Yanmar set for Scottish debut

Leco, which is based in Alness, already operates an MPI RONC, on behalf of Grieg Seafood in the Isle of Skye, but the new investment will allow them to expand their cleaning potential.

“We trialled the cleaner for the whole month of July,” David Skea, MD of Leco Marine, told Fish Farming Expert, “and were very impressed with it”.

“It comes with rollers on both the front and back and copes well with difficult or slack nets – it cleans very well in troublesome situations and also has a lower fuel consumption than many of the alternative cleaners,” David adds.  “Having the two systems will allow us to cope with different problems as each system has its own benefits.”

“The deal is a very large investment for a relatively small company like Leco Marine,” reflects David, “but it will increase our cleaning potential and be a good addition to the service we offer our client.”

He adds that the company is also in the process of building a dedicated vessel to conduct cleaning operations from.

“We’re currently having a new 23m fish farm service vessel built which will be delivered in January from a yard in Southampton”

A Norwegian perspective

Østerbø Maskin hopes that the deal will be the first of many in Scotland.

“This is a net cleaner which is well-suited for the demanding conditions in Scotland,” says Østerbø Maskin’s Kim André Eide.

“We had demonstrations there in the summer and were able to compare our equipment with competitors’. Those who were there liked what they saw, especially considering the fuel consumption, noise and how it copes with different challenges,” he adds.

“We have had many sales of this model in Norway, but this is the first international delivery. We are now working on putting in place a service network, to further follow our customers’ needs – both in Scotland and northern Norway,” he continues. “And we look forward to introducing it to other customers in Scotland.”

Details

The joystick-operated washer was developed by Yanmar in consultation with Østerbø Maskin. The design is based on a unique patented technology which cleans effectively at lower pressures than other washers and it has extensive surface contact with the net, ensuring gentle washing. As well as an ability to reach inaccessible places, it is able, according to Kim André, to tackle rougher conditions than similar systems.