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Accommodations

North Sea Fishing with the Professionals
6 days - - May-Oct - From US $ 2,981

PD-47 is the official European Union fishing vessel designation for a side beam trawler unofficially named "Osprey II". PD-47 is a typical, modern "euro-trawler" in the larger size range, about 40 meters in length and over 8 meters in width. Built in 1984, PD-47 was built in Holland, but is currently registered in Great Britain and operated by a Dutch fishing company owned by the de Boer family which has been in commercial fishing for several generations.

Side beam trawlers are designed for a single mission, catching valuable bottom fish such as sole, turbot and plaisce. With a giant 2000 horsepower engine, PD-47 is capable of pulling two large nets along the bottom of the Noprt Sea at a speed of over 6 knots. When the nets are up, the ship can cruise at about 13 knots. She also carries large elctrical generators to power her net winches and the many tons of ice-making equipment necessary to keep the catch cold and fresh in a refrigerated compartment.

PD-47 carries a crew of five to seven, including a skipper and an engineering officer. Accommodations are not luxurious but comfortable. The crew and any guests sleep in three cabins near the stern. Two of the cabins have two bunks each and one has four. Guests are usually placed in one of the double cabins. Bunks are typical marine style, with a built-in shelf for reading material, a personal night light, electrical outlet for chargers and curtains for privacy. Each cabin also has a closet for each crew member, as well as some small tables and bench seating. However, most "sitting around" is done in the dining room (mess cabin) of the ship.

The crew head (toilet) and shower are in two separate rooms on the main deck adjacent to the dining room. These are not fancy facilities, but are kept clean and generally neat. Showers offer plenty of fresh hot water, though everyone is asked to conserve fresh water by keeping showers short.

Also on the main deck is a washup or "mud room" with a large wash basin, with plenty of soap to accommodate several people at once. This room serves as a transition place between the deck and the living quarters. Coming in from the deck, everyone takes off their foul weather gear and boots, washes upo and changes into their indoor footgear, generally some sort of clogs or sandals. Wet foul weather gear can be hung in a special heated closet for drying. There is great emphasis on not taking grime into the living and dining areas.

Meals are cooked by a designated member of the crew who has skills in cooking. Three hearty meals are prepared daily and snacking and coffee breaks are available at other times. Meals are traditional Dutch fare, and are long on quantity aimed at fueling the hard-working crew. This is not a cruise for epicurian meals, but you absolutely will not go hungry! No dainty eating here.

Soft drinks and bottled water are always available. Alcoholic beverages are only available on Friday afternoon, at the end of the week's cruise. Beer is carried on board to celebrate the beginning of a weekend of rest. Monday through Thursday, alcoholic beverages are not permitted for safety reasons.

Please note that this ship is not a non-smoking facility, except in the sleeping areas. Smoking is permitted in the dining room and on deck. And, it is likely that several member of the crew on any given voyage will be smokers.