015-02-13 | url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/193144711 | accessdate=19 November 2017 }} but ultimately failed.{{cite press release |url=http://assistant.agricultureminister.gov.au/pages/Media-Releases/progress-on-geelong-star-negotiations.html |archive-url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20160217014800/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/154859/20160217-1248/assistant.agricultureminister.gov.au/pages/Media-Releases/progress-on-geelong-star-negotiations.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 17, 2016 |title=Progress made on Geelong Star negotiations |publisher=Senator the Hon. Anne Ruston |date=December 1, 2015 |accessdate=December 8, 2018}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}{{Citation | author1=Ruston, Anne | title=Progress made on Geelong Star negotiations | date=2016-02-25 | url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/200951133 | accessdate=19 November 2017 }}
In November 2016, the Australian Fisheries Management Authority announced it was looking into video streaming technology aboard trawlers to improve their response to the welfare of endangered marine wildlife.{{cite web |title=Fisheries authority considers streaming video from boats to ensure safety of marine life |url=http://www.barossaherald.com.au/story/4287512/fisheries-authority-considers-streaming-video-from-boats-to-ensure-safety-of-marine-life/ |date=November 11, 2016 |publisher=Barossa Herald |accessdate=November 19, 2017}}
See also
Notes
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References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
{{commons category|IMO 8918318}}
- [http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/search.php?search_imo=8209171&sortkey=p.lid&sortorder=desc&page_limit=12&viewtype=1&mod_page_limit=144 Photographs of this ship (IMO 8209171)]
- [https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/shipid:2932640/vessel:DIRK%20DIRK Details for the Ship Dirk Dirk (IMO Number: 8209171) with current real time position and ship photos]
Category:Ships of the Faroe Islands
Category:Fishing ships of Australia
Category:Merchant ships of Lithuania
Category:Ships of the Netherlands