MacArtney Hires Behrens as CCO
Michael Behrens has been named chief commercial officer of subsea technology provider MacArtney Underwater Technology from November 1, based at the company's headquarters in Esbjerg, Denmark.Behrens joins MacArtney from the largest steel and technical sales company in Denmark. He has a HD(O) in Organizational Leadership from the University of Southern Denmark, and is currently finishing an MBA in Business Administration. Behrens' career began in international sales, and over the years he has taken sales director and business management roles with leading technology companies from Saab to ABB.
RBR Opens Office in China
Oceanographic instrumentation manufacturer RBR announced it has opened RBR China in Qingdao. The wholly-owned foreign enterprise under the direction of RBR Ltd. (Canada) will support the growing customer base and collaborative business development activities in China, the company said.“The market in China is huge and the local innovation in ocean science research, operational oceanography, deep sea studies and autonomous vehicle development is tremendous. RBR’s continued investment in China will help enable more innovative projects in China and allow RBR to share these experiences and
Persistent Profiling of the Greater Agulhas Current
impacts—notably climate matters.Extensive & Persistent Current Monitoring off Southern AfricaThe Agulhas Current streams poleward off the east coast of southern Africa. This major current exerts diverse influence—locally and globally. For southern Africa, the Agulhas affects things from marine transport and regional weather to local biodiversity. More globally, the Agulhas water properties are now linked to earth’s climate system.About one-sixth of the volume carried by the Agulhas leaves the Indian Ocean for the Atlantic. Paleo studies suggest that amount has varied over eons. Below
Marine Technology Reporter - October 2018
The October 2018 edition of Marine Technology Reporter is now available in print and online.This issue includes features on:The hunt for hydrocarbons: Subsea gliders are taking to the oceans to hunt for an ever wider array of anthropomorphic and chemical signatures to an ever greater accuracy.A “National Hero”: Shanghai Ocean University’s Professor Cui Weicheng is breaking new ground in the subsea sector, both in science and business.Ocean Observation: Two decades of moored ADCPs off southern Africa, as the Greater Agulhas Current is suspected to influence the global
New Research Vessel for Virginia Institute of Marine Science
A new research vessel for the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) has completed sea trials and is transiting to its home port in Virginia.The new vessel, the R/V Virginia, will support the institution’s fisheries research projects and greatly expand VIMS’ capability to perform general oceanographic research in the Chesapeake Bay as well as mid-Atlantic coastal waters. Interest in the new research vessel is already growing rapidly as next season is almost fully booked with science cruises.The 93-foot vessel was built by Meridien Maritime Reparation. JMS Naval Architects performed
Sonardyne Hires Paull as Business Development Manager
instrumentation and systems company Aquatec Group, will also focus on other developing ocean industry markets, such as subsea mining, for Sonardyne’s widening portfolio of products.The ocean space is home to an increasing number of offshore renewables facilities, including offshore wind farms and marine energy devices, and aquaculture operations, as companies look to diversify and countries seek to grow their energy and food production.“Increasingly our oceans are being looked at as engines of growth – be it in renewable energy, aquaculture, mineral resources and even biotechnology.
