David Linkie

14 April, 2008

THE NEW Shetland 19m twin-rig/pair trawler Prolific LK986 was named at Whitby on Saturday afternoon by Kimberley Robb for her dad, skipper Colin Robb, and his partners, Victor Robertson, Mark Spall, Steven Wilson and Mark Anderson.

The naming ceremony and blessing by Whitby Mission to Seamen Chaplain Reverend Edwin Newlyn was watched by nearly 300 family members and friends from Shetland and northeast Scotland, many of whom had taken advantage of school holidays to spend a few days in Yorkshire before the launch.

Designed by Ian Paton of SC McAllister and built by Parkol Marine Engineering, Prolific is almost identical to the Copious LK985 that has performed consistently well since being delivered to Skeld skipper Mark Anderson less than two years ago, also by Parkol Marine Engineering.

After Prolific was smoothly lifted into the River Esk by Sarens using a 1000 tonne crane, 320 guests enjoyed a celebratory dinner in a specially erected marquee at Beacon Farm, Smeaton, followed by dancing.

A large iced cake depicting Prolific was one of the prizes in a raffle organised by Sandra Anderson, which raised around £900 to be shared equally between the RNMDSF and the RNLI.

In his speech, skipper Colin Robb drew attention to the strenuous efforts Parkol's workforce had made in recent months to overcome unexpected delays in building caused by some key items of equipment being delivered later than scheduled to ensure that Prolific was launched during the school holidays as requested by the owners.

Scheduled to run sea trials next month, Prolific is fitted with a Mitsubishi propulsion engine, Reintjes gearbox, Lips sterngear and Doosan auxiliary engines.