Intruder Alert: Ports Face a Range of Underwater Threats
beneath the surface. The most widely deployed technology for this purpose is the intruder detection system (IDS), which uses high-frequency active sonar to detect the presence of divers, SDVs, and increasingly small UUVs. Products such as the Forcys Sentinel, AquaShield from DSIT Solutions, and Norbit’s GuardPoint offer integrated solutions that combine sonar sensors, signal processing software, command-and-control interfaces, and even underwater loudhailers.These systems are typically arranged as networks of sonar nodes positioned along harbor entrances, piers, and critical infrastructure
HydroSurv Delivers REAV-25 USV to Skanska Norway
. Supporting the successful delivery of these projects is Skanska’s in-house survey and inspection unit, where the REAV-25 will play a key role in strengthening inland hydrographic survey operations.The USV will be primarily deployed to deliver high-resolution bathymetric surveys using a Norbit iWBMS multibeam echo sounder, supporting the design, construction and long-term maintenance of infrastructure located over, under and alongside the water. The acquisition reflects Skanska’s growing adoption of uncrewed technologies to improve data availability, operational efficiency and safety
NORBIT Introduces WINGHEAD X Sonar
Building on the success of its WINGHEAD sonar platform, NORBIT has introduced the latest addition to its multibeam WINGHEAD X.The WINGHEAD X multibeam sonar delivers 0.5° beamwidth resolution and combines all the features of the WINGHEAD series into one adaptable system. Built on NORBIT’s innovative modular platform, it offers complete operational flexibility, allowing users to configure their sonar to meet specific survey applications and hydrographic requirements.The company offers Long Range or Standard configurations, Integrated GNSS/INS or Non-Integrated options, and software features
Exail Expands Baltic Sea Presence with DriX H-8 Delivery to Orlen Petrobaltic
capabilities and ability to operate in challenging offshore conditions, the DriX H-8 offers a safer alternative to traditional crewed vessels.Orlen Petrobaltic will deploy the DriX H-8 in the Baltic Sea to support offshore platform activities. For this project, the DriX H-8 will be equipped with a Norbit B51S multibeam echosounder (MBES), integrated on the platform for the very first time. This new configuration provides Orlen Petrobaltic with hydrographic survey capabilities, enhancing data quality and efficiency while operating in the Baltic Sea’s demanding conditions
Unique Group’s USV Wins UK Ports Innovation Award 2025
nominated Unique Group for the award in recognition of its advancements in subsea robotics and hydrographic surveying. The committee was impressed by the company’s deployment of the Uni-Mini Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) in Western Australia, the first commercial project globally to utilize the Norbit iWBMS multibeam sonar for shallow-water survey applications, demonstrating capability in complex marine environments.The Uni-Mini has also proven its capabilities closer to home in the UK. Earlier this year, Unique Group successfully deployed the vessel at Blenheim Palace, carrying out high-precision
Fugro’s Blue Eclipse® USV Makes Commercial Debut
facing upper camera, tooling camera, Camblock with dual strobesManipulator: can be installed with 3, 4, 5 and 7 function, up to 20kg lifting capacity depending on configurationSonar: Blueview M900-2250-130-Mk2Survey Sensors: SprintNAV mini DVL/INS (possible upgrade to SprintNAC300), Valeport UV-SVP, Dual Norbit WBMS (wideband multibeam sonar), Sonardyne WSM 6+ or Sonardyne Nano CP+Inspection sensor: CP+ QuickVision®
Green Marine Poised for Growth Alongside Potential UK Marine Energy Surge
Marine UK recently announced a seven-figure investment in a new Subsea Services Department, supporting the UK’s offshore wind and marine energy sectors. Backed by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), the package includes state-of-the-art subsea equipment from Rovtech (Seatronics), Sonardyne, Norbit, and others—positioning the company to serve a subsea operations and maintenance (O&M) market expected to exceed USD$357 million (£270 million) by 2030, according to Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult (OREC).With a combination of experience, technical capability, and strategic investment
NORBIT: Successful U.S. Testing of GuardPoint Intruder Detection Sonars
In December 2024, Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division (NSWC PCD) and NORBIT successfully conducted operations involving their GuardPoint 70 and GuardPoint 100 Intruder Detection Sonars. As underwater threats continue to evolve that focus more on underwater drones and Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV) of all sizes, NORBIT sonars were tasked accordingly. Over the weeks-long testing, NORBIT sonars successfully detected and tracked multiple AUV form factors through many range and depth scenarios.With the GuardPoint systems deployed, data was recorded and used under the conditions of
Green Marine UK Bolsters Subsea Services Unit with Major Investment
announced a seven-figure capital investment in a new Subsea Services Department targeting the U.K.’s offshore wind sector.The company expansion, boosted by financial backing from HIE (Highlands and Islands Enterprise), includes the purchase of subsea technology from Rovtech (Seatronics), Sonardyne, Norbit, Voyis, Tritech, Digital Edge Subsea, EIVA and a range of other sensors.The Subsea Services Department, expected to officially launch in late spring 2025, will provide in-house turnkey solutions and data, with new services to include GVI (General Visual Inspection), 3D survey incorporating real time
February 2026