BMT and Sonardyne Partner on Subsea Monitoring
Engineering consultancy BMT and subsea technology company Sonardyne International Ltd. will together provide advanced integrated marine integrity monitoring solutions to the oil and gas industry under a new agreement announced today at the Rio Oil & Gas exhibition and conference in Brazil.The official Teaming Agreement will allow the two companies to collaboratively provide smarter and more efficient through-life solutions for monitoring and managing critical subsea assets, including drilling and production risers, moorings and wellheads.By jointly offering BMT’s monitoring and analysis
Seafloor Crawlers: New Robotic Tools for Challenging Missions
in the lower energy boundary layer. The low profile further minimizes current drag. The vehicle has operated in 1.5-m plunging surf and can cross soft terrain that will not support human loads. Recent tests demonstrated the ability to carry 40-kg payloads as well as tow a 45-kg sled across various marine surfaces.Specs of the Otter-SZC include:Symmetrical dual-sided operation for operation in the heavy surfWeight: 45-kg dry, 1-m long, 55-cm wide and 25-cm high (expandable in length and width)Speed: forward or reverse, variable up to 1-m/sNavigation: 3-axis IMU, FOG, dual encoders, dual-sided, dual-frequen
University of Miami’s Hurricane Research is Helping Save Lives
more of a challenge.“We saw several times in this last hurricane season where storms just intensified really rapidly, and that process is not well forecast right now,” says the University of Miami’s Professor of Ocean Sciences, Brian Haus.Haus is director of the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science’s Alfred C. Glassell, Jr. Surge Structure Atmosphere Interaction Laboratory – otherwise known as SUSTAIN. Here, he and a team of researchers are trying to improve forecasts of hurricane intensity and associated storm surges. Their efforts are supported by advanced
Kongsberg's Operational Advisory Solution for Harsh Environment Semi-Submersible
Odfjell Drilling has awarded Kongsberg Maritime the contract to deliver a real-time monitoring and advisory solution to provide operational safety and non-productive time (NPT) improvements for the 6th generation semi-submersible, Deepsea Stavanger. The contract is in specific relation to an upcoming offshore South Africa campaign awarded to Odfjell Drilling.Kongsberg Maritime’s integrated services and systems delivery for Deepsea Stavanger is designed to provide high operational safety and availability in deepwater harsh environments, strong currents and high waves. The scope of supply includes
OSIL Debuts Deep Sea Camera System
Ocean Scientific International Ltd (OSIL) launched its new expandable Deep Sea Camera System, a pressure activated self-contained system which allows for the integration of additional instrumentation.The system is activated by a pressure switch in the intelligent battery pack which can be programed at the surface to turn the camera on and off at specific depths, preventing users from having to record and review hours of wasted footage, and can also independently or concurrently activate any instrumentation that is connected to it.Data is recorded onto a standard Micro SD memory card. Several hours of
Ocean Networks Canada: 'Wiring the Abyss'
late July. The collection of detailed measurements over two years will assess the deep-sea site, approximately 200 kilometers southeast of Vancouver Island, for future use.“A potential full-scale neutrino observatory at Cascadia Basin would benefit particle physics, astrophysics, ocean science and marine biology by offering reliable long-term detection capabilities,” said Benoit Pirenne, ONC’s executive director of user engagement.The equipment being used to detect neutrinos is also sensitive to bioluminescence, providing scientists with data to study trends in this emission of light
High-tech Sensors Advance Tsunami Monitoring
to save lives, model wave propagation and quantify coastal hazards.The Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS) has recently taken delivery of five new RBRquartz³ BPRs (bottom pressure recorders) from oceanographic instrumentation manufacturer RBR for a long-term research program with the Insitu Marine Laboratory for Geosystems Research (iMARL). The iMARL is a network of deep sea ocean sensors including ocean bottom seismographs (OBS), broadband acoustic sensors, and RBRquartz³ BPRs for measuring absolute water pressure and temperature at the ocean floor. Strapped to deep sea landers, the
New Acoustic Technology Aids Fisheries Management
As fish and other marine life grow increasingly important for feeding a human population on the rise, how can high-tech acoustic-based scientific instruments assist fisheries management, while also opening up opportunities for interdisciplinary research?Fishery scientists and managers working to keep stocks sustainable rely on state-of-the-art scientific instrumentation to better understand the dynamics and structure of fish stocks, as well as the resources those fish depend on. Echosounders can help quantify the biomass and behavior of fish, as well as the plankton and/or krill that many fish species
Kraken Appoints Dillon as Chief Scientist
