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
Sonardyne Navigation Chosen for Thai AUV Program
to improve the accuracy, precision and integrity of subsea vehicle positioning over long distances, Sonardyne said. KU, as part of this research program, will be the first academic institution in the region to own Sonardyne’s new, third generation SPRINT which supports dual gyrocompass and INS operating modes, allowing AUV pilots and survey teams to utilize its navigation output simultaneously. A redesigned lightweight titanium housing provides space and weight savings to help maximize mission endurance. Syrinx DVL provides tightly integrated beam-level aiding
Schmidt Selects Sonardyne Navigation for SuBastian
of acoustic positioning with the continuous availability and fast update rate of inertial sensors. This combination provides robust vehicle positioning during periods of challenging acoustic conditions and helps to improve sensor data quality and vehicle control. Uniquely, SPRINT supports dual gyrocompass and INS operating modes, meaning that SuBastian’s pilots and science teams will be able to rely upon its output simultaneously. Its new, lightweight titanium housing also provides valuable space and weight savings that can instead be used for scientific payload or samples. SuBastia
Fugro Enables Safer Drilling for BP in Strong Currents
and positioning services. The positioning activities were carried out onboard the drilling vessel as well as on the three supporting anchor handling tugs (one tug had subsea acoustic ROV positioning). Fugro provided bpTT with dimensional control survey services, DGNSS verification, gyrocompass calibration and offset measurements, navigation at the well locations, and final positioning of the drilling vessel within the required tolerance of 3 metres. This position accuracy was required because the five wells were being drilled in a cluster (with separation ranging between 16 and 30 meters)
STR Adds iXBlue Equipment to Its Rental Portfolio
the offshore survey, IRM, subsea construction and renewable sectors, has increased its portfolio of specialized subsea rental equipment with the purchase of iXBlue’s OCTANS NANO. iXBlue, a navigation, positioning and imaging solutions provider, is supplying the OCTANS NANO subsea gyrocompass for utilization by STR clients in ROV and structure monitoring operations. The order is part of STR’s expanding range of iXBlue navigation and positioning technology and comes hot on the heels of recent investments in OCTANS 3000, ROVINS and RAMSES. The NANO attitude and heading
Disasters at Sea & Their Impact on Shipping Regulation
; The Argo Merchant: In December 1976, the Liberian flagged tanker ran aground in Nantucket, Mass., resulting in the worst U.S. oil spill (7.6 million gallons) up to that date. According the Coast Guard, the cause was the result of ineffective vessel navigation due to faulty gyrocompass, erratic RDF and human error in the ineffective use of standard and secondary navigation – exacerbated by a winter storm. The spill led to the creation of the Port and Tanker Safety Act of 1978, which established vessel traffic services, provided for greater supervision and control of vessels
Adventure Under Ice
, but the thick shroud of ice and water render GPS signals useless below the surface. Nereid, therefore, must go old school and rely upon dead reckoning combined with other methods to fix its position. Of course, it does so with some sophisticated technology. Nereid is equipped with a north-seeking gyrocompass that helps track its heading. It also features upward- and downward-facing acoustic sensors that gauge speed. Whitcomb has been a key leader in creating the navigation systems for Nereid and, before that, Nereus. The acoustic sensors bounce sound waves off nearby surfaces (such as the sea floor
iXBlue Launches the Fifth-Generation OCTANS
iXBlue is unveiling the fifth-generation OCTANS, the trusted reference in survey-grade navigation. The new OCTANS is an all-in-one gyrocompass and motion sensor (attitude and heading reference system, AHRS) and brings in new and enhanced features, including IMO/ IMO-HSC certification and inertial navigation system (INS) product upgrade-path. The fifth-generation OCTANS gives marine customers more product variant choices, expanding the industry’s most comprehensive proven surface and subsea product range. OCTANS is built on iXBlue’s unique ultimate-performance strap-down fiber-optic
Teledyne TSS Launches New Gyrocompass
Teledyne TSS is launching the latest addition to its Saturn product range at the Ocean Business exhibition with the introduction of its fiber-optic marine gyrocompass. This is an entirely new product from the gyro-compass manufacturer. It is specifically aimed at the commercial shipping, fast ferry and superyacht markets. The new Saturn gyro also includes attitude reference capabilities which make it an suitable for dynamically positioned platforms and for the provision of full attitude data for hydrographic survey vessels. The Saturn 30 and 50 surface versions are designed as a solid state
