Atlantic City is one of New Jersey’s six major commercial fishing ports, and plays a key role in the state’s $1 billion seafood economy. The port’s main claim to fame is its surf clam and ocean quahog harvests, which are subsequently turned into clam strips or minced clams that people love around the world. The vessels that do this work are sizeable (typically between 70-150 feet long), and rigged with hydraulic dredges that make the harvesting process possible. But, the work doesn’t stop once the catch is hauled in. Keeping these vessels seaworthy is a year-round task that involves constant upkeep. To help them run efficiently, marine growth is routinely removed from the vessel hulls, while the engines get cleaned regularly, too. Safety checks are also a must, as they protect the crew and make certain that all equipment works reliably, especially when the vessels are out on offshore trips.
Vessel hulls are cleaned every few months or so to remove marine growth, including barnacles, algae, and mussels (what’s known as biofouling). This reduces hydrodynamic drag and helps the boat glide more effortlessly through the water with less resistance. Heavy biofouling can actually make engines work over 85% harder, so regular cleaning helps reduce fuel use and cut emissions. In warmer months, the hull may need to be cleaned as often as once a month as marine growth accumulates faster in Atlantic County waters, which can reach highs of 75°F. When it's time for a clean, a team of divers typically check and wash the hull, including the keel and rudder. They also inspect the anodes, propellers, and water inlets and outlets. Particular attention is paid to the waterline as this is where buildup is most visible. A pressure washer may be used to remove any stubborn growth, along with some good old-fashioned scraping and brushing.
To keep vessel engines running smoothly, regular maintenance is also required around every 50-100 hours of operation, or at least once a month. The high saline levels in coastal Atlantic waters, typically around 32 parts per thousand, may be great for marine life, but they make corrosion a real concern. If salt is allowed to build up in the engine’s cooling system, it can cause all kinds of troubles from clogs to overheating. To prevent this, the system is periodically flushed out with fresh water to get rid of any stubborn salt or mineral deposits before it’s refilled with coolant.
The engine’s fittings, including bolts and fasteners, also need regular checks as they can seize up or corrode due to constant exposure to saltwater. However, many of these parts are now made from titanium, which resists corrosion much better than steel. The moment titanium’s exposed to air or saltwater, it forms a protective layer a few nanometers thick, which then quickly grows to about 100 nanometers. This natural ability to resist corrosion is why many vessel owners now buy titanium metal specifically designed for marine use: it makes engine components last longer and need less upkeep.
Because the fleet often needs to haul heavy clams from far offshore, crews regularly check their equipment is up to task. As part of this, they inspect and grease their hydraulic dredges and winches to prevent costly and potentially dangerous breakdowns at sea. Before they head out, crews also test their winch brakes and hydraulic lines. One faulty brake or line could lead to an accident, so no chances are taken when it comes to safety. Unsurprisingly, Atlantic County commercial fishing vessels have a great track record of following safety rules, which keeps crews safe and makes fishing trips more productive. The Coast Guard’s Fifth District, which covers Atlantic County, inspected 59 commercial fishing vessels last year, and gave safety decals to 41 of them, which means they met safety standards.
Atlantic County’s commercial fishing fleet is still vital to New Jersey’s billion-dollar seafood economy. But, beyond just hauling in the catch, year-round maintenance is vital to keep vessels and crews safe and productive out at sea.
