“It works optimally”—Kings Bay opts for Twister trawl doors

For Bjørn Sævik, skipper of the Norwegian pelagic trawler Kings Bay, experience runs deep. With 35 years on the bridge, he’s seen the evolution of gear and technology in the industry firsthand. Based out of Ålesund, Kings Bay has long been active in fisheries for herring, mackerel, and blue whiting. This spring, the vessel took a step forward by installing Vónin’s Twister trawl doors—marking a shift toward active-control technology.

The decision to upgrade wasn’t made lightly. Sævik and his crew weighed several factors, including price, build quality, and feedback from other vessels operating in similar conditions. Twister stood out as a strong candidate, offering both innovation and reliability.

“We were probably among the last to go for active-control doors—at least in our area,” says Sævik. “We looked at price, strength, and references from other vessels. In the end, Twister was the right choice.”

The Twister doors were installed in early May, and although the crew has only had limited time to test them—primarily during mackerel fishing—the initial impressions have been overwhelmingly positive. The doors have already demonstrated their value in maintaining consistent performance during maneuvers, which is a critical factor in pelagic trawling.

Pelagic fishing often requires frequent course adjustments while towing, and conventional doors can struggle to maintain stability during these turns. Twister, however, has proven to be a game-changer.

“When you can control the doors, it’s a giant leap compared to what we’ve been used to,” Sævik explains. “It works optimally.”

The ability to maintain door depth and spread—even during sharp turns—has made operations smoother and more predictable. This not only improves catch efficiency but also reduces stress on the gear and crew.

Beyond performance, ease of use has also impressed the Kings Bay team. The doors are intuitive to operate, and while there’s still a learning curve, the crew is quickly adapting to the new system. Sævik emphasizes that long-term durability will be the true test, but so far, the signs are promising.

“It’s as important that it works every time you trawl as it is that it works optimally when it works.”

The skipper is confident that Twister will continue to deliver.

The combination of control, simplicity, and robust design has already made a strong impression. And with more fishing ahead, Kings Bay is well-positioned to take full advantage of the technology.

“Absolutely. No doubt about it,” says Sævik. “There’s no comparison between Twister and conventional doors.”

For Kings Bay, the move to Twister marks a clear step forward—one that’s already paying off in performance and peace of mind.

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