Ocean Autonomy: Norway to the Fore
Marine autonomous systems working independently and in connected systems are fast becoming a growth sector within the ocean industry space, including the oil and gas industry.The emergence of new marine autonomous systems appears to be a weekly occurrence. As costs have reduced in numerous areas, from sensors to satellites, some of these systems are also coming within the grasps of ordinary citizens, as well as ocean scientists, looking to unlock the secrets of the deep.Part of the drive for these systems, in the oil and gas industry at least, is to reduce use of manned surface vessels, which are
Boaty McBoatface Completes First Antarctic Mission
The National Oceanography Center’s (NOC) autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) Autosub Long Range (ALR), known affectionately around the world as ‘Boaty McBoatface’, was recovered last month following its first under-ice mission beneath the Filchner Ice Shelf in West Antarctica.From January to February 2018, the AUV was deployed in the southern Weddell Sea during RV Polarstern cruise PS111 as part of the Filchner Ice Shelf System (FISS) Project – a collaboration involving leading U.K. research institutions including the NOC, British Antarctic Survey (BAS), Met Office Hadley Center
Aquabotix Unveils New Swarm USV/UUV
situations, including Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions and sophisticated, coordinated assaults through tracking, trailing and overwhelming targets. In addition to defense and security applications, SwarmDivers can be deployed in research, harbor management and oceanography.The key details of SwarmDiver are set out below:miniaturized – weighing just 1.7kg at a length of 75cmvertical dive capabilityability to operate as both a UUV (diving underwater) and a USV (on the surface)50 meter dive-deptheasily deployable and recoverablewireless data feedback upon
Kraken AUV Prequalified for Canada’s BCIP
the BCIP. This is yet another significant milestone in Kraken’s evolution to becoming a vertically integrated underwater robotics company.” The ThunderFish AUV is a marine robot designed for ultra high-resolution seabed imaging and mapping applications. It can be used for a wide range of oceanographic and military tasks including underwater surveys, environmental monitoring, habitat mapping, marine archaeology, inspection of submerged structures, searching for downed aircraft and naval mine countermeasures. ThunderFish carries an array of sensors and custom payload modules, including Kraken&rsq
UW’s New Research Vessel Ready for Work
The University of Washington School of Oceanography took delivery of the former R/V Aora last August in Hartlepool, England after purchasing the vessel from a private party. The vessel, renamed R/V Rachel Carson, underwent a drydock maintenance period at MacDuff Shipyard in Scotland and was transported to the Pacific Northwest via two cargo ships. Since the vessel’s arrival at UW on December 28, 2017, UW has been preparing and transforming the former fisheries research vessel into a capable Local Class oceanographic research vessel. R/V Rachel Carson's first research cruise starts
OSIL: Oil Spill Monitoring Buoys Fuel International Interest
Integrated systems manufacturers Ocean Scientific International Ltd (OSIL) reports high levels of interest in its oil spill monitoring buoys following several recent installations in the Middle East and exposure at the ocean technology and marine science exhibition Oceanology International. The buoy systems are designed to integrate a real time noncontact hydrocarbon sensor in the high visibility top frame design, which is equipped with a pulsed UV LED beam and optical photo-detector with on-board software to enable the buoys to detect oil spills on water autonomously and immediately
Expanded Underwater Robotics Ready for Oil Spills
Matt Toberman6, Dionisio Tudela1, Jüri Vain8, Emily Venables6. 1Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena (UPCT), 2University of Porto, Underwater Systems and Technology Laboratory (LSTS), 3University of Zagreb, Laboratory for Underwater Systems and Technologies (LABUST), 4University of Cyprus, Oceanography Centre, 5SASEMAR, Spanish Maritime Safety Agency, 6Irish Coast Guards, 7The Scottish Association for Marine Science - SAMS, 8Tallin University of Thechnology - TUT, 9University of Girona - UG, 10University of the Balearic Islands - UIB, 11Norges Teknisk-Naturvitenskatelige Universitet
The World’s Largest Ocean Garbage Patch is Growing Rapidly
The world’s largest heap of ocean garbage is growing at an alarming rate. The 600,000-square-mile collection of ocean plastic and trash floating halfway between California and Hawaii known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch now contains four to 16 times more plastic than previously estimated, with pollution levels increasing exponentially, new analysis reveals. It’s estimated some 1.8 trillion pieces of plastic weighing 80,000 metric tons are currently afloat in the area, and it is rapidly getting worse, according to a study published Thursday in the peer-reviewed journal
ADCPs: Action in OOI's Cabled Observatory
a change in pitch; this is the Doppler Effect. It tells how fast the current is moving and in what direction. 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
ASV Global to Supply USV to University of Southern Mississippi
to ASV Global for the provision of a C-Worker 5 Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV). The 18’ USV will be used for testing, training, and establishing procedures and protocols for use of the system by NOAA on future hydrographic programs. Monty Graham, Director of USM’s School of Ocean Science and Technology (SOST), said, “The C-Worker 5 from ASV Global will be a great addition to support USM’s growing capabilities in Unmanned Marine Systems Certification and our research toward improved mapping and charting in the Hydrographic Science Research Center.”
