Kongsberg Digital and Norwegian Seafood Research Fund successfully concludes a simulator development project to improve safety and prevent loss of fish

Horten, May 2^nd, 2024 – Kongsberg Digital has concluded a new project funded by FHF (the Norwegian Seafood Research Fund) for the development of its K-Sim Fishery simulator to incorporate a new purse seine application. The new simulator capabilities were demonstrated to the stakeholders at an event hosted by Nordland Vocational School (Lofoten Maritime) in Leknes, Norway on April 30^th.

Launched in 2018, K-Sim Fishery is an industry-leading fishery simulator that introduces a whole new level of detail, authenticity, and content for crew training in the techniques and processes of trawl fishing. The initiative facilitates the integration of purse seine capabilities for research, aiming to bolster safety and efficiency in operations. It seeks to enhance fishing gear and methodologies, along with catch and storage procedures, thereby elevating fish quality and mitigating catch losses. The incorporation of a new simulator feature serves as a valuable tool for educating and training individuals in this fishing technique, promoting safer and more sustainable fishing practices.

The project has been led by Kongsberg Digital in partnership with Hordaland Vocational School, Mørenot Austevoll AS, Austevoll Seafood ASA, and Sørheim Holding AS. In addition to sharing indispensable advice and industry knowledge, these partners have provided data input and assisted with system testing and verification.

“Close cooperation with the industry has been instrumental in maximising real-life situations with the simulated equipment,” comments Bjarne Wulff, Product Advisor in Maritime Simulation, Kongsberg Digital. “I’m proud to demonstrate what we have achieved in this project and assure you that we will continue to develop the K-Sim Fishery simulator to meet future industry demands.”

Following the completion of the purse seine development project, the new functionality will be installed in several education establishments. Trainees using the K-Sim Fishery simulator will build competence and benefit from the realistic and immersive exercises of purse seine fishing in addition to trawl and long-line techniques. Advanced hydrodynamic modeling of the vessel and equipment will, for example, precisely replicate the effects of waves and tidal currents affecting the execution of their tasks. The consequent honing of skills among crew members will further improve the overall safety, efficiency, and economy in these types of fishery operations.

“Today´s fishing operations are advanced and require highly competent crew on board the vessels. By adding the new purse seine functionality, even more, commercial fishermen can now access valuable training to increase safety and efficiency as well as provide a more sustainable approach to operations. We are proud to be able to contribute to the development of the fishing industry, which is crucial for a large proportion of the world's population,” says Are Føllesdal Tjønn, Managing Director, Kongsberg Digital.

“The simulator allows the crew on a boat to practice all phases of purse seine operations, without exposing them to risks or equipment damage,” says Rita Naustvik, Director R&D Fisheries of the Norwegian Seafood Research Fund (FHF). “As a former fisherman, I have personally witnessed the importance of having the opportunity to practice these operations,” she confirms. "Training in the use of purse seines through a simulator will be cost-effective and, most importantly, a crucial measure to prevent harm to both crew and equipment.

ENDS

Notes for Editors

K-Sim^® Fishery:

With the main purpose of building knowledge, skills, and attitudes promoting safety, economy, and sustainability in fishery, the K-Sim Fishery simulator provides training in manoeuvring a fishing vessel and using gear and equipment for fish-finding and fish-catching in trawling and purse seine fishery.

Key features:

• Full instructor control of simulated exercise including replay and assessment.
• Realistic training scenarios through advanced simulation of the vessel- and equipment behaviour in a realistic hydrodynamic, physical, and visual environment.
• Possibility to expand and re-configure the system to adapt to changing training needs.
• Meets the new STCW-F requirements for fishery training and the DNV’s certification standards.
• Nordland Vocational School / Lofoten Maritime, Leknes, Lofoten
• Vlaamse Dienst voor Arbeidsbemiddeling en Beroepsopleiding (VDAB), Belgium
• Greenland Vocational School, Greenland
• STC mbo college - locatie Katwijk aan Zee (STC Group), The Netherlands
• Instituto De Formación Profesional Maritimo-Pesquero de Canarias (IFPMP), Lanzarote, Spain
• Instituto De Formación Profesional Maritimo-Pesquero de Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
• Robertson Marin Electronics, Peru
• L’École des pêches et de l’aquaculture du Québec (EPAQ), Canada

Kongsberg Digital has delivered or will deliver K-Sim^®Fishery to the following institutions:

• Nordland Vocational School / Lofoten Maritime, Leknes, Lofoten
• Vlaamse Dienst voor Arbeidsbemiddeling en Beroepsopleiding (VDAB), Belgium
• Greenland Vocational School, Greenland
• STC mbo college - locatie Katwijk aan Zee (STC Group), The Netherlands
• Instituto De Formación Profesional Maritimo-Pesquero de Canarias (IFPMP), Lanzarote, Spain
• Instituto De Formación Profesional Maritimo-Pesquero de Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
• Robertson Marin Electronics, Peru
• L’École des pêches et de l’aquaculture du Québec (EPAQ), Canada

For further information, visit K-Sim® Fishery – Kongsberg Digital

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