M.F.V. Benvolio – FD347
Fleetwood Trawler – Benvolio FD347
Official Number: 365788
Built: 1976, Tweed Shipyard, Berwick
RSS Number: A13269
Gross Tonnage: 164grt / 63nrt
Length: 86 ft
Breadth: 21′ 11” ft
Draught: 9 ft
Owner: British United Trawlers, Wyre Trawlers Ltd, managers
History
1973: Ordered from Ryton Marine Ltd, Wallsend on Tyne for Sk. Alex Strachan, Peterhead & Caley Fisheries Group, Aberdeen.
1974: Ryton Marine Ltd in liquidation.
1974: Order transferred to Intrepid Marine International Ltd, Berwick.
3.1975: Intrepid Marine International Ltd, Berwick in liquidation. Berwick Shipyard taken over by Associated Fisheries Ltd, Hull.
1975: Sk. Strachan sold interest to Caley Fisheries Group, Aberdeen.
1976: Shipyard continued building under title of Tweed Shipyard (Berwick) Ltd. Vessel transferred to Associated Fisheries Group.
1976: Launched by Tweed Shipyard (Berwick) Ltd, Berwick (Yd.No.1003) for British United Trawlers (Grimsby) Ltd, Grimsby (Associated Fisheries Group) as DEVOTION (PD147).
1976: Completed as OLIVIA.
1976: Allocated by British United Trawlers to Fleetwood (Wyre Trawlers Ltd, managers). Renamed BENVOLIO (FD347).
7th October 1976: Maiden Voyage.
1978: Sold to Sk. Peter B. Ritchie, Peterhead & Caley Fisheries (Peterhead) Ltd. Fleetwood registry closed. Registered at Peterhead (PD243).
1986: Renamed ILLUSTRIOUS (PD243).
1990(?): Sold to Andrew Ritchie, St. Fergus & Others (Peterhead Fishermen Ltd, agents).
199?: Fitted with a shelterdeck.
4 stroke 6-cyl 720bhp/537kW oil engine by Mirrlees Blackstone Ltd, Stockport.
199?: Re-engined with 740bhp/545kW oil engine by Caterpillar.
2002: Decommissioned and sold for demolition.
Images
Lauched as Devotion PD147 - Courtesy of Trevor Snowling
Benvolio FD347 - Picture courtesy of Peter Brady
I believe my brother, Stephen Lovick was the RO on the Benvolio when it was made a rule that fishing vessels had to have radio officers. (early 1970s ??) I remember there was quite a lot of resistance to this from crew as it meant another person getting a cut of the takings. Was there an incident of the Benvolia being reported ‘lost at sea’ for a short time?