An optimal trawling process is always dependent on the quality and the quantity of information provided to the decision maker.
To improve decision base, Rolls-Royce has joined forces with the scientific-, educational- and fishing environment to develop a ground breaking auto trawl system – the Synchro RTX.
SINTEF Fiskeri og Havbruk has developed a mathematical model calculating the actual shape of the trawl, based on input coming from the winches and Marport sensors. The Synchro RTX system utilises the input from this mathematical model, to achieve optimal trawling by controlling the winches and thus the trawl gear. The trawling process is animated in real time on a monitor in 3D, a development being a co-operation between the Offshore Simulator Centre in Aalesund and Rolls-Royce.
Training/simulation programmes to be used on a standard PC will also be available, so that operators are able to familiarise themselves with the new technology.
The new system offers a number of advantages both to the ship owner and the environment. Better control of the trawl improves the symmetry of the net as well as the seabed contact to reduce the vessels fuel consumption. With better and more precise information the efficiency is improved and fishing time reduces, which in turn saves fuel.
Towards the end of the year the system will go through extensive testing onboard the trawler Havstrand, owned by the Strand Rederi in Aalesund.
