New database safeguards equipment/New database solves maintenance issues – Fishfarmer Magazine

New database safeguards equipment/New database solves maintenance issues30 March, 2012 –

Fish farmers must gather a great deal of information about their operation and the components on the farms in order to meet the many necessary technical requirements and safeguard equipment.

This is often a time-consuming and complex process, which is why Mørenot Aquaculture has developed a new database that significantly simplifies this work and helps solve the many challenges producers face in relations to maintenance.

This unique database, which was developed by Mørenot Aquacultures consultant division in Haugesund, has drawn a lot of attention at home and abroad due to its user-friendliness and accessibility.

In Norway, the database has been sought after in relation to new technical requirements brought in this year. Throughout 2012, all Norwegian fish farms must comply with the requirements in the new NYTEK standard and get issued with a fish farming certificate. In Scotland, a similar legislation is also under development. Certification companies spend a lot of time gathering information that documents the status of the sites, but the MMCD Database makes this process considerably easier. Many major companies have already entered into agreements to use the database, and the consultant division says it expects a further increase in customers as fish farmers start recognising the actual amount of documentation required to comply with the requirements for a fish farm certificate.

The database system is built up in the same straightforward way as an internet newspaper – i.e. for example if you press barge, all the details and certificates belonging to the barge will quickly appear. The same applies to small individual parts such as shackles, eyelets, fish mortality systems etc. If required, ‘non-certified components’ can also be entered. This could be camera, boats and electricity generators. There is a continued countdown on the lifetime and the validity of the certificates, and the user is notified at the expiration date.

The database also has its own maintenance module where all inspections are registered. The consultant department has entered templates from most of the suppliers of main components according to intervals and checkpoints. When the site is built up in the system, the consultant division can easily add on the right inspection intervals and checkpoints – and combine this to a complete system that ensures that all requirements are attended to. Any discrepancies are registered and stay visible as ‘open’ until they are closed in the database. All inspections that are carried out are stored with the deviation history, comments, images or anything else that the user thought was important to register

Since the database is web-based, fish farmers can allow access to parties auditing the site. This way, the certification companies are able to form a good impression of the farm before they are physically present at the location. Likewise, auditors will be well prepared and most likely make the certification process both simpler and cheaper for the fish farmers. It will also be possible to give access to service boats or others that carry out maintenance on the site. By looking into the database before a job, they can easily get an overview of the GPS positions, the type of equipment, bottom conditions and other relevant data.

Mørenot’s consultant department has its own team responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the database. If there is great demand, it is also possible to increase the number of staff further to ensure that all customers receive required service and follow up.