Kraken Robotics Inc. announced that Dr. Jeremy Dillon has joined Kraken’s wholly owned subsidiary, Kraken Robotic Systems Inc. as Chief Scientist.Dr. Dillon has 20 years of experience in research and development with a background in signal processing and mathematics. As an original member of Kraken's Synthetic Aperture Sonar (SAS) team, he developed the signal processing algorithms for the AquaPix SAS imaging and bathymetry software. He also invented Kraken’s AquaTrak Correlation Velocity Log, participated in numerous sea trials and was the principal investigator for a multi-year DRDC
MacArtney: Custom EMO Multiplexer
Upgrading the subsea survey and camera interfaces of an ROV represents the primary purpose of the MUX having been deployed in Singapore. The requirements for reliable transmission of large amounts of data and video from ROVs, ROTVs, ocean observatories and instrumentation packages are contantly being sharpened. Gathering high-quality data from the deep sea is an im¬mense undertaking, which calls for ensuring that multiple sensor and equipment types work in perfect unison and that all data are efficiently transmitted to the surface for analysis. Custom ROV MUX System A custom
Shell Ocean Discovery XPrize Field Pared to 9
to win $7 million Shell Ocean Discovery XPrize “We have been mapping what lies beneath the seas for hundreds of years, but we have a very long way to go,” said Dr. Jyotika Virmani, Ph.D., prize lead and senior director of Planet and Environment at XPRIZE in a recent interview with Marine Technology Reporter. “We only have 10 to 15 percent of the seafloor mapped to any decent resolution, and the ocean covers 70 percent of the planet.” And so proceeds the latest Shell Ocean Discovery XPrize, a race to deliver a disruptive solution to a traditional maritime space
"The" Subsea Awards Edition: MTR100 - Apply Now
13th Annual MTR100 set to publish in the July/August 2018 edition of Marine Technology Reporter -- the world's largest circulation b2b subsea publication. Top companies in the global subsea sector are invited to apply now for the "MTR100". Marine Technology Reporter's annual MTR100 awards edition is the subsea industry's most awaited annual ranking of the leading companies serving the global subsea industry. The editorial team gathers candidates and stories from around the globe, covering the entirety of the global subsea sector: - Subsea Defense - Offshore Energy
ADCPs: Action in OOI's Cabled Observatory
; Sound waves propagate through the water column so echoes are returned and processed from many depths. The vertical range of this collection of measurements - called a profile of ocean current velocities - is greater for lower frequency sound waves. Introduction Thanks to a spirited cadre of marine scientists and engineers, high-tech ocean observatories are now operational. These sites provide a continuous presence in the ocean for sustained and interactive observing. Many combine innovative infrastructure with multi-discipline marine sensors. Installed at various depths, these observatorie
Kongsberg to Deliver Fisheries Training Simulator
process. “While helping to educate and protect commercial fishermen, who often operate in extreme conditions exposed to risk, simulator training also contributes to UN Sustainability Goals, especially number 14, which has been established to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources,” said Tone-Merete Hansen, Sr. Vice President Maritime Simulation, Kongsberg Digital. “With over 50 million people depending directly on fisheries and aquaculture for their livelihoods and over 1 billion people in poorer countries reliant on fish to sustain a balanced, healthy
An Industry in Change
press releases announcing the launch of new, innovative products. ‘First time ever’ is an almost daily term I encounter within my inbox. There have been hundreds of companies starting up recently in the unmanned space over the last decade, and Hook believes we will continue to see more in the marine sector in the decade to come. Hook said, “There will be a healthy amount of these innovative ideas that are either ahead of their time or got surpassed by something else, so they will drop off. But there is certainly room for more innovation to enter the industry yet. At the
Xiamen University Selects AML’s Moving Vessel Profiler
Xiamen University has purchased a Moving Vessel Profiler (MVP) for the research vessel Jia Geng. The university’s State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science will use the deep water underway profiling system, MVP300, to collect CTD, sound velocity and environmental data in support of both hydrographic and ocean science applications. The ability to collect high density data in real-time while the vessel is underway will produce higher quality results than can be achieved with static profiling systems, and in a fraction of the time. The contract was secured through
Siegel Joins RBR as Sales Director
Canadian oceanographic instrumentation manufacturer RBR announced that it has hired Eric Siegel as its new sales director. In his new role, Siegel will focus on enhancing the sales and representative network to enable RBR to continue its global market growth with new products , as well as customer service and support. Siegel joins RBR with 20 years of experience in oceanographic and subsea technology, measurements and science, and has been involved in academia, government and private industry.
