fishing processes. The risk connected vith an investment in a shrimp 

 trawler, as a result, is considerably heightened. 



The same does not necessarily hold true of the smaller motor- 

 boat operations (craft with a capacity of less than five tons) vhere the 

 investment specifically required for shrimping is not large enough to 

 impede conversion to other activities. Because of the relatively greater 

 significance of vessel operations, the subsequent discussion will deal, 

 except uhere othen^ise specified, with vessel rather than boat operations, 



EQUIPMENT 



Fishing Craft 



Types of Craft Employed 



For a great many years in the shrimp fishery sailing vessels and 

 small non-powered boats, principally row boats, were used for fishing 

 operations. Substantially all shrimp fishing was carried on in shallow 

 water from 6 inches to 6 feet deep. Some of the fishermen even operated 

 without floating equipment, using cast nets or dip nets and haul seines. 



The original inshore and offshore shrimpers were not designed, 

 in the true sense of the word, but were developed from types already in 

 use along the Florida and Gulf coasts. Their hull forms were developed 

 by rule of thumb and fishing experience. The basic design was derived 

 from the forms of Mediterranean work-boat types adapted to the conditions 

 peculiar to Atlantic and Gulf coast operation. The vast majority of ves- 

 sels are still built with crude plans, without the aid of scientific 

 knovjledge, and without much regard for their specialized use. 



There are two types of vessels which can be said to have been 

 developed especially for the shrimp industry. The type most comiaonly 

 employed in the Atlantic and Gulf coast offshore fishery is the so-called 

 Florida -type vessel, named for the state where the design originally was 

 developed . The other type of boat widely used in the shrimp fishery is 

 the bow dragger or Blloxi-type vessel. 



The most important difference in design between the two vessel 

 types is the location of the X'jheel house, which on the Florida -type vessel 

 is foi'ward and on the bow dragger, aft. Wliile the Florida-type vessel is 

 distinguished by greater raaneuverability and makes it possible for the 

 fisherman to haul the nets more quickly, the bow dragger is considered to 

 be more seat^orthy and is capable of towing under greater strain. The 

 proximity of the engine to the propeller in the latter type reduces shaft 

 troubles . 



The Florida-type hull usually has a round bottom, flared bow, 

 and a broad square transom stem. The deckhouse is forward and the clear 

 fishing deck, aft. Nets are towed from booms. The engine room is under 



63 



