Fishing for Solutions: How the APAMA ROV is Reshaping Aquaculture Practices at Huon Aquaculture.

Introduction

In the competitive realm of aquaculture, Huon Aquaculture is in the midst of a significant expansion, aiming to double its production capacity. The primary goals of the company during this ambitious growth include increasing salmon production, reducing costs, and fostering continuous innovation to stay ahead in the market.

Huon Aquaculture faces ongoing issues with stock loss, primarily due to seals, and previously relied on outdated ROVs, that were not designed for the specific needs of fish farming. Traditional ROVs, built for oil and gas operations, proved inefficient and costly for aquaculture applications. The company needed a robust, cost-effective solution to replace their existing systems and meet their operational demands, which is where the APAMA ROV came in.

We investigated what impact the introduction of APAMA ROVs has had on operations at Huon Aquaculture.

Background

We spoke to an Asset and Planning Manager from Huon Aquaculture who shared insights into the company’s goals, challenges, and the implementation of the APAMA system.

Having previously led the subsea department, he recognized the inadequacies of existing ROV systems. The reliance on traditional oil and gas ROVs was unsustainable due to the company’s 24/7 operational needs, which prompted the search for a robust, cost-effective solution tailored specifically for aquaculture.

“Our main competitor for production out there is seals and stock loss”

Dr. Shea Cameron

ASSET & PLANNING MANAGER

 
 
 
 
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APAMA ROV: The Solution

The APAMA system was developed in response to the aquaculture industry’s need for a robust and cost-effective solution to replace existing oil and gas-based ROV systems. The previous systems were not optimized for the continuous and demanding environment of aquaculture.

Benefits of APAMA ROVs: 

Key Highlights:

  • Seamless Integration: The SoSub team’s understanding of the operational challenges in the aquaculture industry made the implementation process seamless. They worked closely with crews, ensuring that the system was adapted to the unique needs of the industry.
  • User-Centric Design: The APAMA was designed specifically for aquaculture, which made it a perfect fit for Huon Aquaculture’s operations. Its capabilities, such as net stitching and enhanced manoeuvrability, provided essential tools they previously lacked.
  • Hybrid Power Supply: The APAMA’s hybrid power supply is a key feature of the product that enhances both performance and operational efficiency. Unlike traditional ROV systems that rely on a single power source, the APAMA has a built-in backup generator.

In the event that the main onboard generator fails, the APAMA can still be operated and flown back safely to the surface using its backup power. This is a major advantage over other ROVs, which would require a dive team to physically retrieve the machine in the event of a generator failure, significantly increasing both time and cost.

Daily Impact on Operations

  • Operator Morale: The crew enjoys using the APAMA, and their feedback has been instrumental in refining the system further.

“From an operator point of view, I think it’s more enjoyable to fly… It’s 100% better to clean with it… In terms of repair times, they’re a lot more confident that they’re going back on shift with the machine that’s going to work.”

“The crews that were working under me absolutely love the machine”

Efficiency Gains: Huon Aquaculture has drastically reduced inspection times and improved operational efficiency, contributing to lower costs.

Performance Metrics and Outcomes:

  • Cost Reductions: Over $250,000 more has been spent on maintaining other ROVs than what was spent on the maintenance of the APAMAs in the year so far. Transitioning from older ROVs to the APAMA has allowed us to cut maintenance costs by about 90%.
  • Time Savings: Inspection times have decreased by about 40%, allowing us to complete tasks more quickly.
  • Innovative Applications: The APAMA’s flexibility has enabled us to use it for essential tasks such as pressure cleaning, significantly reducing the costs of that task from $300,000 with dive teams, to around $28,000 with the APAMA.

“Because the platform’s more manoeuvrable, we can actually use it for pressure cleaning… You’re looking at $300,000 for a dive team to clean a barge perfectly, whereas we can do that with APAMA for about $28,000.”

Feedback and Continuous Improvement

The feedback received from operators has been overwhelmingly positive. The APAMA system was developed with input from seasoned operators, making it intuitive and user-friendly. The continuous feedback loop has allowed regular improvements to be implemented based on the crew’s experiences.

Managerial Insights

Integrating the APAMA system has not only enhanced operational efficiency, but has also fostered a culture of continuous improvement within the team. The system’s design reflects a deep understanding of Huon Aquaculture’s operational needs, which has led to increased confidence among operators. ROV pilots are more assured that they can rely on the APAMA to perform effectively, resulting in improved job satisfaction.

“The ROV market for aquaculture has increased probably in the last decade, but this is the first machine that’s properly been designed for aquaculture.”

Conclusion

The integration of the APAMA system has significantly transformed the operational landscape of Huon Aquaculture, delivering tangible benefits that align with its strategic goals of enhancing production efficiency and reducing costs. Not only has Huon Aquaculture seen immediate operational improvements—such as reduced inspection times and cost savings—but also has seen broader improvements of team morale and the overall effectiveness of aquaculture practices.

By choosing a system designed specifically for the demands of the aquaculture industry, Huon Aquaculture is better able to respond more to both internal and external challenges. The collaboration with SoSub has proven to be invaluable, fostering a seamless integration process that emphasises the importance of understanding the unique needs of fish farming operations.