Moore Foundation Awards $3 Mln to WHOI
, to explore the seams between disciplines both inside and outside oceanography, will keep WHOI at the forefront of ocean discovery in ways that greatly improve our understanding of the ocean and our planet.” “Historically, ocean research requires major investment in ships, submarines, and moorings to collect data, which can take years to develop,” said Chris Mentzel, program director at the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. “Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution is known for its high-quality ocean research and instrumentation, and there is an opportunity now to bring
Aquabotix Adds Global Distributors
and private firms to drive advances in ocean technologies. Aquatech Services, which will represent Aquabotix in Australia and New Zealand. Aquatech is a Perth-based provider of nationally endorsed first aid, oxygen and scuba training solutions and services, with an expert focus in the marine and diving environments. Seismic Asia Pacific Pty. Ltd., which will represent Aquabotix in Australia and New Zealand. Based in Salisbury, Queensland Australia, Seismic Asia Pacific is a leading provider of hydrographic, oceanographic and geophysical systems within Australia and throughout
Valeport MIDAS SVX2 Selected by Saab Kockums
superior data profiles. The MIDAS SVX2 was selected for its commercial off the shelf (COTS) status which contributed to project cost and lead time efficiency, Valeport said. Swedish manufacturer Saab Kockums develops naval technology to design, build and maintain naval surface vessels and submarines that incorporate the most advanced stealth technology. Kevin Edwards, Valeport sales & marketing manager, said, “Valeport’s COTS approach means that the latest sensor technology is available at optimal cost and lead time. Our products can be customized to suit surface vessel
New Remotely Operated Hydrographic Survey Boat
Teledyne Oceanscience has introduced a new remotely operated hydrographic survey boat suited for inland waters such as streams, rivers and lakes. The new trimaran style Z-Boat 1250 is “sturdy enough for tough terrain but light enough to be one person portable,” according to Teledyne. The vehicle has a lightweight hull manufactured from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic, and is IP67 rated, which makes it well suited to survey in most water conditions. The vehicle weighs in at less than 50 pounds, including all instrumentation. A collapsible sliding crossbar makes the
Meet the CARTHE Drifter
Surface currents in the upper 1 ocean are very important in driving the fate of marine debris and pollutants but are also challenging to measure. Tracking the upper ocean in an effective manner may require massive deployment of GPS tracked drifter buoys, which until now were expensive, cumbersome and quite polluting themselves (i.e. made of PVC, ABS and Nylon). The CARTHE drifter is an answer to the need for a compact, user-friendly, robust, yet eco-friendly solution. Scientists with the Consortium for Advanced Research on Transport of Hydrocarbon in the Environment (CARTHE), in collaboration with the
New Dredging Sensors for Jan De Nul Group
Subsea technology company Seatools said it is in the process of delivering an extensive range of dredging sensors to Jan De Nul Group. The sensors will be used to monitor the dredging operations of three trailing suction hopper dredgers currently under construction. The delivery will comprise a broad range of dredging sensors, including (differential) pressure sensors, rotation angle sensors, inclination sensors and wire length sensors. The sensors supply real-time data on a wide range of dredging process and equipment parameters. As such, the instrumentation provides the basis
Oceangoing Lab: The Real Test of a Nutrient Analyzer
The U.K.’s National Oceanography Centre (NOC) undertakes integrated ocean research and technology development from the coast to the deep ocean. As such, the NOC has a heavy requirement for seawater analysis. However, in addition to analytical work at the NOC’s facilities in Southampton and Liverpool, the organization’s researchers also need to be able to analyze samples on board a variety of research vessels. Under these conditions, high levels of precision and reliability can be a challenge for most laboratory equipment, so NOC has invested in SEAL Analytical segmented flow
New PAR Measurement Logger Launched
Designer and manufacturer of freshwater and oceanographic monitoring systems and instruments Precision Measurement Engineering has launched the new miniPAR Logger that logs photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), water temperature and tilt measurements. The completely submersible logger measures the amount of diffused sunlight through water, which can be beneficial for understanding nutrient loading, photosynthesis and algal blooms in natural waters up to 100 meters deep. The miniPAR sensor is a Li-Cor Underwater Quantum Sensor, which measures PAR from all angles in one hemisphere.
