
Beyond the Tip of the Iceberg Tech: RDT&E's Annual Arctic Technology Evaluation
The Coast Guard Research and Development Center (RDC) teamed up with Coast Guard Cutter Campbell’s crew this summer to evaluate five technologies as part of the RDC’s annual Arctic Technology Evaluation. The Campbell crew conducted the evaluations during their two-month deployment supporting joint Arctic operations off Greenland’s western coast, returning to their Kittery, Maine, homeport on Sept. 29, 2020.“Testing various technologies by cutter crews for operation in cold and Arctic environments provides highlights on what works and what may need improvement, and can help

'Roomba' in the Arctic
in ultra-heavy oil. That video was presented at the International Oil Spill Conference in Long Beach, last May. “RDC had solicited companies,” Bennett explained, “with the request to get an operational skimming system with thrusters to Alaska by mid-July for the 2017 Arctic Technology Evaluations, but no entity was able to fulfill the deadline request.” Subsequently, Coast Guard personal contacted the Aqua-Guard team in Vancouver. Bennett said Aqua-Guard’s team “jumped on the opportunity to have a RotoX tested in ice” and they built and tested

Designing for Ice with Ian Jordaan
were placed inside the hull. They might ram that vessel into the ice, during which they measure the pressure distribution. Based on this data, we can develop criteria for various ice scenarios. If I’m working on a design, there is nothing better than full-scale data. At the Arctic Technology Conference here in St. John’s in October, I am presenting a paper, “Estimation of Ice Loads Using Mechanics of Ice Failure in Compression”, which focuses on high-pressure zones and the use of mechanics for design. It highlights the necessity of using full-scale data, and also

Alaska Awards Fugro for Ice Management
Alaska Governor Bill Walker announced Fugro as winner of the 2015 Governor’s North Star Award for International Excellence in the category of scientific exchange. The accolade follows the ‘Spotlight on Arctic Technology’ award announced during the annual Arctic Technology Conference last year. Fugro was honored for its development of an airborne sea-ice management capability that enables ice thickness mapping, characterization and monitoring over large geographic areas. Utilizing a unique radar mapping system known as GeoSAR, the ice management capability is designed to

OTC Names 2015 Award Recipients
safety. Ayers has been awarded 49 patents and has received numerous other technical and leadership awards, including one from the American Gas Association for “Engineer of the Year.” The Distinguished Achievement Award Program is expanding to two other OTC events. The Arctic Technology Conference and OTC Brasil will both host versions of this program in 2015. The call for nominations is currently open for OTC Brasil. If truly significant, the OTC Brasil Awards Committee will bestow an individual and an organization with this award for technological, humanitarian

Olgoonik/Fairweather Recognized for CSESP Contributions
Olgoonik/Fairweather, LLC is being honored by the 2015 Arctic Technology Conference (ATC) with a Distinguished Achievement Award for its contribution to the Chukchi Sea Environmental Science Program (CSESP). The award, shared by ConocoPhillips, Shell and Statoil, recognizes the co-design and safe operation of one of the largest multidisciplinary science programs in the world. Having just completed its seventh year, the CSESP is operated by Olgoonik/Fairweather and supported by ConocoPhillips, Shell and Statoil. The CSESP is focused on characterizing pre-exploration baseline information

Obama Arctic Plan Misses the Mark, Says Alaska Lt. Governor
At a 3-day Arctic technology conference in Houston, Texas, Lt. Governor Mead Treadwell told a gathering of oil and gas experts that President Obama's recently released implementation plan for the nation’s Arctic strategy misses the mark. "The White House plan does not move us toward more certainty on development,” Treadwell said. “Arctic offshore oil and gas development is occurring, just not in the U.S. You’d think we would have figured out how to offer certainty to investors by now.” Treadwell said he is especially surprised the federal government wants a
Aker Arctic & Navis Engineering Agree DP Collaboration
Aker Arctic Technology Inc and Navis Engineering Oy have signed an agreement on joint development of Dynamic Positioning systems for ice operation. The companies plan to jointly develop next-generation DP-system technology tailored for ice operation by utilizing their core know how and technologies. The development includes improved control algorithms, testing of the systems and utilising new more intelligent technology to overcome the ice challenges. The development work will take place in close co-operation with Aker Arctic Technology in Helsinki and Navis Engineering R&D Centre in St.

Aker Arctic to Design Icebreaker for Finnish Government
The Finnish Transport Agency signed a contract with Aker Arctic Technology Oy for design of a new icebreaker for the government. Aker Arctic in cooperation with ILS Oy will design the vessel and prepare the technical documents needed to hold tender for its construction in compliance with the performance requirements for the vessel, and will assist the Finnish Transport Agency in negotiations with shipyards later this autumn. The government has already taken earlier a decision in principle to procure a new icebreaker; and 125 million euro has been earmarked for its construction by winter 2016.