Damen has held the first viewing of its innovative UV 4312 Fish Farm Support
Vessel. The new class is the result of extensive discussions with the global fish
farming industry and the result is a versatile vessel specifically designed to
undertake the maintenance and support tasks particular to saltwater fish farms.
The open day took place at the group’s headquarters at Damen Shipyards
Gorinchem and was held for the benefit of operators from across the global
sector.

The 43-metre, 499 tonne GT Utility Vessel (UV) 4312 builds on the
development work that went into its smaller predecessor; the UV 2410. The UV
4312 reflects the value that fish farm operators place on having a seagoing
vessel with a large expanse of clear, protected and easy to clean deck space,
which can be used for a wide variety of supporting services for fish farms. This
first UV 4312 will be fitted with the latest chemical-free delousing installation
and offers the ability to service more farms across larger areas and in more
open waters.

The vessel on show at Damen Shipyards Gorinchem is the result of a contract
signed in December 2016 by Damen Shipyards Group and Norway-based
VOLT Service. Following the open day she was handed over to the client in the
Netherlands and from there sailed to Norway where she currently is being fitted
with her modular delousing equipment. She will be formally christened VOLT
Processor at the end of May. Thereafter she will begin her duties of providing
delousing operations and other services to Norwegian salmon farms in the
Harstad area. Remøy Management AS was closely involved in the development
of the project and will manage the vessel once she is delivered.
Key features of the standard design, some of which also optimise it for fish
welfare, include a low freeboard, easy access to the waterline on both sides, a
large hold and removable railings for hose-handling operations. The standard
UV 4312 also comes with a diesel-electric configuration that provides an
efficient, flexible power supply for the 750kW propulsion installation and for the
deck equipment when moored within farms. During the build of VOLT Processor
protection for the propellers from nets and their mooring lines was added along
with a large oxygen generating plant and extra deck equipment such as cranes,
a capstan and tugger winches.