Valeport Supports Quest for Marine Discoveries
Valeport, a manufacturer of oceanographic, hydrographic and hydrometric instrumentation, said it is supporting scientists to expand knowledge of marine biodiversity with its latest CTD profiler, the fastCTD, which records the conductivity, temperature and depth of sea water. The fastCTD is integral to the research kit that will accompany respected marine biologist Dr. Sonia Rowley as she undertakes her latest expedition to the island of Pohnpei, in the western Pacific Ocean, from August 2 until September 13. The trip follows in the wake of successful explorations at Pohnpei, the Cook and
New OEM Temperature Sensors from S9
Soundnine Inc. (S9) has launched new OEM Digital Temperature Sensors for integration on underwater instrumentation, drifting buoys, ROVs, AUVs or industrial and laboratory applications. Two mechanical configurations are offered: a screw-in type having 7/16-20 threads commonly used on underwater bulkhead connectors, or plain shank version. The screw-in type has an optional screw-on probe guard. Both are available with wire leads or solder connections. The serial interface can be either RS-232 or 3.3V logic level. The sampling interval is user programmable and sampling starts automatically when
Modulus Technology Adds AML Oceanographic to Its Portfolio
Modulus Technology based in Great Yarmouth, U.K., is now representing Canadian manufacturer AML Oceanographic in the U.K. and Eire. Modulus Technology is part of the AAE Technologies Group, along with Applied Acoustic Engineering Ltd. Modulus is the Group’s innovation division, dedicated to both developing new technological products and representing similar manufacturers, such as AML Oceanographic, that complement its service and support functions. Founded in 1974, AML Oceanographic (formerly Applied Microsystems) has more than 40 years’ experience in the field of oceanogra
60th OCEANS Conference Held in Aberdeen
Cosponsors the Marine Technology Society (MTS) and the IEEE Oceanic Engineering Society (OES) jointly hosted the OCEANS '17 MTS/IEEE Aberdeen from June 19-22, 2017 in Aberdeen, Scotland. The event, held at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre (AECC), marked the 60th edition of the global ocean engineering and marine technology forum. “The overall conference was a great example of local Scottish marine technology, and, at the same time, brought to Aberdeen marine science and technology experts from around the globe,” said Professor John Watson, Chair for OCEANS Aberdeen.
