- The naval vessel developed with 100% Chilean engineering and manufacturing has been named “Lago Espolón” and is currently in trial operation at the Punta Cola center.
Built in naval steel, the pontoon has a storage capacity of 400 tons of salmon feed and accommodations for 22 employees. “We are very happy with the results, from the moment we thought about its design and construction, the team contributed innovative ideas that we today see reflected with the best market standards,” said Gabriel Jerez, Sub Manager of Operations at Salmones Blumar.
The pontoon has a modern telemedicine room that is available to all personnel and also includes implementation of instruments for measuring vital signs, such as blood pressure, blood glucose, among others. “This service is pioneering and has been made possible thanks to an alliance with the University of Concepción and Satelnet technology, and involves an online doctor to make more accurate diagnoses when a crew member presents any ailment and to be able to act preventively or define an evacuation,” he commented, while noting that the crew works 14-day shifts.
In operational terms, the professional also mentioned that the pontoon “Lago Espolón” has a feeding system developed by Chileans, engineering that addresses a solution regarding medicated feeding. “We have 8 feeding silos and two of them with the capacity to independently and versatilely deliver medicated feed to the entire staff,” he said and added that furthermore, the naval vessel has a stabilized ensilage system, fuel autonomy, fresh water production, among other advances, such as the implementation in bedrooms of an inclusive alarm system for people with hearing disabilities.
Pablo Albistur, Manager of Operations and Production at Salmones Blumar, also highlighted the development of this initiative, indicating that numerous innovations guided and led by Blumar were implemented in this project. “This pontoon is something unique in our company and the industry, standing out for its materiality, food storage capacity, feeding system versatility, the creation of a Feeding Software developed at Blumar, use of VideoWall technology for the control panel, telemedicine room, and many other attributes in aspects of maintainability, safety and comfort. We are truly very proud of what we have achieved and pleased to be able to begin its operation stage.”
Juan Carlos Ordóñez, Head of Structures and Mooring at Salmones Blumar, highlighted that this structure has a steel hull with 400 tons, which generates greater autonomy and reaches 304 m2 of habitability, allowing 14 m2 per person, high comfort for all people working there, two fully equipped lounges, industrial kitchen that allows faster service, offices with 360-degree views of the cages and a modern monitoring system, with state-of-the-art screens for a better control system. “We are awaiting a second pontoon called “Lago Tamango” for late June, which will also have modern technology,” he concluded.
