Video: Salmon Marine showcases innovative trim control system
Salmon Marine, a company with roots in high-performance engineering, presented its expertise in marine safety solutions at METSTRADE 2024, marking its first appearance at the event as part of the British Marine Federation initiative.
Speaking with presenter Matt Forbes in the video interview above, managing director Joe Salmon highlighted the company’s transition from powerboats and superbikes to a sole focus on marine safety while maintaining its emphasis on performance, speed, and quality.
Central to the company’s showcase was the Wavebreaker Ballast System, a mechanical solution designed to improve trim control, particularly in extreme conditions. According to Salmon, the system adjusts the boat’s weight distribution, increasing inertia at the bow to stabilise the vessel. “What we’re doing is we’re increasing inertia at the bow of the boat so that it cannot physically lift up then to slam down as much as it otherwise might,” he explains.
The system’s simplicity is a key feature. It uses a water scoop mounted at the transom to draw water into a ballast tank, activated by a manual control lever. This mechanical approach ensures reliability, especially in demanding rescue operations. “It’s deliberately simple to be intuitive and channel into those forces and use them properly,” Salmon says, adding that the system can pre-fill tanks before a mission or operate dynamically as conditions change.
The Wavebreaker Ballast System is designed for versatility. It supports both high-speed operations, originally inspired by offshore powerboat racing and slower-paced but challenging rescue missions in rough seas. Salmon notes the system’s role in protecting crews and passengers by reducing slamming impacts. “Protecting people from that is absolutely core to what we’re trying to do,” he emphasises.
Salmon also touched on the company’s rebranding from Salmon Power Sports to Salmon Marine. Founded in the late 1980s by Salmon’s father, the business initially worked across multiple sectors, including superbikes and powerboats. Today, the focus is firmly on developing innovative solutions for the marine industry.
