Stim – which was formed by a merger of Europharma’s fish health operations, with Fishguard and ACD Pharma in June – has developed the helmet with a view to allowing site technicians to consult qualified vets remotely.
Combined with a portable 4G transmitter, it enables technicians to consult experts remotely by providing them with a real time view of whatever they are observing. It has a range of applications but, given Stim’s fish health specialism, it’s no surprise that they see it first and foremost as a means of improving fish health and biosecurity.
“It means that farm technicians can show any possible fish health issues directly to trained vets,” Thomas Vian Pettersen, business development manger for Stim, explains to The Fish Site.
One application that’s already being trialled is using the helmet, when combined with an ATP measuring device, to monitor biosecurity aboard harvesting vessels.
“They currently have to go via Bergen to consult a vet in person, which can mean a 5-6 hour detour, but with technicians on board using the system they should be able to avoid such costly delays,” explains Pettersen.
The system launched on 19 August and the first customers include harvesting vessels, a Russian salmon producer and Pure Shipping. Pettersen expects many others to follow suit as the 20,000 kroner a month rental – which covers both the equipment hire and access to a STIM technician – can be quickly paid back.
