Following tentative enquiries and concept sketches during 2005, the decision to develop and build a fast heavy weather work boat was made in December 2005. The new boat would have to have what it takes to impress the local potting and angling professionals, who are fishing increasingly further afield in order to keep their businesses profitable. To meet this brief required the capability to operate in wild weather with speed and efficiency, and the robustness and versatility to give many years’ service in a demanding role.

The Bluefinn 40 is the result of listening to those who work in the environment day to day and then applying the design experience and analytical capabilities of Marine Design International (MDI) in Glasgow. The MDI philosophy that good looks and performance are not conflicting requirements, but two sides of the same coin, is perfectly demonstrated in the Bluefinn 40. The styling of the vessel is bold and sleek, setting a standard previously unknown in aluminium vessels of this size whilst achieving an optimal combination of speed, endurance and cargo capacity.

The first Bluefinn 40 has been built on spec with a structured development process that has allowed extra care to be taken in all aspects of the design, resulting in a unique vessel with a wide range of capabilities. The vessel was built using a production process typical of MDI vessels, with the full build sequence pre-planned and the production parts delivered to Mooney Boats pre-cut. Although sceptical at first, builder Lee Mooney eventually said, ‘This system has allowed our skilled workforce to increase efficiency, greatly reducing the laborious and repetitive tasks’. To the eventual owner, this method of construction has all the advantages of a series produced vessel, the assurance of quality materials, accuracy of build, and integrity of design.

The parts were delivered to Mooney Boats at the end of February and the vessel was on show at Killybegs at the end of June. The structure is designed to the Lloyds Special Service Craft Rules with significant reinforcement in areas important to the commercial operator, such as an 8mm deck to withstand the wear of shooting pots, and sturdy bottom structure for high speed operation in tough conditions. The vessel’s construction has been overseen by the Irish Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (DCMNR).

McCormick MacNaughton supplied the Caterpillar fully electronic C9 engine rated at 575hp driving a single four bladed propeller through a Twin Disc V-drive gearbox. The aft engine room provides room to work all round the engine and space for further machinery such as generators (this demonstration model fitted with a 2,500W pure sine-wave inverter) and hydraulic drives.

The Bluefinn’s accommodation combines functionality and comfort, being fully insulated and lined with oak veneer and solid oak trim. Following a philosophy that even a short stay onboard a working vessel should be comfortable, a galley area with gas burner, sink and microwave is arranged aft of two bunks with a WC compartment opposite. The wheelhouse is fitted out in similar style with a full electronics package incorporating Furuno M1623 radar, FVC600 echo sounder, Icom M1 hand held and M421 DSC VHF’s, GP7000 GPS C-map plotter and Simrad AP35 autopilot.

The hold/store is a vast 10.8m3 with a solid floor and is accessed from a flush hatch on the deck. The deck itself is a spacious, uninterrupted 20m2. These two areas offer a carrying capacity of 5 tons in the hold and 3 tons on the deck - at the same time. This combination of space and load carrying capability opens up a multitude of possible uses. For the workboat and survey market, stability has been checked to allow a 1 t/m crane such as a HIAB 008T-2 to be fitted on deck, increasing flexibility still further.

After the inclining confirmed stability predictions, sea trials were carried out in what would generally be considered perfect conditions. On the mirror calm water with full tanks the vessel broke 22 knots in a comfortable and controlled manner, remaining firm and predictable through the tight turns while the power assisted steering optimised handling and control. On returning to dock the builders and designer were happy but felt that no real test had been done, as the vessel was built for more challenging conditions.

The following day a force 5 was blowing in from the Atlantic. There was some steep swell to give a more realistic test of Bluefinn 40’s abilities. In these conditions the vessel again reached 22 knots and the deep-V hull cut through the water, remaining composed and comfortable, giving all on board the confidence to push as hard as possible. In this more satisfying test, the design development and sturdy construction were appreciated, though the crew remain eager for something even more challenging.

Designer Simon Cormack summed up the view of those on board, ‘There is no way to describe the ease with which this vessel handles a sea and the feeling of security she gives the crew’.

MJ Information No: 22421