Dear Editor: Last Thursday we celebrated a major milestone: the christening of the Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association’s first hybrid fishing boat conversion. Sen. Lisa Murkowski did the honors with a bottle of champagne after touring the FV Mirage, from wheelhouse to engine room, and meeting the team that made the project successful: Jeremy Serka of Sitka Custom Marine, engineer Chandler Kemp from UAF, Ben Mathys of Sitka Sparks, boat owner Jeff Turner, Dan Cooper from Cooper Marine Services, and ALFA staff.
Despite the challenges of pioneering equipment and fitting new technology into the confines of a 50-foot longline/troller, this team made it happen.
The Mirage can operate in full electric mode while hauling longline gear, trolling for salmon, or running into the harbor; it can recharge at sea when the diesel engine is running or plug in to shore-power and replenish batteries from Sitka’s hydropower. With fuel prices spiking, every hour of electric operation supports Jeff’s bottom line and lowers wear and tear on vessel and crew.
The Senator also toured the marine service and training center that Jeremy Serka has launched at Sitka’s industrial park, a facility that provides high quality and full-service boat building, repair, and now innovative technology upgrades. Senator Murkowski was deeply impressed by Jeremy’s commitment to the local fleet, to workforce development in Sitka, and to advancing technologies that keep Sitka’s many small businesses not only viable but thriving.
The team that implemented the Mirage hybrid will soon get to work converting the FV Energizer, a local gillnetter, from diesel to electric propulsion. The Energizer will mostly operate from batteries that are recharged at the dock but will also carry a small generator to recharge at sea for longer runs. Stop by Sitka Custom Marine to check on progress and tour the impressive facility.
Many thanks to the team who made the Mirage project and Thursday’s event such a success. Big shout out to ALFA staff Lauren Howard for organizing the event, to Emily Scott and Sara Beaber-Fujioka for their assist, and to Fireweed Dinner Service for providing an incredible miso sablefish meal. Finally, thank you to all who attended – it takes a community, and Sitka is one of the best!
Linda Behnken, Executive Director,
Alaska Longline
Fishermen’s Association
