Scanmar’s dominating position amongst leading fishing companies and Fishery Research Institutes all over the world can easily be described in a few simple facts:

1.  Scanmar invented cable free Catch Systems.
2.  Scanmar has developed a huge range of sensors and functions the fishermen did not know that they needed, but now feel completely dependent of.
3.  Product quality, stable signal receiving, reliable information and profitable investments for the owners.
4.  Continuous product development including use of latest available technology and own R&D in specific relevant areas.

Scanmar is not going to change its attitude to the fishing industry: R&D will continue at the same pace as before, at least!

The reason for this is twofold:

1.  During the years Scanmar has been business we have booked a number of ideas which may result in development of products that we think will be of great interest, and profitable to the fishing fleet.
2.  After almost 40 years Scanmar is experiencing that a big share of the advanced world trawler fleet are using advanced ScanBas systems and the most advanced sensors as Trawl Eye, Trawlspeed and Symmetry sensors, as well as the new SS4 Multifunctional sensors. Together this forms a very healthy basis for new sensors and function, especially since they will complement the present product line, give valuable combined information with other sensors, and form a complete and simple to operate integrated system. Since, for most vessels, the basic system is installed, the new sensors/functions will be available at a very reasonable investment.

We have often experienced that manufacturers are promising new products with “fantastic” specifications and possibilities. Unfortunately do we see over and over that this is not happening, and quite often the products never meets the promised expectations, not to say; not even become ready for the market.

In Scanmar we very much believe in what we are doing. Of course we realize that there are fishing companies that for various reasons do not want to invest money in advanced catching technology, or settle for a cheaper, less advanced system, but we are of the opinion that the big part of the fleet which over the years has invested in the latest bridge equipment and has learned to take advantage.

One may always ask, and quite often correctly, if presenting new products a long time before market introduction takes place, is a way to create problems for the competition. But it may be otherwise: When Scanmar now introduce new product ideas, it is far from the reality. Scanmar has always had an extensive portfolio of product ideas, and we are continuously technical solutions and priorities. The eventual proof that we are serious is that we have applied for more than 15 technical patents, of which more than two thirds have been approved, while the rest are pending. Three of the awarded patents are already implemented in Scanmar products.

The three approved patents that are implemented are:

1. Temperature compensation for the speed of sound in water. The benefit of this technology is to obtain correct distance information, and naturally, in general; the larger the distance, the more important is the correction; for example depth (correction of echo sounder) and distance from gear to vessel. But also Door distance requires accurate measurements considering correct trawl geometry.The speed of sound in water varies with 4 m/s; consider water temperature in summer versus winter.
2. Technology for correct door, clump, door distances in Twin trawl fishing. The benefit is optimal trawl geometry and quick and simple corrections when incorrect symmetry occurs due to underwater currents or change of course. Reduced oil consumption and wear on trawl wires.
3. ScanTrack technology. The main benefit is to foresee problems by combining different information and make adjustments based on development during the past few minutes. ScanTrack technology is so far only partly introduced; new simple presentations and guiding assistance will follow.

It is too early to introduce other new products and functions since all specifications are neither decided nor tested; some products are under development, while other are being specified. For some products other manufacturers will be involved and final solutions will be decided between both parties.

However, based on awarded patents, we can inform that some of the new products will be distance between vessel and trawl, position of trawl relative to vessel, control of trawl doors and winches, escape method for unwanted fish due to wrong species or sizes.

Scanmar release this information because we are advertising a closer cooperation with the fishing companies. We do this partly because we would appreciate input from the fishing fleet when regarding requirements and specifications for the new sensors and functions. And, we believe that a closer contact between Scanmar and vessel owner may result in more efficient operation, reduced costs and increased profit.

If you would like to receive copies of the approved patents, please contact us.