Project to Standardize Subsea Processing Progressing
Subsea processing offers great potential for the oil and gas sector, but is also a relatively young field of technology, causing costly and inefficient tailor-made solutions. A DNV GL-led joint industry project (JIP) on standardizing subsea processing aims to reduce cost in a lifetime perspective. Initially focusing on subsea pumping, the partners in Phase 1 have now concluded the functional description of subsea pumping, while Phase 2 will deliver standardized guidelines. With all the four leading system suppliers on board, new operators are still welcome to join the project. According
Sea Swift: New Platform Operational in Egypt
Global offshore engineering solutions provider Aquaterra Energy has designed, fabricated and installed a new Sea Swift platform for PICO Petroleum Integrated Services, the lead contractor for Amal Petroleum Company’s (AMAPETCO) Amal field in the Gulf of Suez, offshore Egypt. The Sea Swift is a Conductor Supported Platform (CSP) and is installed in 23 meters water depth. It included a 385 metric ton topside featuring a helideck and emergency accommodation with provision for six wells. The new topsides facility for the Amal-C platform involved designing process, piping, electrical
New Tech Gives Insight to Ocean Color for NASA Satellites
Having recently returned to land on board Schmidt Ocean Institute’s (SOI) research vessel Falkor, NASA Scientists have made important observations of phytoplankton with new technology to support current and future satellite observations. A swath of new instruments were debuted during a 25 day expedition across the Pacific exploring a wide variety of oceanic ecosystems. The focus of chief scientist Dr. Ivona Cetinic´, USRA/NASA, and her multidisciplinary team of oceanographers, engineers, biologists and computer scientists was to explore ocean particles, and more specifically the
Valeport: Tide Gauge Sales on the Rise
Valeport has reported a surge in sales of tide gauge equipment in its most recent quarter. The U.K. manufacturer of oceanographic, hydrographic and hydrometric instrumentation said that sales of tide gauge equipment rose 22 percent over the same period in 2016, reporting that sales across its portfolio of tide gauge instrumentation including TideMasters, Radar sensors and the TideStation are significantly ahead of forecast. Valeport’s tidal observation hub, TideStation, optimizes performance of instrumentation and is designed to be flexible in its configuration and has Valeport&r
New Custom Cables for Subsea Monitoring
Novacavi released its new P_22SSA ruggedized custom cable to support monitoring activity of the marine environment. This electro-optical-mechanical custom cable enriches the manufacturer’s diverse production range of subsea armored cable for detection and instrumentation in defense and environmental monitoring applications. Key advantages of this armored halogen free low smoke cable are high working load performance, protection against electromagnetic interference, compactness and versatility.
Teledyne, Greensea Partner for ROV Visualization & Control
Teledyne Marine has partnered with Greensea Systems, Inc to unite the intelligence of Greensea's OPENSEA operating platform with many of Teledyne's key technologies. Teledyne Marine Workspace ROV provides a single user interface that enables added functionality and intelligent operation to Teledyne's imaging, instrumentation and navigation solutions for a range of remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) from observation class to work class. Teledyne Marine Workspace ROV introduces a fully customized interface for ROVs with system-level solutions and built-in intelligent capabilities. Incorporation of
Partners Developing Dynamic Subsea Laser Mapping
for dynamic scanning. Edward Moller, Global Business Manager for Construction Survey at Sonardyne, said, “The level of detail visible in the post-processed images we’ve gathered on projects in recent months, has to be seen to be believed; small bolt-holes, individual chain links, marine growth and even painted markings can all be clearly seen. In terms of wide-area seabed visualization, it’s a real game-changer.” Chris Gilson, Product Development Manager at 2G Robotics, said, “This new partnership eliminates the complexities most subsea customers face
BMT Takes New Approach to Big Data Management
BMT Group subsidiary BMT Scientific Marine Services has launched an initiative driven by over 20 years’ experience of measuring and modeling data for the global oil and gas industry. The solution, Data Exploration and Analytics Platform for Actionable Insights (DEAP-AI), is an intelligent studio capable of processing large and small datasets using a rich set of processing libraries, developed with support from IT company Capgemini and hosted by an cloud service provider Amazon Web Services (AWS). “Our goal with this platform is to unify data acquisition, transmission
McLane Awarded as a Top Small Business Exporter
McLane Research Laboratories, Inc. has been selected by the Small Business Administration (SBA) as a 2017 Exporter of the Year for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. “McLane has not only been a recipient of SBA STEP grants that have assisted in defraying costs to promote American exports, but has also worked with the MA Export Center and the Small Business Development Center to reach new markets globally,” said SBA Massachusetts District Director Robert Nelson. “It is truly amazing what our small businesses in the Commonwealth are doing internationally due to a
Valeport Appoints Harvey as Financial Director
U.K. based manufacturer of oceanographic, hydrographic and hydrometric instrumentation Valeport has appointed Phill Harvey to the new post of financial director. He joins the senior management team to oversee all financial aspects of the business. Harvey brings to the role more than 30 years’ experience in the financial sector supporting many SME manufacturers and exporters. His commercial background includes roles at Handelsbanken and Lloyds Bank. Valeport managing director, Matt Quartley, said, “Valeport is rapidly expanding into new markets, delivering new
Manned Sub to Survey Titanic Wreckage
A new mission will send the first manned submersible to the Titanic wreck since 2005. The mission will see a survey expedition team use the latest subsea imaging technology and a newly built manned submersible to assess the condition of the shipwreck and document artifacts in the debris field. The OceanGate Expeditions exploration team will conduct annual surveys of the wreck in collaboration with experts from the Advanced Imaging and Visualization Laboratory AIVL at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution as part of an ongoing long-term study to document the current condition of the Titanic
Govt. Funds Help OceanWorks Improve Its Junction Boxes
It’s a go ahead for new design development and configuration for the established OceanWorks International observatory communication nodes, thanks to approved funding from The National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP). The OceanWorks Subsea Instrument Interface Modules (SIIM), or junction boxes originally were developed for the Ocean Networks Canada (ONC) Neptune and Venus observatories, where they have been in place since 2006. There is a total of 14 junction boxes that have been delivered to ONC for deployment on both Neptune and Venus.
