There have been some big changes in the wheelhouse of Samherji’s pelagic trawler Margrét EA-710, as the opportunity of a few weeks between trips was taken to strip out the electronics and replace them with a video wall.
Margrét is a fifteen-year-old vessel – previously Christina S from Fraserburgh – and according to skipper Hjörtur Valsson, it was time to replace some of the existing systems that had done well over the years.
‘At the beginning of December it looked like we’d be tied up for a few weeks, so the decision was made to make a start. The wall was in place after just three weeks, which is amazing. It’s a complex job to set up a system like this and it’s vital to have a co-ordinated team who know what they’re doing,’ he said, commenting that Margrét’s video wall is similar to the one on board Vilhelm Thorsteinsson.
The big difference is that the screenwall allows the skipper to co-ordinate feeds from all of the electronics systems on board into a single cohesive display and to customise these as required.
‘With this system it’s possible to pull onto the screen all the systems being used at a particular time, whether we’re fishing or steaming. With the old system we had ten computer mice, but now everything is controlled using one mouse – which is a real difference. As well as that, the displays are much clearer than the old ones, which were showing their age. All commands in this new system are simpler and it’s a big difference being able to set up different scenarios. It makes is a better and safer workplace,’ Hjörtur Valsson said.
‘We’ve done two trips now since this new system was installed and we can say it worked 100% right away, and there was hardly anything that needed to be adjusted.’
Kristinn Daníelsson oversaw the installation, which brought in local contractors ELAK, M-tech, N.Hansen, Pólýhúðun and Trésmiðjan Ýmir.
