June 4, 2025 — Fuel costs eat into narrow margins, and emissions regulations continue to tighten in the commercial fishing world. The idea of electrifying commercial fishing vessels is beginning to float.
But for Paul Nosworthy, owner of New England Marine Engineering and Supply Inc. in New Bedford, Massachusetts, the conversation isn’t just about swapping diesel for batteries; it’s about practicality, power, and the people doing the work.
“It takes a certain amount of power to operate a vessel- between propulsion and auxiliary generator plants,” Nosworthy said. “We attempt to size the generator plant as close to the practical load requirement as possible.”
While full electric propulsion remains hypothetical in New England’s commercial fleet, Nosworthy’s shop is already bridging the gap in quieter ways. “We now install soft start rectifiers on larger motors,” he explained. “It takes three times the running amps to start an electric motor. If a motor draws 30 amps running, it takes 90 amps to start. Using a rectifier, you can maintain the run amp load at startup. We maintain an inventory of these soft starters.”
That kind of upgrade may seem small, but it signals a larger trend- more boats exploring electric auxiliary systems, especially refrigeration, gensets, and potentially winches, before ever considering propulsion.
“Many boats are finding the need to install refrigeration to prevent the loss of their catch,” said Nosworthy. “A lot of smaller vessels have had to upgrade their generator plants. That’s costly. The smoke stack has to be enlarged, and so does the keel cooler.”
These changes trigger a cascade of other requirements: more ventilation, more airflow, and more space. “Engine room ventilation needs to be increased,” he added. “You need 3.5 CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute) for each horsepower of the engine, which allows proper air and fuel mix to get to the cylinders, prolonging engine life and reducing fuel use.