King Salmon’s new Farm Barge – a perfect fit!

King Salmon’s new Farm Barge – a perfect fit!

The most sophisticated barge ever commissioned by The New Zealand King Salmon Co Ltd was assembled in a lift of absolute precision at Nelson slipway today.

Designed to tender to requirements at the Company’s new farm at Clay Point in Tory Channel the barge construction has been managed by Challenge Marine Limited over the last three months.

“The Clay Point farm implementation is running to a tight timetable which was a consideration in considering bids for this work” said Aquaculture General Manager Stewart Hawthorn “along with quality reputation including seaworthiness and economic value”. 

“We are very pleased with the out turn of the Challenge Marine work on this barge project.  Their advice, attention to detail and timeliness has met our demanding criteria” noted Mr Hawthorn.“  It now remains to complete the outfitting on the barge and sea-towing to the site by early December after it is expected to slip at Nelson on the 26th ”

The barge provides accommodation for up to five staff 24/7, storage provision for 8 days feed, energy generation, office areas, feed dispersement, net cleaning technology, feed monitoring systems, storage for water and fuel, sanitary management, stability system tanks, diving equipment and diver transition facilities.  Priority consideration has been given to health and safety features along with stability and security within its moorings.

Chief Executive, Paul Steere also commended Challenge Marine and their sub-contractor Presentation Homes for their efforts.  “This is the single largest build within the Clay Point Project – at nearly $1.5m it represents a significant investment for a support facility” said Paul Steere.

The Clay Point implementation is on a farm site licensed to King Salmon back in 1994 and held as part of their expansion bank.  “Total infrastructure involved requires an investment of around $4million and includes a new system of net support cages fabricated by Cuddons in Blenheim.  Their design and mooring systems follows a review of the latest overseas practices and also takes into account the particular needs of the Tory Channel site environment,” commented Mr Steere.

“We hope to introduce salmon already growing on our marine sites during December before the water gets too warm for what are naturally demanding fish handling procedures”.  “Then in February we will officially open the farm introducing smolt from our hatcheries that were spawned last April.  When fully stocked, the farm will hold salmon with an invested value exceeding $12m. The security and well being of that investment has been a prime consideration in our planning”

Mr Steere noted that the Clay Point commissioning represents the last new water space the Company has available.  Mr Steere added, “We are looking to ensure a lighter environmental footprint for our activity throughout our farms so this additional space does not provide a full increment to our production.  The biggest challenge facing the company in meeting its growing demand is the ability to secure additional water space.  Government is aware of our concerns that growth is now stalled as the Aquaculture Law Reform implementation continues to confound and frustrate expectations of all involved.”

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