Fish Pen and Cage Vulnerabilities
Damage to fish pens and cages can lead to fish escapes, resulting in both financial losses and environmental impact.
APAMA NRS
Industry Challenges
Need for Regular Inspections
Consistent inspections are vital to ensure the integrity of nets and prevent escape events, a key challenge in maintaining aquaculture operations.
Current Practices
Existing market solutions for fishnet inspection and repair often rely on expensive methods, such as net removal or diver intervention.
Meet the APAMA - ROV Net Repair System
The APAMA Net Stitcher is a cutting-edge ROV designed for underwater net repair. It features the most advanced control on the market with 6-degrees of freedom, and a hybrid power system for efficiency. The APAMA offers in situ and continuous net repair, and despite its compact size, it boasts high power and versatility for various aquaculture tasks, ensuring operational excellence underwater.
APAMA Features
Size
1000x600x505mm
Thrusters
8 vectored units. Easy to service and replace.
Camera
HD 1080p AI image processing.
Power Input
240V AC 1.2kW
Bouyancy
High-density foam
Speed
1.5 meters/second, 3 knots
Weight
40kg in air, slightly positive in water
Lighting
4 x LED lights (1500 lumens)
Environmental Sustainability
With a strong focus on preventing fish escapes, SoSub’s solution plays a crucial role in promoting sustainable aquaculture practices and ecosystem protection.
On-Demand Inspection and Repair
Ready for immediate use, the system proactively prevents net failures, ensuring continuous protection at the farming site.
Precision Underwater Stitching
The ROV’s innovative stitching tool ensures efficient and precise underwater repairs, eliminating the need for divers and net removal.
Advanced Control System
Featuring the market’s leading 6DOF control system, our ROV offers unparalleled manoeuvrability and intuitive handling for superior operational efficiency.
Adaptability to Harsh Conditions
Designed to perform in murky waters and strong currents, the APAMA ROV is reliable under challenging conditions.
Innovative Design
Modular design for easy maintenance and seamless upgrades, minimising downtime. Interchange parts effortlessly, ensuring your ROV fleet remains cutting-edge without full replacements.
Six degrees of freedom
Equipped with six degrees of freedom (6 DoF), this ROV offers unparalleled manoeuvrability, allowing it to navigate complex underwater environments with precision and ease.
Seamless In-Situ Repairs
APAMA ROV excels in performing efficient on-site repairs without requiring net removal, significantly boosting operational efficiency
Safety and Efficiency
This system effectively eliminates risks associated with diver based repairs, creating a safer working environment.
Commitment to Sustainability
As stewards of the ocean, SOSUB and the APAMA ROV uphold practices that honour and preserve the marine ecosystem.
REPAIR RATE
5 to 30 x 1 BAR
HOLES/HOUR
Net Stitcher Features
Versatile Repair Size
The Net Stitcher can repair various sizes of damage in nets, from small punctures to extensive tears, maintaining structural integrity. It allows for effective underwater repairs, reducing the need for net replacement and operational downtime.
Innovative Repair Mechanism
At the heart of the Net Stitcher’s functionality is a suite of subsea tools including a stapler, cutter, and winch. This combination allows for a robust and efficient repair process:
- Subsea Stapler and Cutter: These tools facilitate the attachment of a durable, Kevlar-reinforced polyurethane repair material to the damaged area of the net. The cutter is then used to trim the repair material precisely, ensuring a neat and secure repair.
- Winch System: The winch is employed to tension the repair material, pulling it tightly across the damaged area. This step is critical for ensuring that the repaired section is as secure and as close to its original shape as possible.
Repair Process
The repair process involves the Net Stitcher applying material in a zig-zag pattern across the damage, securing it with staples for reinforcement. Excess material is trimmed after the entire section is repaired, ensuring a neat and structurally sound outcome. Net Stitcher Features
Staple material
Stainless steel
Staple payload
100 Staples
Repair Material Payload
30m Roll
Winching Force
50kgF
Breaking strain
110kgs
Repair material
Polyurethane Coated Kevlar
Proof of Concept
SOSUB started by aiming to improve aquaculture repairs through enhancing ROV capabilities. The concept evolved into creating a custom ROV with plier like extensions for intricate net repairs.
Over years, eight APAMA prototypes were created using CNC machining and 3D printing, demonstrating innovation and sustainability without high costs.
Who we are trusted by
Your Questions Answered
Q. How long does the battery last?
A. Our ROV is a hybrid system, so we have an onboard battery that gets charged through the ROV’s tether, allowing indefinite use. The ROV can also run on battery only for up to 2 hours depending on use.
Q. How long does the repair last?
A. It’s a permanent repair for the majority of holes. There are some very large holes that may need to have a net replacement, but we can repair 95% of holes that occur.
Q. How strong is the material and what’s it made of?
A. The repair has a breaking strain of 110kgs and is made from polyurethane coated Kevlar.
Q. What maintenance is required on the System and is it expensive?
A. A Fresh water wash the ROV after each dive and service thrusters as required, for example weed stuck in them (user serviceable). The net stitcher skid actuators and ROV require servicing by qualified technicians every 500 hours to ensure smooth operations. The ongoing maintenance cost is low, thanks to our simple and modular system design. Parts can be swapped out and the ROV can keep working while the parts are serviced.
Looking to start a new project?
In the boundless depths of the ocean, every connection matters. At SoSub, we’re excited to solve the unsolvable. Your questions fuel our innovation. Get in touch with us to explore the possibilities.
