JFD Acquires Closed Bill Diving System
established, JFD’s saturation diving training will be one of only two programs in the world that will provide divers with an internationally-recognized closed bell saturation diving qualification.Giovanni Corbetta, managing director, JFD, said, “Reestablishing closed bell diver training at Fort William is very much in line with JFD’s ongoing drive to provide divers and subsea operators with the skills, equipment, capabilities and training they need to carry out their work whilst ensuring their safety at all times. Given recent growth in the industry, now more than ever it is essential
Closed Bell Diving Courses Relaunched at The Underwater Centre
the energy sector continues to recover from the global downturn.Industry and public bodies including Oil & Gas UK, Subsea UK, Subsea 7, TechnipFMC, Premier Oil and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) recently collaborated to support The Underwater Centre and ensure its future success.Located in Fort William in the Scottish Highlands, the company now operates as a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee and is funded and supported by its members.David McGhie, managing director of The Underwater Centre, said, “We are now the only closed bell trainer in the world which has a self-propelled
The Underwater Centre Under New Ownership
center, and is a real asset to Lochaber. We are delighted to support this innovative collaboration which demonstrates the very high regard the industry has for The Underwater Centre and will strengthen the sustainability of the business. This move will safeguard more than 50 high value jobs in Fort William and provide a platform to underpin business growth in the years ahead.”Minister for Business, Innovation and Energy Paul Wheelhouse also welcomed the news: “I am delighted that The Underwater Centre has, with industry support, repositioned itself to achieve a long term sustainable
Kawasaki Tests Prototype AUV in UK Waters
fostered in-house over the years, with support from a subsidization project by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT). The AUV verification test was carried out from November 6 to 20, 2017 at The Underwater Centre, a marine testing and training facility in Fort William, Scotland. Tests at sea used a prototype AUV and a charging station, and included automated docking of the AUV to the charging station, contactless charging, and large-capacity optical communication operations. During the testing period, representatives from major oil and gas companies
Next-Generation Subsea Metrology: Better Measurements, Fast
needed to map underwater structures and offshore sites. Representatives from across the North Sea energy sector, including senior figures from oil majors, contracting companies and service providers, attended the demonstrations which were held over three days at The Underwater Centre in Fort William. The event was organized by DOF Subsea to showcase the capabilities of dynamic mobile mapping. The new technique uses a 3D laser scanner fitted to an ROV to create highly detailed, point cloud images of subsea assets and environments. By combining the 3D laser data with precise
New Hydraulics Training Course at The Underwater Center
with hands-on practical exercises using our state-of-the-art training equipment. “Our candidates will come away from this course with a solid grounding in hydraulics with experience which can be utilized across all industries.” BSW Timber, which is based just outside of Fort William, sent three maintenance technicians to take part in the inaugural Hydraulics Level 1 course, helping to reduce the costs and time which would have previously been spent on a course south of the border. Ewen Smith, Engineering Manager at BSW said "The feedback from the candidates
Tekmar Trial Proves Successful at The Underwater Center
Tekmar Energy, which supplies cable protection systems (CPS) to the offshore windfarm industry, has carried out a full-scale demonstration of its products at The Underwater Center, the subsea training and trials facility based in Fort William. The objective of the demonstration was to prove the ability to rapidly and reliably remove a CPS without the need for divers. This is particularly key for the future as offshore windfarm projects are being installed in increasingly deeper waters where diving becomes more dangerous and costly. With numerous offshore wind industry leaders in
Subsea Cener to Deliver Enhanced Diver Training Courses
covers theory and practical, but in a laymen understanding on the various components of a bolted connection, inspection, assembly and alignment, and finally applying the correct bolt loading using Subsea Bolt Tensioning Equipment. “Delivering the course at The Underwater Center in Fort William allows a concentrated focus in familiar surroundings for divers; ensuring individuals are trained and knowledgeable in Subsea Bolt Tensioning when they graduate from their diving course.” All of the training courses have been added at no extra cost to the student.
Subsea UK to Sponsor MATE ROV Competition
, organized by the Robert Gordon University, encourages young engineers to design and test underwater machinery with help from industry mentors. Subsea UK joins BP, which has supported the competition since its first year, as headline sponsors, with ROVOP and The Underwater Center in Fort William providing additional support. The major STEM initiative aims to inspire future engineers through hands-on experience of designing remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) used underwater in the oil and gas, defence, oceanology and marine renewables industries. Last year’s competition
February 2024
