NMIT students dive into the future

Thanks to the New Zealand Marine Studies Centre, these NMIT students got a chance to handle a remote-operated vehicle (ROV) using its controller to pass it through a series of submersed obstacles.   

Sam Currin was one of the many students who enjoyed the session and said the experience helped him to understand the future potential use of ROV arms in net repair.  

“It was run by Hamish McKenzie, the Aquaculture Team Leader of the Net Cleaning Team at New Zealand King Salmon,” Sam says. “He came in and talked to us about the use of rovers for cleaning the sides of tanks on their farms.” 

ROVs are used frequently in the aquaculture industry, completing tasks such as monitoring and inspecting farm and water quality, and deploying and maintaining equipment. They can be equipped with tools such as gripper arms, camera, sonar and sensors. 

In future, ROVs will likely be more integrated with AI, allowing them to make decisions autonomously based on data they receive.  

This session was a chance for learners to practice skills used in the industry and learn about the uses in a practical and engaged way. NMIT Aquaculture ākonga (students) enjoy many similar field trips throughout their studies, as the programme focuses on applied learning that teaches real-world skills,  leading to fulfilling careers.  

Many thanks to aquaculture tutor Sobhan Akhavan who organised the opportunity and to Hamish McKenzie, whose expertise in net cleaning was invaluable. 

For more information about our available aquaculture and marine conservation programmes, visit the NMIT website(external link).