A new smart docking system designed to for the aquaculture sector is to be shown for the first time at Nor-Fishing in Trondheim. This has been developed by Damen Folla and Zeabuz to address problems of workboats frequently operating in close proximity to sub-surface infrastructure.
The ZeaWatch Docking Assist system combines a range of technologies to provide the crew with a comprehensive overview of infrastructure, both above and below the waterline. Avoiding collisions with anything in the water serves to reduce downtime and repair costs.
Development began in May this year when Damen Folla CCO Stig Rune Nørbech contacted Zeabuz CEO and CTO 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,’ Stig Rune Nørbech said.
His call came at the right moment, just as Zeabuz was finishing such a system for an electric sightseeing vessel.
‘The technologies behind the solution are well proven. What is unique here is its application,’ he explained.
‘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.’
Zeabuz developed a tech array that combines cameras and 4D radar technology with sonar and GNSS. This builds a dynamic map of the vessel 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 smart docking system is the latest result of the cooperation between Damen Folla and Zeabuz. Also on display in Trondheim will be the ZeaFalcon – a 7-metre HDPE Damen vessel integrated with a Zeabuz autonomy system.
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,’ Øyvind Smogeli said.
‘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.’
