Livewell apparatus for a marine vessel

摘要

The present invention provides a livewell for a marine vessel for holding captive gamefish wherein the water temperature maintained in the livewell is maintained at a reduced temperature. The reduced water temperatures induces a state of reduced metabolism in the captive gamefish which prolongs the life of the gamefish in captivity. The water in the livewell is cooled by circulating water through a thermodynamic heat exchanger that transfers the heat to a refrigerant that is circulated through a conventional refrigeration cycle commonly found in air conditioning systems, freezers, and refrigerators. The refrigerant is compressed and circulated by a compressor powered by electricity from the marine vessel's batteries or electrical power system. A pair of pumps enable the water in the livewell to be circulated through the chiller assembly and to fill or empty the livewell as required.