Editorial: Jensen Maritime Conversions
Fishermen's News Editorial
BluSiren (formerly A.WordSmith)’s September 2018 article “Supply Boat Conversions: Convert Your Thinking About Fishing Newbuilds” in Fishermen’s News argues that commercial fishing operators, especially in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, face mounting costs and regulatory changes around upgrading their aging fleets. Seattle-based Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering Firm Jensen Maritime Consultants identifies a major opportunity: hundreds of laid-up U.S. Gulf-flagged platform supply vessels (PSVs) built for the oil & gas boom are now idle and could be cost-effectively converted into commercial fishing vessels. These PSVs already possess the size, stability, deck space, crew accommodations and propulsion systems compatible with large fishing operations—so by selecting the right hull, performing proper surveys and design work, and overseeing the conversion carefully, operators can get into service faster and cheaper than building new.
Fishermen’s News was a U.S. magazine that for more than 75 years served the commercial fishing industry covering everything from legislative news and vessel operations to safety at sea and current permit prices. In 2020 the publication ceased operations, marking the end of one of the longest-running trade publications dedicated to commercial fishing.
Jensen Maritime Consultants, founded in 1961 in Seattle, was a full-service naval architecture and marine engineering firm renowned for designing and converting a wide array of vessels — including fishing boats, fireboats, workboats, tugs and ferries. In 2008, the company was acquired by Crowley to become part of its technical services group, enabling Jensen’s expertise to be integrated into Crowley’s broader ship-design, build and operate offerings. In more recent years, the company has been folded into the Crowley business.