vessels must comply vdth American Bureau of Shipping Requiranents. 



Fleet Operations 



The tuna clipper could be easily converted to small-scaU fleet 

 operations involving a few catcher boats. There has already been 

 seme interest shown in this type of operation in the central Pacific 

 grounds now under investigation by the Pacific Oceanic Fishery In- 

 vestigations. The clippers, as motherships, probably could not carry 

 catcher boats on deck to operate long-line gear. The smallest catcher 

 vessels used successfully by the Japanese are about 50 tons. Attanpts 

 to transport such vessels even considerably lighter than 50 tons would 

 present very serious questions of stability. Smaller catcher boats 

 could be utilized if the stay at sea was not protracted, for instance 

 in fl.shing out of one of the Line Islands. It is possible that such a 

 fleet of boats could be used to fish for a succession of clip)pers 

 arriving on the grounds. 



There would be only a moderate amount of structural modification 

 needed to convert to mothership operations. If the mothership also 

 runs some long-line gear it would probably be necessary to eliminate 

 the bait tank to provide deck space for the long-line hauler and storage 

 of gear. Deck arrangements could be converted for hi^ly efficient 

 operation. The addition of a feathering propeller, a sailing clutch, 

 or a reverse gear would be an important improvement over the direct 

 reversible engine » 



There are no other imperative changes. Space and quarters for the 

 crew are sufficient. It is estimated that 9 men woiild be needed to 

 operate a clipper as a mothership. If the vessel carried on additional 

 fishing activities the crew would have to be increased to 12 or 18 

 men. 



SHOULD THE TUm FLEET MOVE TO OTHER LO CA TIONS TO 

 OBTAIN MORE FAVORABLE OPERATING CONDITIONS? 



New Areas Available to the Tuna Fleet for Fishing 

 Operations or for Bases 



Since the United States tuna clipper fleet is adapted to long- 

 range fishing it is reasonable for the tuna industry to consider 



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