Gyrocompass News

Image courtesy Exail

Exail Debuts Octans 9 Gyrocompass

Exail launches its new Octans 9 Attitude and Heading Reference System (AHRS), the latest model in its navigation solutions range. Building on the previous generations, Octans 9 offers several upgrades to enhance operational performance across applications such as dynamic positioning, vessel navigation, and offshore platform stabilization.Leveraging Exail's Fiber Optic Gyroscope (FOG) technology, Octans 9 provides precise measurements with a heading accuracy of 0.1° secant latitude and heave measurement accuracy of 5%. Resilient to GNSS outages, the system secures uninterrupted operations in

(Credit: UTEC)

UTEC Gets Offshore Wind Survey Job in Taiwan

and export cables in water depths ranging from 7 to 40 m.UTEC will provide equipment and personnel for online survey, surface positioning and offline data processing and reporting on board an anchor handling tug supply vessel. The equipment includes the Veripos LD8 receivers, iXBlue Octans Surface gyrocompass and Vaisala digital barometers.  UTEC also provided trenching survey support on the first phase of the project, which was completed in November 2023. Upon completion, the wind farm will generate approximately 2.4 TWh of clean energy annually.TCP’s Phase 2 offshore wind project was initiated

Bourbon Evolution 802 MPSV (Credit: Bourbon/Supplied by Exail)

Bourbon Orders Exail Tech to Streamline Subsea Fleet’s Services for Offshore Energy

meters.IMO-HSC certified, the Octans AHRS will enhance Bourbon vessels’ efficiency in installation, maintenance, and repair tasks for the oil and gas, and offshore wind industries, according to Exail.Providing measurements for roll, pitch, and heave, Octans will serve as a survey-grade surface gyrocompass and motion sensor, integrated into the vessels' Class 3 dynamic positioning (DP3) system.This integration will ensure precise positioning and stabilization over underwater structures, ensuring the safe deployment of cranes, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), and supporting efficient survey

(Photo: Exail)

USCG's Keeper Class Buoy Tenders Set for Navigation Upgrade

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) has tapped Exail to replace obsolete gyrocompass systems on the 175-foot WLM Keeper Class Buoy Tenders. The $2,244,009 contract awarded to Exail includes Octans gyrocompasses and Netans Navigation Data Distribution Systems (NDDS) and covers a base year and nine options over a 10-year performance period.This upgrade will provide the USCG Keeper Class Buoy Tenders with more precise and dependable navigation capabilities. Built on Exail’s Fiber-Optic Gyroscope (FOG) technology, the Octans gyrocompass will ensure highly reliable and precise navigation data, the

New Product: BOREAS D70, FOG Intertial Navigation System

with Advanced Navigation’s AI based fusion algorithm to deliver accurate and precise navigation. The system features ultra-fast gyro compassing, acquiring and maintaining an accurate heading under the most demanding conditions. While D70 does contain a GNSS receiver, it’s not required for gyrocompass operation.Based on DFOG technology, D70 delivers a 40% reduction in size, weight, power and cost (SWaP-C), when compared to systems of similar performance.0.01° roll and pitch0.1° secant latitude heading (gyrocompass)0.01° /hour bias instability10mm position accuracyThe Boreas SeriesThe

Image courtesy iXblue

Seaforth Geosurveys adds iXblue Gaps M5 USBL to its Survey Equipment Pool

and high-precision geo-referenced positioning, especially in shallow waters where it has shown accuracy better than 0.5% up to 995m water depths. It is a medium-frequency ultra-short baseline (USBL) system combined with an Attitude & Heading Reference System (AHRS) based on fiber-optic gyrocompass (FOG) technology.

The Bongo RSV is one of C-Innovation’s vessels being upgraded with Sonardyne technologies. - Credit: C-Innovation

C-Innovation Orders Sonardyne Tech for ROV Ops in Brazil

services company C-Innovation (C-I) has ordered a package of Sonardyne’s underwater positioning and navigation systems to support its operations offshore Brazil.Remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) on board six ROV support vessels (RSVs) in the country will be equipped with Sonardyne inertial, gyrocompass and Doppler technologies, as well as hybrid acoustic-inertial systems.C-I has ordered SPRINT inertial navigation systems (INS), a Lodestar attitude and heading reference system (AHRS), Syrinx Doppler velocity logs (DVLs) and Sonardyne’s hybrid acoustic-inertial underwater vehicle navigation

 SEA1180 Offshore Patrol Vessel Model - Credit: Australian Navy

iXblue Tech for Oz Navy's New Offshore Patrol Vessels

French tech company iXblue will deliver inertial navigation systems and gyrocompasses for new Royal Australian Navy’s SEA1180 Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV). Based on Fiber-Optic Gyroscope technology, iXblue’s inertial navigation systems will provide the 12 new Arafura Class vessels with highly accurate and reliable navigation capabilities in all environments, including within GNSS-denied operational areas, iXblue said.David Cunningham, commercial director at iXblue: "We would like to thank the Royal Australian Navy and our Defence industry partners for their trust in our navigation

Fig.1. Sodebo Ultim arrives home after Thomas Coville’s record-breaking trip. (Photo Credit: Team Sodebo)

Around the World in 49 Days

knowing the DVL’s exact alignment. To this end, the system was calibrated in coastal waters where the DVL’s acoustic signals can reach the seabed. The bottom tracking of the DVL measures sailboat velocity relative to the seabed.   Merging these data with heading from a fiber-optic gyrocompass delivers sailboat velocity and trackline in earth coordinates. GPS data can supply similar information. Comparing these two data records reveals the alignment angle between the DVL and the boat’s heading.   Once the Teledyne Explorer DVL’s performance was validated, its output

In this edition MTR explores the drivers for subsea exploration in 2025 and beyond
Read the Magazine Sponsored by

Subsea Megatrends for 2025 and Beyond

Marine Technology Magazine Cover May 2025 -

Marine Technology Reporter is the world's largest audited subsea industry publication serving the offshore energy, subsea defense and scientific communities.

Subscribe
Marine Technology ENews subscription

Marine Technology ENews is the subsea industry's largest circulation and most authoritative ENews Service, delivered to your Email three times per week

Subscribe for MTR E-news