We are always interested in local work boats, especially if there are no arbitrary rules governing their design. In this part of the world it is Mother Nature who dictates what designs to use. This includes steep seas, working in ice, and cold weather – a potentially lethal combination if not addressed correctly. These trawlers were rafted at the harbor entrance as we rounded the corner into Nuuk. They are handsome to our eye, with the house set well aft where it will give the crew maximum comfort. The easy lines fore and aft will allow the bow to ride up and over swells, so an exaggerated height and flare are not required.

As we saw in Canada, many of the boats have softened hull to deck intersections forward to shed water efficiently and a wave breakwater as well.

This is the bow of a large shrimp trawler, which does most of its work in or near pack ice. Most of the paint has been worn away by the ice, but the hull is still fair, indicating she must be very heavily plated forward.

A contrast in fairness. Note the paint worn away at the cutwater, debris, and dents, all signs of ice.

This small ship came and went several times while we were in port. With those two big radars, antennae, and lookout tower we’d guess she was some form of naval fisheries patrol vessel. She has the water shedding foredeck as well.

There are many examples in port of these small timber fishers. Contrast this shape with what we saw in the salmon fishery of Alaska. The latter have a lot less freeboard indicating more moderate working environment (although using the word moderate in the context of anything to do with Alaskan fishing seems incongruous).

Another example of the small craft.

All of these boats have some form of flood light forward and often a spotlight as well.