Underwater net mender launched
A machine that can sew up torn nets under water has been launched by the Norwegian company Sperre.
“The system can be installed on most ROV equipment and is one of a kind," Thor Olav Sperre, company CEO, told kyst.no.
Sperre, who is based in Notodden, has delivered ROV systems to farmers since 2006. The new machine fits directly onto net cleaners or can be used to repair nets on land, when not needed at sea.
The sewing machine was originally developed in 2014, but has now been updated and approved.
“The feedback we have received is positive and those who use the equipment say that it pays for itself in the time it would take to hire divers to repair small holes in the net 5-6 times. Time is money, and the ROV sewing machine can detect and repair a hole immediately without waiting for divers help prevent fish escapes,” Sperre explains.
The machine can be operated from a control room or from the edge of the cage.
“They can stand on the cage and have visual contact with the device,” he explains.
This machine is the only one in the world, according to Sperre and works by pulling together any holes in the net and "sewing" them together with stainless steel rings. It seals the holes much faster than divers according Sperre. The price tag for the machine is NOK 179,500 (about £17,000) and it comes complete with control system ready for use.
It fits on a variety of ROVs.
“They must be 230 volts, have an RS232 interface and be able to swim sewing machine in place – ie be around 100 kg – to deal with this model,” explains Sperre.
