A stoppage in the winch unit onboard can be expensive if it happens while hauling. Now Rapp Hydema AS has launched a new Service Partnership which detects faults in winches while the vessel is alongside.
One of the first customers, as well as the first pelagic boat, is the “Eros” from Fosnavågen, formerly Norway’s largest ring net boat. “‘Eros’ is a 75.9 meter long combination vessel, built at Slipen in Sandnessjøen in 1997, which fishes for all traditional types of pelagic catch,” says Arne Martin Myre, Service Manager at Rapp Hydema AS.
The vessel’s service contract covers hydraulics and controls for the trawl and ring net sets. She is one of the combination boats fitted with double sets of winches from Rapp Hydema AS in Bodø.
Heavy wear
”With the new Service Partnerships we hope to get closer to customers by offering regular scrutiny of the systems at least once a year. Traditionally winches tend to be neglected and, provided the drum turns, everybody is usually pretty happy – as you would expect. Nevertheless, when breakdowns occur the timing is usually at the worst possible moment, for example in the middle of a fishing operation far out to sea,” says the Service Manager.
Faults can arise, and often tough operating conditions over long periods, combined with a lack of inspection and care, are the reason that functionality falters.
”Regular inspections performed by our service technicians are an easy way to keep tabs on the state of the system and thus limit unplanned operational stoppages due to faults and defects.”
Eliminates guesswork
Rapp Hydema began offering Service Partner agreements in June last year and reports so far have been uniformly positive. Almost all customers invited to try a Service Partnership have given positive replies. As the company says, there is absolutely no reason not to sign up for a Service Partner deal with Rapp as it sees major advantages to customers in such a deal.
”The service is organised as follows: service technicians come onboard and make a thorough inspection of the system. Traditionally we are usually summoned when a fault occurs, so we repair the damage and go ashore again, and the boat returns to sea. This work is often done urgently – often just enough to ‘put out the fire’,” says Myre, who now hopes to discover any problems before they occur.
”The aim is to reduce the chances of operational stoppage, so that the boat’s operating days and earnings do not suffer beyond the planned break. At Rapp Hydema we also believe that winch life spans increase and overall maintenance costs decrease significantly. We also offer a range of financial incentives to operators who sign a Service Partnership with us. For instance we offer discount on inspections done alongside in Bodø.
”It is worth mentioning that owners get the highest priority for their immediate cries for assistance between service intervals. In this way owners can deal with the problem when they are already in the yard or alongside. There is no reason to gamble and be unsure anymore,” adds Service Manager Arne Martin Myre.
