Kelly S latest scalloper to join Starvish fleet

NEW BEDFORD, MA – Launched last year, the Kelly S is life-long fisherman Ray Starvish’s sixth new boat and likely the last he will personally commission for his fleet.

The 95-footer is identical to Starvish’s Defiant, which was launched in 2002. Why the new-build now? Starvish explained that there were three reasons: He knew his friends at Main Iron Works in Houma, LA needed work; 2013 was the last year vessel owners could use Tier 2 engines; and Starvish had one more permit in hand.

Named after his daughter, the November 2012 launching of Kelly S was set up as a surprise, with a tarp covering the bow until the last possible second when the boat was going down the ways. Only then was it removed and the name revealed.

Kelly now has the memory of a lifetime.

Kelly-S-Starvish

It took workers an additional year to complete the vessel, which is now fishing out of New Bedford. Built by the Molaisons, who own Main Iron Works, Kelly S measures 94’11″x28’4″x14’5″ and 150 gross tons.

Main power comes from her Milton CAT-supplied engine/gear package that includes a Caterpillar 3508 electronic engine, delivering 1,000 hp through a Karl Senner LLC-supplied Reintjes WAF 665 reduction gear to a 7″ stainless steel shaft, which spins an 80″x78″x5-blade prop in a Kort nozzle. Milton CAT also supplied the C18 winch engine, which Starvish described as “environmentally friendly.”

R.A. Mitchell Co. of New Bedford supplied the twin John Deere 65-kw generators. Hydraulics were set up by Dave Chambers of Marine Hydraulics of New Bedford and include Pullmaster HP12 cargo winches and PL5 outrigger winches installed by the shipyard.

T&K Marine Electronics of Fairhaven supplied and installed the electronics system, which includes twin radar, computers, autopilot, and more.

There are redundant systems for everything in the wheelhouse. The boat is fully navigable from three stations, with the captain’s shucking house including a computer screen, throttle control, and jog lever.