Optimizing Environmental Safety on Fish Farms with ROVs

Rachel Doornekamp | May 19th, 2020

Decontamination
Environmental Monitoring
Batteries
Employee Safety
Net Security
Contact Industry Specialist

Deep Trekker’s Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) allow users to take control of their underwater assets. Highly maneuverable and durable, Deep Trekker’s submersible vehicles are equipped with a camera to provide operators with a live view of underwater environments. Intelligent and easy to use, ROVs are a convenient and portable solution for a variety of tasks around a fish farm.

With an ROV, operators can get eyes underwater quickly and easily to inspect their farm. Offering a safe, convenient and economical alternative to divers, ROVs are changing how fisheries are maintaining their pens and stock.

Deep Trekker provides two innovative ROVs for aquaculture, the DTG3 and the REVOLUTION. The DTG3 is an intelligent and advanced vehicle built to provide operators with the ability to quickly deploy and visually inspect within underwater environments. The REVOLUTION is a mission-ready ROV with greater payload capabilities, deeper depths and advanced stabilization.

In addition to submersible ROVs, Deep Trekker also provides industry specific add-ons to enhance your capabilities. From Net Patching Tools to Mort Pusher Systems to Cutter Attachments and Water Samplers, Deep Trekker ROVs are equipped to perform on fish farms.

Decontamination

In this age of increased microbial risk, it’s imperative that tools enter the water clean and sanitized to prevent any contamination. Utilizing an ROV that can be sanitized prevents the introduction of contaminants into the water. Similar to boot dips and other cleaning practices, submersible ROVs should be cleaned as well. Deep Trekker vehicles can be fully sanitized with a variety of solutions, including chlorine solutions, with no negative effects on the ROV.

By using an ROV that can be safely and completely sanitized, users can move from farm to farm without bringing harmful microbes with them. This is especially pertinent when sharing an ROV between sea sites and land-based facilities. Keep water clean and free of contaminants with a Deep Trekker ROV.

Environmental Monitoring

A Deep Trekker ROV can also be used to monitor environmental conditions, which have an immediate effect on overall environmental health. Regular monitoring and sampling is important to establish baselines and recognize changes quickly. However, sampling is not only time consuming but it can also raise cortisol levels in fish.

Using a Deep Trekker ROV provides a safe and efficient alternative for sampling, with built in temperature, depth and oxygen sensors available. Our Aquatroll sonde add-on can simultaneously carry up to four environmental sensors, like chlorophyll or phosphorus for additional monitoring.

Batteries

Deep Trekker vehicles are powered by long-lasting on-board lithium-ion batteries. The lack of topside power not only makes the ROVs easily portable, it reduces your risk of contaminating pens or starting fires with fuel spills.

By putting the batteries inside the ROV and controller, there is no power going down the tether. This allows us to reduce the diameter of the tether, avoiding potential dragging. Furthermore, with the lithium ion batteries, there is no harm in giving your ROV a quick charge before your dive as you do not need to drain the batteries fully before recharging completely.

Our DTG3 models work up to 8 hours on a 1.5 hour battery charge. For a typical inspection, you will likely get a full day’s work from one battery charge. The REVOLUTION also operates up to 8 hours on a 1.5 hour charge.

Because you don’t need generators or other external power sources, Deep Trekker’s ROVs are not only convenient, they reduce the risk of spilling fuel around the farm and thereby contaminating pens or raising the risk of fires.

Ask us about ROVs and get your fish farm a convenient inspection option on hand

Employee Safety

Deep Trekker ROVs are light and highly portable, making them safe for staff to transport and handle. Both the DTG3 and the REVOLUTION can be easily handled on their own without significant risk of musculoskeletal injury. This is very important because a healthy, happy farm team means husbandry doesn’t suffer.

In addition to working as checked luggage for transporting the ROV via plane, the wheeled Pelican case is perfect for easy transport both around the farm and between farms. Easily transportable while being lightweight and durable, ROVs can be safely and securely moved from location to location. This convenient and safe transport keeps employees safe and at ease.

Net Security

With an ROV, operators can easily make net inspections a part of their daily routine. Consistent net inspections allow pilots to monitor the regular wear and tear on lines, nets and mooring, as well as holes from potential pest incursions. By conducting regular inspections, fish farmers can reduce the risk of escapes.

If ROV pilots do find a net tear, Deep Trekker’s Net Patch tool allows users to cover or pull holes shut until a complete repair can be conducted to ensure safety for the surrounding area.

We spoke to Sverre Føyen, Site Manager of Erko Seafood’s Hardanger locations, to see how he and his team use their Deep Trekker ROV. For more information about the use of ROVs on fish farms, check out 5 Ways ROVs Can Help Mitigate Risks Concerning Fish Health and Recommended Aquaculture Package.

As always our team of experts is here to answer any questions you may have - reach out today! Ready to take the plunge? Get your customized quote!