Fishing Vessel Energy Audit Pilot Project Announced

A fishing vessel energy audit pilot project under way by the Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation is asking for owners of fishing vessels to volunteer to participate in the project.

The vessel owners will receive free audits in exchange for information regarding energy systems and use during normal fishing operations on their vessel and approximately one to two days of vessel and owner time in order to coordinate and perform the walk-through audit.

Due to limited funding, the pilot project will be restricted to vessels between 30 feet and 125 feet in length. Julie Decker, development director for AFDF, said they would like to hear from vessel owners by June 15.

To find out more about volunteering to participate in the pilot project, contact Decker at jdecker@afdf.org.

AFDF has issued a request for proposals from qualified contractors to provide vessel energy auditing and energy efficiency management services for the development and implementation of this pilot project. The fishing vessel energy audits will provide analyses of energy use and cost, and recommendations to reduce energy use and cost for these specific vessels, and in a format applicable to other vessels with similar characteristics and operational patterns.

More information on the RFP is at http://www.afdf.org/rfp-fveap/.

The intent of the project is to identify fuel savings through energy efficiency practices or upgrades onboard fishing vessels in Alaska. Fishing vessels have the potential to reduce energy use through improved efficiency by 15-40 percent.

Results of the audits will be provided to the vessel owners and other fishermen with vessels of similar size and/or gear types. The final analysis of the pilot project will also help to inform a potential long-term program for the state of Alaska.

AFDF is collaborating with the Alaska Energy Authority, industry representatives and the University of Alaska Sea Grant Marine Advisory Program on the pilot project. The effort is funded through a grant from the Alaska Legislature and is being administered through the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development.