World’s First ‘Exposed’ Fish Farm To Use Precision Fiber Optic System To Monitor Structural Stress

Light Structures AS, the world-leading supplier of fiber optic condition monitoring systems for maritime applications, and SalMar ASA have entered into an agreement for delivery of a Fiber Bragg Grating technology (FBG)-based structural monitoring system for installation on the unique Ocean Farm 1 aquaculture facility, located in open water near Frohavet on Norway’s west coast.

Making its debut as the first-ever ‘offshore fish farm’ in 2017, Ocean Farm 1 is a full-scale pilot facility designed to verify the biological and technological aspects of offshore fish farming. The exposed fish farm concept introduces tangible benefits to the aquaculture workflow, not least with the ability to raise healthier fish due to the continuous flow of water an offshore location enables. Ocean Farm 1 features six huge nets arranged in a circular floating structure, with a total capacity for 1.6 million Salmon.

In order to provide more precise structural stress and fatigue data for lifecycle research conducted by Ocean Farm 1 technology partner DNV, SalMar tasked Light Structures to deliver a customized monitoring system using its SENSFIBTM technology in August 2021.

Image Credits: theoceanspace.com

The decision to use this unique alternative to traditional electro-mechanical monitoring was made based on the better accuracy, dependability and adaptability of FBG, as well as DNV’s positive work on ship hull stress and fatigue monitoring with Light Structures in the past.

“We have delivered tailored structural stress monitoring solutions using the FBG methodology to over 300 vessels of varying size and type,” said Ernad Sehic, Senior International Sales Manager, Light Structures. “The custom project nature of our work with

large ships and specialist vessels demonstrates our ability to adapt SENSFIBTM to unique structures like the Ocean Farm 1. The data will contribute to optimized condition-based maintenance and support further offshore aquaculture developments.”

“We’re confident that precise structural stress and fatigue measurement by Light Structures will provide a significant contribution to the development of structural modifications and alternative offshore fish farm designs, as well as new processes and workflows that will further strengthen the case for taking aquaculture further from shore,” said Bjørn Erik Pedersen, Project Manager SFF, SalMar ASA.

Light Structures’ SENSFIBTM fiber optic stress and fatigue monitoring system will be delivered to Ocean Farm 1 at the end of September. Installation – without the need for any hot works – will start soon after and the system is expected to be operational early in October.

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World’s First ‘Exposed’ Fish Farm To Use Precision Fiber Optic System To Monitor Structural Stress appeared first on Marine Insight – The Maritime Industry Guide

Source: Maritime Shipping News