Soaring oil prices have struck the Scottish Fishing Fleet with a powerful impact. More than 1500 prawn boats struggle to make ends meet where they not only face falling prices for their catch but are also paying millions of pounds extra in fuel costs. This is a fuel dependant sector where the vessels simply cannot set sail and work without using significantly large amounts of fuel. It is a ruthless time where fishermen are squeezed from both sides of the business: high fuel cost and low market price.
In response to this crisis, on Belzona Polymerics Ltd, a major supplier to the fishing industry has donated £25,000 of its revolutionary fuel efficiency improvement product, Belesta LC2 to support the Scottish Fishing Fleet.
Belzona Polymerics Ltd is offering to supply enough free of charge Belesta LC2 to treat the lubrication system of 100 prawn boats in the Scottish fleet to enable them to reduce fuel cost. The Belesta product will be distributed through Belzona’s Fishing Stockist, Malahide Filter Services at Fraserburgh and Peterhead, and through The Fishing Mutual Association at Pittenweem.
Since the introduction of the Belesta product range in 2002, it has been exceptionally well received within the Scottish Fishing Industry. Belesta LC2, is a friction reducing supplement which is added to engine lubricants to reduce fuel consumption, wear, noise and vibration.
A large number of fishing boat owners have been using Belesta LC2 (at 5% treatment) in their engine lubricant system and have seen fuel savings of up to 9%. With the ever increasing cost of marine diesel, any reduction in fuel usage is a clear benefit, and added to this, the time and money that can be saved by extending the drain interval of the oil is a further factor in opting to use Belesta.
John Smith, skipper of the 18.6m twin rigged trawler, BCK 181 Heather Sprig, used the Belesta LC2 material to treat the normal lubricant in the Heather Sprig’s Mitsubishi S6R2 engine with remarkable results.
According to John it was a simple process, ‘At the last oil change we simply replaced 6.2 litres of the standard 123 litre oil fill with the Belesta material and very quickly saw a reduction in fuel usage from 50-60 litres per hour to 45-55 litres per hour. Based on current fuel costs of around 50p per litre, this has been saving me around £1400.00 per trip. As an added benefit I have been able to extend the interval between oil changes which is saving me even more money’.
Prawn Boat operators interested in taking up this offer and being in the 100 should subscribe by contacting Belzona Polymerics, Customer Services Department on 01423 567641 or by emailing helpfishing@belesta.co.uk . This campaign went live on Thursday 11th September 2008.