FISH FARMING TECHNOLOGY
THEAutonomous BOSS
Trimara Services UK is looking forward to introducing the AutoBoss net cleaner to customers in Scotland this month. Commissioning and training have taken place for the machine, recently arrived in the Highlands.
net-cleaning by Kerry Hawthorn, Trimara Services UK Ltd
T
he AutoBoss is a New Zealand-manufactured robotic net washer that delivers reliable, automated, low-cost net washing options for fish farmers around the world. After more than four years of research and field development, AutoBoss units are active in New Zealand and across North America. “Following very successful inroads into the Canadian and US markets we are now excited to be launching in Europe”, says Stewart Hawthorn, Director, Trimara Services. The ‘Boss’ concept stands apart from current net washing approaches by its focus on efficiency and automation. Completely self-contained and weighing just 990kg, everything needed for optimum cleaning power is enclosed within the pontoon. Hydraulically-driven thrusters hold the unit onto the nets, so the only job of the high-pressure water pump is to deliver the cleaning power of a much larger machine. The small diesel engine uses just 12 litres of fuel per hour – a huge saving for farmers. Unlike ROV technologies the AutoBoss does not require an operator to guide the net washing activity. The Boss takes care of that activity herself, leaving the operator free to focus on net set-up, machine care and performance monitoring. This approach reduces labour and ensures a consistent result every time. Trimara Services opened its Canadian operations in 2016 to support its North American customers and then opened in Scotland a year later, building on the success in British Columbia, Washington, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and Maine. With companies moving away from coating and off-site washing, and with an increased understanding of the effects of net biofouling, a cost-effective, consistent net washer is a must for aquaculture companies. “Net washing can be a boring business, and very challenging. High-pressure water systems and the marine environment itself can complicate an essential farm job,” Stewart explains. “The AutoBoss has been designed to address these issues. She is a simple-to-operate, reliable machine that gets this crucial job done.”
Wholly independent
The Boss is not an ROV and virtually anyone can operate her after some basic training. After all, the farmer’s job is not to run the machine, the Boss runs herself. The whole unit travels to the pen. No dedicated vessel is needed as the Boss is a compact, fully self-contained robot. Once dropped in the pen, she walks herself along the net surface with specially designed fingers as her washing head moves up and down the net below. An on-board programmable PLC offers different washing modes chosen by the farmer to ensure that cleaning power is focused where it is most needed. “Trimara calls this ‘right-
sized cleaning,’” says Stewart. The objective of Trimara Services is to ensure that there is tremendous pre- and post-sale support. “We offer a comprehensive commissioning and training process for operators and local mechanics and this approach has been a proven success. All our companies are repeat customers”, says Stewart. “We find when a company buys one unit, they end up buying more, and they find operating a tandem Boss solution engenders further cost savings.”
Ensuring customer satisfaction
Trimara has recently hired Jamie Clark, a Scottish-based Product Support Engineer, for its European operations. He joins Trimara’s existing product support rep for North America. “Our goal is to bring any new operator or mechanic from novice to expert. We travel to the customer whenever needed and are on call 24/7 to answer any questions operators or local mechanics might have,” says Jamie. Training on the machine takes place in the workshop, in the classroom, and on the water. Once farming staff have completed their initial training week, Trimara will certify them as competent AutoBoss operators and mechanics. Trimara also offers a dedicated service package and holds a substantial local inventory of spare parts ensuring that the Boss is always ready to work. The Trimara backing does not end there. Also included in the post-sales support package are follow-up site visits, a performance-monitoring programme and the 24/7 advice service. “After 30 years in the aquaculture industry my personal goal is to deliver a machine that never ends up in the mechanical graveyard at the back of the workshop,” says Stewart. “I want to offer a support package that surprises the customer, anticipates their needs and exceeds their expectations. Reliable, automated low-cost solutions – every time.
46 | September 2018 - International Aquafeed