Suzhou Cosc Marine Machinery Co., Ltd. (abbreviated as COSC) is a manufacturer specializing in side thrusters (CP and FP), rudder propellers and main‑propulsion controllable‑pitch propellers (CPP).
Pair‑trawling fishing vessels
Pair‑trawlers mainly target demersal and semi‑demersal fish stocks and operate within a water depth of 100 metres. Towing speed is approximately 3 knots. Trawling is carried out with the current in fair weather and downwind in strong winds. The distance from the towing vessels to the net tail is about 1 000 metres. Trawlers cannot stop immediately during operation. When giving way to a pair‑trawling unit, pass astern of the vessels or keep more than 0.5 nautical miles off their outer sides. When observing the two vessels shooting nets in opposite directions, pass round them from the wind‑weather side.
Single‑trawling vessels (stern trawler / beam trawler)
Stern trawling is less affected by tidal currents, with a towing speed of 4‑6 knots for operations in water depths exceeding 100 metres. When giving way to a single trawler, keep a distance of 1 nautical mile astern when passing. Erratic course‑keeping indicates that the vessel is shooting or hauling the net.
Drift‑net (gill‑net) fishing vessels
A drift‑net is a rectangular net panel held vertically in the water by floats and sinkers. It targets pelagic fish stocks. Net‑shooting and net‑hauling are mostly performed at dawn or dusk. Nets are generally shot with a favourable wind‑current direction; large‑size drift‑nets may extend over 2 nautical miles. By day, foam‑plastic or glass floats and numerous small buoys with small flags spaced at intervals are visible. At night, flashing battery‑powered lamps are fitted to poles at the net ends. After shooting, the vessel and net drift with wind and current, with the net lying forward of the vessel. When giving way, pass astern of the vessel. If net‑shooting is in progress, pass clear alongside.
Purse‑seine fishing vessels
Purse‑seining uses large long‑strip netting to catch pelagic fish stocks. Fish are usually lured by light attraction. Under good daylight conditions, net floats on the water surface can be seen. A purse‑seine is roughly 1 000 metres long, mostly deployed in fishing grounds with water depths of 60‑80 metres. During shooting and hauling, the fishing vessel stays close to the net. Single‑boat purse‑seiners usually shoot the net on the port side. After shooting, the purse‑seiner takes wind on the port side and current on the starboard side. Light attraction lasts approximately 3 hours, while net‑shooting and hauling take around 1 hour. When giving way, pass from the wind‑weather side and maintain a distance of no less than 0.5 nautical miles.
Stow‑net fishing vessels
Stow‑nets are fixed fishing gears operated in shallow, fast‑flowing inshore waters. The net frame is secured by stakes. The net opens under strong tidal currents and is hauled when currents slacken.
Long‑line fishing vessels
The main long‑line ranges generally from 100 metres to 500 metres in length. Long‑line gears are deployed by dinghies launched from the fishing vessel. Fishing tackles are paid out astern and secured by anchors or sinkers. For give‑way purposes, keep 1 nautical mile clear astern of the vessel when passing.