Delousing company casts its net wider 

Extra lice treatment capacity will be available for hire by salmon farmers in all northern European salmon farming countries from this autumn following the introduction of a new treatment vessel by lice treatment specialist Fish Care Solutions (FCS).

The vessel is a 44-metre long, 12-metre-wide mini platform supply vessel (PSV) with a 3.5m draft and hybrid propulsion. The boat, now called the FCS Vega, is being converted for delousing.

Although based in Nordland, Norway, the range of the vessel means that FCS will offer its services to fish farmers in Iceland, Scotland, Ireland and the Faroes, as well as its home market. The company has previously worked in Scotland and Iceland in addition to Norway.

Optimal size

"We have evaluated the size as optimal for the treatments FCS Vega will perform," said FCS partner Ole Christoffer Olsen.

He added that the vessel has a large crew consisting of specialists from Fish Care Solutions’ many previous assignments.

"The purpose is for it to be efficient, also in the execution of operations; it's not enough for the treatment system alone to have high capacity," said Olsen. "We are focused on capacity because we know that when the season comes, we all, us and our clients, are under great work pressure. Therefore, we want to help ensure that the season isn't more demanding than it has to be. And what we do, treating salmon for lice, is a very demanding exercise, and it requires a lot of focus to achieve a successful operation, for us, for the fish farmer, and for the fish."

Currently, the vessel is docked at Fish Care Solutions’ land base in Berg, Sømna, where the main part of the treatment system installation will take place.

"FCS Vega has conditions that give us a lot of freedom during the installation of the treatment system. And with our own specialists and a competent supplier environment in the area, we plan to complete the outfitting by the end of August," Olsen explained.

"With our background, we have previously assisted clients with the rebuilding and optimisation of treatment systems and vessels. However, this has always been under the existing conditions of the vessels. Therefore, we are greatly looking forward to doing this on our own keel now with FCS Vega. And, we get to set it up from scratch. That, combined with a large open deck space, gives us the opportunity to set up the treatment facility based on what is best for the fish, instead of adapting it to what fits on the vessel."

Straight to work

Once conversion work on FCS Vega is complete, it will go straight into peak lice season, and FCS’ plan is to be able to contribute from day one.

"We are fortunate to have a very competent crew who have worked here with exactly these operations and this system solution for many years. We’ll also train on parts of the operations during the outfitting so that we get a quick transition to operations. The plan is for the vessel to operate in the 'spot market' along the coast of Norway and abroad, but we also have some agreements with good clients to assist with treatment when needed," said Olsen.