Norway’s New Oceanographic Icebreaker Launched
to undergo final outfitting ahead of its delivery by the end of 2017. Kronprins Haakon will be owned by the Norwegian Polar Institute for the Norwegian Government, while the vessel, taking its name from the heir to the Norwegian throne, will be used by the same institute and by the Institute of Marine Research (IMR), the Norwegian governmental body for oceanographic research and fishing, and by the University of Tromsø. The high-tech icebreaker was designed by Rolls-Royce Marine to operate in the polar waters, providing a high-tech facility for the study of the marine environment
New Monitoring Platform Launched in Minas Passage
it can co-exist with other uses of the Bay.” FAST-3 includes a suite of sensors to gather data on fish presence and behavior, including an acoustic zooplankton and fish profiler and an autonomous scientific echo sounder. “This platform will help us continue to enhance our marine life monitoring program,” said Wright. “While international research indicates fish and marine mammals generally avoid in-stream tidal turbines, we need to test those findings here in the Minas Passage, with the best tools available.” Results from the current FAST-3 deployment
All Hands on Deck: ROVs and AUVs Aid Search for Franklin
Marine and subsea unmanned vehicle technology is playing an increasingly greater role in underwater archaeology, including the search for the historic shipwreck Franklin. For centuries, the ever-changing sea ice of the Northwest Passage made the route through the Arctic Ocean unpredictable and, on occasions, virtually impassable. Yet, since the 1500s the promise of connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and the economic benefits which would follow, were enough to entice many expeditions into this treacherous pass. One such explorer, Sir John Franklin, set sail in 1845 from England with
Atlantic Canada Profiles: CNA's Wave Energy Center
to develop land-based aquaculture using water supplied by an ocean wave-powered pump. Recognizing potential research opportunities within this specialized sector, the center has since expanded to include the development of wave measurement instruments and the testing of anticorrosive and antifouling marine coatings – all set in the harsh North Atlantic waters off Newfoundland’s southeast coast. The facility, which is housed in a former fish plant in the community of Lord’s Cove, has grown to include a variety of automated data acquisition systems including a weather station
A Breakthrough in Hybrid Underwater Vehicles
A collaborative effort has produced a new generation in underwater systems, breaking with tradition by uniquely combining several underwater systems into a single platform. The Fusion from U.S. manufacturer Strategic Robotic Systems is a breakthrough in hybrid underwater vehicles, combining AUV and ROV capabilities with diver navigation and propulsion – all in one system. Essential to making this forward leap possible was Norwegian scientific instrumentation company Nortek AS and its Doppler Velocity Log (DVL), as crafty engineering and high-end bespoke sensors have helped to
New Subsea Storage Technology Introduced
In January of this year, Dutch subsea technology company Seatools completed an R&D program on a subsea liquid storage technology. During the program – a continuation of an earlier engineering study performed on behalf of Statoil Petroleum AS – the storage technology passed a full product qualification test program and will now be applied at a Pile Installation Frame operated by Seaway Heavy Lifting. The oil and gas industry’s shift toward seabed positioning of (pressure-balanced) equipment like pumps, compressors, and related power grids that can compromise switch gear
Case Study: Mapping a Glacial Landslide
