Calibrate Your Temperature Probe for Peak Performance

Before you kick off the season—and at intervals throughout—it’s critical to check and calibrate your temperature probe. This small step can make a big difference in keeping your RSW system running efficiently and protecting your equipment.

An improperly calibrated probe can cause your controller to read water temperatures incorrectly, which in turn can lead to chiller freeze-up, inefficient cooling, or even compressor damage. Calibration should always be verified using an accurate reference thermometer or a cup of crushed ice and fresh water (32°F). If your controller reads 30°F in ice water, for example, adjust the calibration offset (“F03” parameter) by +2 to bring the reading to 32°F.

Your temperature controller is the brain of your RSW system—it determines when to open or close the liquid line solenoid valve based on your setpoint. If the controller or probe is off by even a degree or two, the system may overwork, freeze up, or fail to hold your target temperature consistently.

To get step-by-step instructions on how to calibrate your controller and temperature probe, refer to your IMS system manual or visit our Technical Resources page at www.imspacific.com. There, you’ll find detailed setup guides for your specific controller models and other useful technical documents.

Pro tips:

• Check your temp probe calibration at the start of the season, after any probe replacement, and periodically during operation—especially if you notice temperatures that seem off or inconsistent system performance.

• When replacing a temp probe, we recommend the wires be soldered as opposed to crimped in order to provide a reliable connection. If not done properly, crimped connections can loosen over time, leading to unreliable performance

Regular calibration ensures your controller is reading accurately, your chiller stays ice-free, and your system runs at its best possible efficiency—keeping your catch perfectly chilled and your downtime minimal.

Have questions? Call or email our support team—we’re here to help you protect your investment. 800·562·1945 or service@imspacific.com

Catch Us at Pacific Marine Expo 2025 Booth 1013!

We're thrilled to be back at Pacific Marine Expo, the West Coast’s largest and longest-running commercial marine trade show—November 20–22, 2025, at Lumen Field Event Center, Seattle

Stop by Booth 1013 to meet the IMS team and see why pros count on us season after season. Chat with our sales and technical team— we’re here to answer questions and provide you with your RSW solution.

Show Hours

Thursday (Nov 20): Exhibit Hall open 10:00 am–5:00 pm

Friday (Nov 21): Exhibit Hall open 10:00 am–5:00 pm

Saturday (Nov 22): Exhibit Hall open 10:00 am–2:00 pm

Ready to Join Us?

If you’re attending—or considering it—drop by Booth 1013. Whether you’re looking to prep for next season, upgrade your system, or just say hello, we’d love to see you there.

Stay tuned for show-exclusive updates and announcements. Until then—see you in Seattle!

RSW:101 2026 Classes

Register today to reserve your spot! Visit our website to register or click below on your desired location/date. Classes are $200 and BBRSDA will reimburse BBRSDA members or their designated crew member 50% of the class cost upon completion of the course.

Mukilteo, WA - March 20, 2026 | Naknek, AK - June 5, 2026

Who Should Attend

Anyone interested in prolonging the life of their refrigeration system and maintaining maximum efficiency. By the end of the class, students will feel confident in their ability to operate and maintain their system for years to come.

Class Description

A training program for individuals seeking knowledge in operating and maintaining their IMS RSW systems. In this course, we will be covering essential aspects of marine refrigeration, system startup, plumbing recommendations, operation and maintenance techniques, winterization procedures, and effective troubleshooting strategies. We will cover the basics for hydraulic, electric and diesel systems.

Course Highlights

Understanding the Basics of Refrigeration · System Startup Procedures · Water and Hydraulic Plumbing Recommendations · Operation and Maintenance Practices · Winterization Techniques · Effective Troubleshooting Strategies

Visit our website www.imspacific.com and navigate to our RSW Insights blog page for articles on all things RSW and the fishing industry.

Bristol Bay’s 2025 sockeye season is wrapping up as one for the books — with strong runs, bigger fish, and a sense of cautious optimism looking ahead to 2026. For fishermen and processors alike, this year’s results offer both relief and valuable insight for what’s next.

🔹 A Record-Breaking Start

Preseason forecasts from ADF&G projected a total run of 51.38 million sockeye, putting 2025 in the “strong to excellent” category. Those predictions proved accurate — and then some. The Nushagak District shattered early-run records, and by mid-season, the Bristol Bay fleet was hauling in massive volumes of fish, reinforcing the Bay’s reputation as the most productive wild salmon fishery on the planet.

🔹 Bigger Fish, Better Yields

After 2024’s notably small fish, many were relieved to see larger average weights in 2025. A strong age class contributed to improved size, with early reports showing better fish-to-pound ratios across multiple districts. For fishermen and processors, those few extra ounces per fish add up to real value — especially when fuel and operating costs remain high.

🔹 Policy & Management Outlook for 2026

With the Alaska Board of Fisheries set to meet in January 2026, discussions are already underway about potential changes in escapement goals, district allocations, and gear rules. The proposal window for that meeting closed in April 2025, but the conversations are far from over.

At the same time, continued support for long-term watershed protections — such as the Bristol Bay Forever Act — highlights the importance of maintaining the fishery’s ecological balance while supporting a sustainable commercial harvest.

🔹 What This Means for Next Season

• Expect another strong run. With solid age classes and stable ocean conditions, 2026 could follow 2025’s strength.

• Stay adaptive. Management adjustments are possible after the 2026 Board of Fisheries meeting, so keep up with regulatory updates.

• Optimize your system performance. Whether you’re chilling sockeye or switching over to another fishery, properly tuned RSW systems ensure top product quality and fuel efficiency. A quick calibration and pre-season check can make a big difference.

🔹 Looking Ahead

The 2025 Bristol Bay season has reinforced what makes this fishery so remarkable — resilience, teamwork, and the pursuit of quality. As 2026 approaches, preparation will be key: from equipment maintenance to fine-tuning your RSW system controls.

Contact IMS today for expert support, parts, and custom RSW solutions that keep your catch at peak quality and your system running at maximum efficiency.
📞 (800) 562-1945 | ✉️ sales@imspacific.com | 🌐 www.imspacific.com

Paul was born in Seattle and raised in Central Washington before returning to the Seattle area a few years after high school to work for a heating and air conditioning wholesaler. After spending several years in the commercial refrigeration industry, he decided to deepen his technical knowledge by attending the Refrigeration Program at Perry Technical Institute in Yakima, WA.

Following graduation, Paul returned to Seattle and continued working in refrigeration wholesale before joining Seattle Refrigeration and Manufacturing Co., where he spent more than 20 years. When that company closed, IMS was fortunate to bring Paul on board — and he’s been part of the Integrated Marine Systems team since January 2011.

A proud fan of the Seattle Seahawks and Washington Huskies, Paul has recently rekindled his enthusiasm for the Seattle Mariners — thanks to some exciting seasons that made baseball fun again.

Paul enjoys collaborating with his coworkers and customers across the fishing and cold storage industries and values the strong relationships he’s built over the years.

In his free time, you’ll find him reading books by Jimmy Buffett or Martin Cruz Smith, catching old movies and classic TV shows, or reflecting on his travels — he’s been lucky enough to explore much of the world and has stood on five of the seven continents.

Give Paul a call and let him put his 40+ years of marine & industrial refrigeration industry experience to work for you! (800) 562-1945