West coast creel fisherman Hans Unkles will share the remarkable story of designing, building and launching the first all-electric fishing vessel in the UK’s fishing fleet at a free special evening talk and screening at the Scottish Maritime Museum on Saturday 28 February.
During the free event, which starts at 7.30pm, Hans will present his documentary ’It’ll Never Work’ and reveal the challenges, setbacks and eventual success in creating his commercially workable low-impact fishing boat, Lorna Jane.
A professional boatbuilder and fisherman for 40 years, Hans was first inspired to reduce his impact over two decades ago after installing a wind turbine on his house. Determined to find a more sustainable way to fish in 2022 he took apart his beloved 21-foot 1971 Cygnus GM21 boat with the encouragement and help of fellow like-minded fishermen.
The ambitious £130,000 project saw the vessel stripped back and rebuilt using readily available technology. Designed and constructed in his garden workshop, the boat features solar panels mounted above deck, battery banks below and an electric motor with steering propeller.
The UK-registered Lorna Jane was launched in June 2023 from Hans’ home village of Tayvallich in Scotland. Since then, he has sailed Lorna Jane, which is powered largely by solar energy in the summer months, hauling lobsters and travelling up to 60 miles at around five knots to lift and reset his creels.
Eva Bukowska, Exhibitions and Events Officer at the Scottish Maritime Museum, says: “We’re delighted to host Hans and present his screening of ’It’ll Never Work’. It’s a fascinating documentary following Hans as he gathers stories, opinions and support from old and young generations of fishermen and welds a path to a more responsible way of fishing. His grit and determination to create a fishing vessel that reduces diesel costs, lowers maintenance expenses and minimises environmental impact will be of interest to all ages.”
Hans, who also powers his home with solar panels and drives an electric car, explains his motivation: “I have always believed that, and this especially applies to fishing, if you are not evolving your methods and practices, you are only hanging on before you go backwards. Regardless of your method of fishing, no matter how you look at the near future, big changes we don’t have control or a say over are coming. With this boat, I am facing some of those changes on my own terms. I am trying to do the right thing for me and the future of my trade.”
When not fishing for scallops, lobster, crab and prawn, Hans runs Sandisland Workshop specialising in boat refits and repairs.
THE ELECTRIC LOBSTER FISHERMAN PRESENTS ‘IT’LL NEVER WORK’
Doors open at 6.30pm and the event, which will include an audience Q&A, will conclude at 9.30pm.
The free tickets for the Electric Lobster Fisherman: ‘It’ll Never Work’ are available on Eventbrite
A TALK & SCREENING WITH HANS UNKLES
SCOTTISH MARITIME MUSEUM, IRVINE HARBOURSIDE
7.30PM 28 FEBRUARY | FREE
The event has been made possible by the support of The Fishmongers’ Company.
