APAMA NRS

Repairs Nets Faster, Safer, Smarter

Industry Challenges

Fish Pen and Cage Vulnerabilities

Damage to fish pens and cages can lead to fish escapes, resulting in both financial losses and environmental impact.

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

PATENT PENDING

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.

 

SpecificationDetails
Size1000mm Long, 685mm Wide, 508mm Tall
ThrustersVectored 8 Degrees of thrust with both world and ROV coordinate operation capabilities
Camera1080p 30 FPS explore HD 3.0 (400m) Underwater ROV/AUV USB General Vision Camera
Power InputThe Apama is powered by a dual power system to provide solid redundancy. It carries an onboard 432Wh battery and an external 240V AC to 160V DC topside power supply. This allows the Apama to operate purely off topside power or entirely off battery power.
BouyancyHigh-density foam
Speed1.5 meters/second, 3 knots
Weight40kg in air, slightly positive in water
Lighting4 x 1500 Lumen Lights

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.

Vectored six degrees of freedom

Equipped with a vectored six degrees of freedom (6 DoF) layout, the Apama can fly however efficiently regardless of its orientation, allowing it to navigate complex underwater environments with precision and ease.

Advanced Control System

Featuring the market’s leading 6DoF control system, our ROV offers unique world coordinate and ROV coordinate base movement, offering unparalleled control.

Fast On-Demand Inspection

Thanks to the 6DoF Control, the Apama offers world-class manoeuvrability which significantly cuts down on inspection time by allowing you to inspect how you want.

300m Depth Rating

The Apama is built and ready to go to 300m out of the box, making it perfect for any aquaculture environment.

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.

Excellent Tooling Capabilities

With the modular skid, tooling can quickly be taken of or added removed to suit your needs.

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

Industry Challenges

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

SpecificationDetails
Staple MaterialStainless steel
Staple Payload100 Staples
Repair Material Payload30m Roll
Winching Force50kgF
Breaking Strain110kgs
Repair MaterialPolyurethane 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.

Trusted by Industry Leaders

Our facilities are trusted by global aquaculture operators, marine infrastructure developers, and subsea innovators who rely on precision and reliability.

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.

Download APAMA Product Brochure