Fleet
The F/V Frontier Explorer, along with sister-ships Frontier Mariner and Frontier Spirit, is a purpose-built longliner constructed 1989 in Seattle, WA by Marco Seattle and commissioned by BWS legacy company Alaska Frontier Co. (AFCO).
The Frontier Explorer, like all the Frontier vessels, is a highly fuel-efficient vessel with a high daily production capacity. The Explorer operates with a crew of 22, and a freezer hold capacity of over 15,000 cases, equivalent to over 300 metric tons of finished product per trip. Average trip duration ranges from 20-30 days depending on season and catch rates.
For 28 years, from 1994 through 2022, Bristol Wave Vice President of Operations Scott Penny served as captain of the Explorer. Many of the practices still in use on all Bristol Wave vessels today were pioneered by Scott over the course of his career.
In 2022 Scott moved from the Bering Sea into our corporate HQ, where his extensive knowledge of longline fishing drives the BWS fishing plan and every aspect of our operations.
Captain Justin Johnson took over the Frontier Explorer in 2022. Justin’s history with Bristol Wave extends back to 2002 when he worked as deckhand for legacy company Clipper Seafoods, Ltd. Justin worked his way up the ranks fishing on multiple vessels, ultimately gaining his USCG captain’s license in 2014. When Scott Penny moved into an executive role, Justin took over as lead captain on the Frontier Explorer, where he continues to be one of the highest performing officers in the BWS fleet.
Hard Work. Good Pay. Adventure at sea.
