Aquaculture
Modern aquaculture depends on knowing what is happening below the surface. Fish farms are complex environments where operators need reliable, real-time information to inspect infrastructure, identify problems early and make informed decisions.
The industry faces challenges including damaged nets, fish escapes, biofouling, environmental impact, strong currents and rough weather. Regular underwater inspections are essential for monitoring nets, cages, moorings and other critical infrastructure.
Water Linked provides compact underwater navigation, positioning, imaging and communication technology for ROVs, AUVs and other subsea systems. By combining DVLs, Underwater GPS, 3D sonar and acoustic modems, inspection platforms can navigate more accurately, operate in challenging conditions and collect better underwater data.
As a Norwegian subsea technology company, Water Linked operates close to one of the world's most advanced aquaculture industries and understands the need for reliable technology in demanding marine environments.
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ROV Navigation & Positioning
ROVs are widely used to inspect nets, cages, moorings and other underwater infrastructure. But currents, poor visibility and large structures can make it difficult to navigate and determine exactly where an observation was made.
Water Linked DVLs provide accurate velocity measurements relative to the seabed, supporting precise and stable navigation. Combined with Underwater GPS (UGPS) for absolute positioning, ROVs can navigate more effectively and associate inspection findings with specific locations.
This makes inspections easier to document, repeat and act upon.
Photo courtesy of Boxfish RoboticsAUV Navigation & Positioning
Autonomous underwater vehicles enable precise, regular, and repeatable inspections without the need for continuous operator involvement. Reliable navigation is fundamental to making this possible.
Water Linked DVLs help AUVs accurately follow planned routes, while UGPS can provide an external position reference. Together, these technologies support more repeatable inspection missions and the move towards autonomous, data-driven aquaculture operations.
Photo courtesy of Boxfish RoboticsUnderwater Communication
Radio and GPS signals do not work effectively underwater, making acoustic communication important for untethered vehicles and subsea sensors.
Water Linked's Modem M16 enables acoustic data transmission between underwater systems and surface infrastructure. This can support communication with AUVs, submerged sensors and other underwater equipment, helping create more connected monitoring and inspection systems.
Photo courtesy of Watbots3D sonar imaging
Underwater cameras depend on visibility and visibility around fish farms can change quickly due to particles, plankton, fish density and disturbed sediment.
Water Linked's Sonar 3D-15 provides real-time 3D acoustic imaging, allowing operators and underwater vehicles to see structures even in zero-visibility conditions. It can support inspections of nets, cages, moorings, anchor lines and other underwater infrastructure.
Combined with accurate navigation and positioning, 3D sonar data can also support mapping and SLAM systems, providing a more complete understanding of the underwater environment.
Image courtesy of Skarv Technologies
From inspection to underwater intelligence
Together, Water Linked technologies provide key capabilities for advanced underwater inspection:
- DVL provides precise underwater navigation.
- UGPS provides an absolute position reference.
- 3D sonar provides real-time perception, even in zero visibility.
- Acoustic modems enable wireless underwater communication.
Combined, these technologies help turn underwater vehicles into more capable inspection and data-collection platforms — supporting safer, more efficient and increasingly autonomous aquaculture operations.
Product Features
Small size
Our sensors are all developed to fit on small vehicles as well as bigger ones, without compromising performance.
Light weight
Lightweight sensors allow fitment on lighter vehicles, and leave you with excess payload capacity for other equipment.
Low power consumption
Our smart, proprietary technology leaves more power for your other devices or can help free up payload capacity due to requiring
smaller battery packs.
A robust communication is critical to our solution and working closely with a proven technology innovator such as Water Linked provides the reassurance required for this key part of our unique solution. We feel this partnership will benefit both companies and reaffirm Norway as a leader in bringing exciting new technology to the underwater industry.
- Håvard Lillebo, Founder and Owner of Watbots
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