Fifth-Generation OCTANS Launched
iXBlue unveiled its fifth-generation OCTANS for survey-grade navigation. The new OCTANS is an all-in-one gyrocompass and motion sensor (attitude and heading reference system, AHRS) and brings in new and enhanced features, including IMO/IMO-HSC certification and inertial navigation system (INS) product upgrade-path. The fifth-generation OCTANS gives marine customers more product variant choices, expanding its surface and subsea product range. OCTANS is built on iXBlue’s strap-down fiber-optic gyroscope (FOG) technology. Fifth-generation OCTANS customers will benefit from a new offer of 5 year
High-speed ROV Accelerates Mapping, Surveys
update rates, MMT also chose SPRINT as it is the most cost-effective and low risk technology on the market. The system architecture inside SPRINT has been developed with flexibility and expandability in mind. This means the same vehicle-mounted hardware can be used as a premium survey vehicle grade gyrocompass or an acoustically aided INS depending on operational requirements. Users are able to upgrade and switch capability on demand using remotely activated in-field upgrades, meaning they only pay for the features they need. Alan Macdonald, Sales Manager for Sonardyne commented, “We
STR Invests in Marine Navigation Systems
(STR); global specialists in the design, production and rental of advanced subsea technology for the offshore energy industry; informs it has invested in the latest generation of marine navigation systems with the acquisition of two Teledyne TSS Saturn 10 units. The Saturn fiber optic gyrocompass capitalizes on more than a century’s experience in marine navigation. Teledyne TSS’ own experienced and innovative engineering team has combined the latest solid state technologies and calibration techniques to offer a user-friendly, highly accurate and cost-effective navigation solution
SGB 2000 Gyrocompass Approved for IMO Vessels
The SGB 2000 gyrocompass manufactured by Teledyne TSS has been certified by Det Norske Veritas as meeting the standard required for use aboard IMO (International Maritime Organization) registered ships. The certification confirms that the SGB 2000 meets the performance standards required by the IMO and enables flag states to authorize its use on any ship required to carry one. The SGB 2000 solid state gyrocompass incorporates maintenance free ring laser gyros and accelerometers which have a MTBF (Mean Time Between Failure) in excess of 300,000 hours. With no moving parts and no requirement for
MTR100: Silicon Sensing Systems Ltd.
and its predecessor companies have a unique record in delivering gyroscope systems to the marine industry. Formed in 1910, Sperry Marine was set up to provide practical navigation and stabilization systems based on the newly emerging gyroscope technology, delivering the first North-finding gyrocompass system aboard the Dominion Line’s ‘Princess Anne’ in 1910. Spinning wheel gyros were to dominate the market for the next 50-plus years until the emergence of expensive laser and fiber-optic gyros with their enhanced reliability due to their solid-state non-rotating design
Accelerating Mapping, Surveys with High Speed ROV Ops
in a highly optimized navigation solution that delivered position updates up to 100 times a second. The system architecture inside SPRINT has been developed with flexibility and expandability in mind, meaning that the same vehicle-mounted hardware can be used as a premium survey vehicle grade gyrocompass or an acoustically aided INS depending on operational requirements. Users are able to upgrade and switch capability on demand using remotely activated in-field upgrades, meaning they only pay for the features they need. “When testing the new MMT Survey Interceptor ROV, we were looking for
Kongsberg Launches New Gyrocompass
Oceanology International 2014 sees the launch of a new range of Gyrocompass products based on the well proven MRU technology from Kongsberg Maritime’s sensor ‘Powerhouse’, Kongsberg Seatex. The first model available is MGC R3, which includes three Ring Laser Gyros (RLGs) and three linear accelerometers providing highly accurate readings suitable for demanding applications such as seabed mapping. MGC R3 complements the well-established and comprehensive range of MRU models (Motion Reference Unit) for high-end offshore and survey applications. MGC R3 has INS capabilities with
New Gyrocompass from Kongsberg
OI ’14 was the launching point for a new range of Gyrocompass products based on MRU technology from Kongsberg Maritime’s sensor Powerhouse, Kongsberg Seatex. The first model available is MGC R3, which includes three Ring Laser Gyros (RLGs) and three linear accelerometers providing highly accurate readings suitable for demanding applications such as seabed mapping. MGC R3 complements the well-established and comprehensive range of MRU models (Motion Reference Unit) for high-end offshore and survey applications. MGC R3 has INS capabilities with embedded north seeking algorithms and outputs