that would allow them to see below the surface to determine the thickness of the landslide debris. Along with Shugar were a large group of scientists from Columbia University, the National Park Service, University of British Columbia and elsewhere. The team’s plan was to map the submarine deposits with the UW-Tacoma’s Z-Boat 1800 RP named ‘Jökull’ (Icelandic for glacier) with help from Jeremy Venditti, a professor from Simon Fraser University in Canada, and Doug Bonno, an undergraduate student at UW Tacoma. Also on site was another much larger boat, the USGS
New Ocean ICT Expo Planned for OI London
International London (OI London) is set to expand with the launch of the Ocean ICT Expo, a brand new parallel exhibition focused on the IT, communications and data solutions that form the technical foundation for modern oceanspace research and industry. Taking place in conjunction with the marine science and ocean technology event Oceanology International 2018 at ExCeL London on March 13-15, 2018, the all new Ocean ICT Expo has been developed as a showcase for innovative enabling technologies, including the latest satellite communication, data and networking services that facilitate safe
Monitoring Buoy Network Installed in UAE
A network of eight environmental monitoring buoys has been installed off the coast of Abu Dhabi, UAE by Ocean Scientific International Ltd. (OSIL). The 1.2m coastal buoys, installed in water depths ranging from 6-16m in various locations along the UAE coastline amid extensive coral formations and seagrass beds, are equipped with multiparameter sondes for water quality monitoring, and GPRS telemetry equipment. The robust buoys are designed for extended deployment in harsh coastal environments in a range of water depths. The rotationally molded PE hulls are foam filled to prevent the
Virginia Institute of Marine Science Orders Research Vessel
Virginia Institute of Marine Science of Gloucester Point, Va. awarded a contract to Meridien Maritime Reparation of Matane, Quebec to construct a 93-foot research vessel. JMS Naval Architects of Mystic, Conn. designed the research vessel to replace VIMS’s current vessel, the R/V Bay Eagle. The primary mission of the Institute’s fleet is to provide inshore and offshore work platforms for the support of fisheries related oceanographic research projects. The new vessel will be capable of conducting fisheries assessments of greater capacity, in deeper waters and with a larger science
OINA 2017 to Feature New ‘BlueTech’
fast approaching, exhibitors are preparing to unveil a host of new technology developments to the ocean science community. Taking place February 14-16 at the San Diego Convention Center in association with The Maritime Alliance, exhibition space at OINA 2017 is already over 90 percent booked. Teledyne Marine (booth #D20) will be out in force at OINA 2017 in San Diego CA. In addition to its full line of instruments, imaging, vehicles and interconnect products, the company will promote the newest product developments from across its brand portfolio including; the Teledyne Oceanscience rapidCAST underway
Preview: OI North America 2017 San Diego
Oceanology International North America: OI 2017 set to cover the full extent of marine science and ocean technology The first edition of Oceanology International North America (OINA), established from the well-known OI event in London, will make an impact within the ocean science and technology industries in San Diego, Calif. in February 2017. OINA is set to capture the full extent of the marine and ocean technology industries in North America. The event is the newest addition to the Oceanology International portfolio, with the flagship Oceanology International event in London
Engineers Expand the Window for Installing Monopiles
Longitude Engineering – a specialist marine engineering subsidiary of the LOC Group – working closely with Rampion and its contractors, has developed an analysis and modeling process to fully understand why large monopiles oscillate in relatively small wave heights; and to increase the operating window for their installation. Monopiles and turbines are increasing in size as wind farms move farther offshore. At the Rampion Offshore Wind Farm, which is currently under construction off the south coast of the U.K., the developer was concerned that these large structures
