Hatta III - From table seiner to tuna and salmon troller

The Hatta III (ON# 158922) was built in 1936 by Jinichi Asahina at Seymour Creek BC (near where the Semour Creek golf course is now) as a wooden–hulled table seiner. She was converted to a troller in the 1970s, and subsequently received a new cabin for comfort. She is 13.41m x 4.08m x 1.92m (44' x 13.4' x 6.3') 17.64gt and 25.94rt. She is powered by a 170bhp diesel engine which replaced her original 60hp engine.

In 1949-1967 she was owned by J.H. Todd & Sons Ltd., Victoria BC. In 1970-1971 she was owned by British Columbia Packers Ltd., Richmond BC. In 1972 she was owned by Mercury Charters Ltd., Coquitlam BC. In 1973-1980 she was owned by Bruce A. Wight, Sidney BC. In 1982-2012 she was owned by Hatta Enterprises Ltd., Victoria BC.

Over the years she has evolved from a table seiner to a tuna and salmon troller. The Hatta III was on the ways at McLean’s Shipyard in Prince Rupert in July 2012 to repair a small leak coming from the stern. She was up for 24 hours, and a good check of the caulking was done in the stern post, horn timber area. The reason I took the photo is because most of these older seine boats have been scrapped, and are getting to be few in numbers. I enjoy sharing this nautical heritage with others.