Damen and Zeabuz unveil 'parking assist' for fish farm workboats
A “parking assist” system for aquaculture workboats has been developed following a request from a boatbuilder to a maritime technology company in Norway.
The Zeawatch Docking Assist system is designed to help aquaculture operators avoid collisions with objects in the water, thereby reducing downtime and repair costs. It combines a range of technologies to provide the crew with a comprehensive overview of infrastructure, both above and below the waterline.
Development of the system began in May this year when Stig Rune Nørbech, chief commercial officer for Flatanger boat builder Damen Folla (previously Folla Maritime) contacted Zeabuz chief executive and chief technology officer Øyvind Smogeli. He wanted to explore whether it would be possible to create a system similar to a parking assist system used in the automotive sector for aquaculture workboats.
“Every year, there are many incidents at fish farms with vessels colliding with infrastructure. This often results in significant downtime, with vessels having to go ashore for costly repairs – not to mention the damage caused to the infrastructure,” said Nørbech in a press release.
His call came at an opportune moment, as Trondheim-based Zeabuz – which develops maritime autonomy solutions for civilian and defence applications - was putting the finishing touches to such a system for an electric sightseeing vessel.
“The technologies behind the solution are well proven,” said Nørbech. “What is unique here is its application. In the automotive industry, and in previous maritime cases, the objective has been to detect objects above or on the waterline. In the aquaculture industry, however, much of the infrastructure lies below the waterline and is, therefore, not visible to vessel operators.”
Dynamic map
To address this challenge, Zeabuz has developed a solution that combines cameras and 4D radar technology with sonar and GNSS (global navigation satellite system). The system builds a dynamic map of the vessel’s surroundings both above and below the waterline, and presents this information in a birds-eye map view with distance measurements and a “traffic light” warning system. This allows operators to detect objects and monitor their proximity to the vessel as it approaches.
The new system will be on officially unveiled at the Nor-Fishing event in Trondheim, Norway, on August 18.
Automated boat
The ZeaFalcon – a 7-metre HDPE (high-density polyethylene) Damen vessel integrated with a Zeabuz autonomy system – will also be on show. ZeaFalcon’s autonomy system comprises multiple capabilities, including autonomous navigation, collision avoidance, remote command and control, and autodocking. The vessel will be demonstrating its capabilities in the harbour during the event. Operations will also be livestreamed to a screen in the exhibition hall.
“Automation is only going to grow in importance for the aquaculture industry,” said Zeabuz’s Smogeli. “Already we are witnessing the effects of crewing challenges. As operations move farther from shore and into more exposed locations, we expect to see increasing use of larger and more complex vessels.
“Our approach to autonomous technology and navigation support is not aimed at displacing the crew. What we are seeking to do is rather to develop solutions that support the operators, making their work safer, more efficient and more productive.”