Globalstar Satellite Technology to Combat North Sea Pollution
includes an integrated GPS receiver, simplex transponder and motion sensor. This Internet of Things (IoT) solution allows researchers to accurately track drift movement using the Globalstar LEO (Low-Earth Orbit) satellite constellation. Using sophisticated modelling tools to analyse complex ocean currents at the surface, the team can study the movement of waste on the ocean. The University’s 3D computer simulation programmes use the data from the SPOT Trace devices, including depth and wave height, to understand and predict surface drift behaviour as well as how debris travels in the
Next Generation AutoNaut USV Unveiled
deployment system – for launch/recovery from ship or direct from slipway. An enhanced rudder system makes the USV even more maneuverable – able to keep station within a 25-meter radius. Finally, the 5-metre has additional space and power to allow for multiple sensor, including: MetOcean, ADCP, Passive Acoustic Monitoring, Surveillance and as a Communications Gateway. Pete Bromley, Technical Manager at AutoNaut, said, “We’ve learned a lot from all the missions conducted in the last year or so and the growing team we have here have brought some great ideas to
L3 OceanServer Unveils Iver PW AUV
L3 OceanServer announced its new Iver Precision Workhorse (Iver PW) autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV). The new Iver PW is the first in a family of highly capable commercial AUVs to address a wide variety of customer missions, including survey research and mapping, sub-surface security, and environmental monitoring. “Undersea missions are evolving, and L3 is uniquely positioned to develop military and commercial solutions using next-generation processing, autonomy and power technologies to enable new capabilities and missions,” said Daryl Slocum, General Manager of L3 OceanServer.
InSTREAM Project Characterizes and Models Turbulence
The recently completed InSTREAM project assessed fundamental differences in turbulent flow measured in the field, generated in a tank and simulated in a numerical model. To mitigate the risk and uncertainty associated with turbulent flows in tidal channels, developers often use tank experiments and numerical simulations to assess the power and loading performance of a turbine. However, it remains unclear if these controlled flows can be accurately scaled up to represent the natural turbulence present in tidal channels. Project Desciption The difficulty in translating
Forum Energy Technologies Launches Electric ROV Range
a new range of electric ROVs as confidence begins to return to a depressed market. The XLe Spirit is the first vehicle in the range with innovative features which will meet the expectations and requirements of operators.” The XLe Spirit will be displayed on Forum Technologies stand F400 at Oceanology International 2018, March 13-15, ExCel London
BMT Rolls Out New Big Data Product: BMT Deep
the performance of offshore assets,” said Soma Maroju, Product Development Lead for BMT Deep. “Using AI and machine learning we have been able to build advanced models that reinforce the platform’s capabilities. Couple this with our extensive global network of in-house naval architects, ocean engineers, data scientists and metocean consultants, we can deliver a robust platform that improves the design, operability and integrity of offshore assets.” Harnessing big data to deliver a clear picture, BMT Deep can store, manage, integrate, post-process and visualize vast data
Digital Ocean: Making Subsea Data More Easily Accessible
The digital ocean is a reality and U.K.-based digital communications marine technology firm Sonardyne International Ltd is one of the organizations driving innovation to enable the extension of electronic and communications connectivity into the subsea domain. Based on a presentation given by Tom Rooney, Lead Trainer at Sonardyne, at the Digital Ocean conference held in Galway, Ireland in June 2017, this article describes the current state of play in the subsea acoustics and optical communications technology field, presents examples of the many ways these technologies are being applied and considers
An Industry in Change
the right a balance between innovation and reliability to thrive in an increasingly competitive space. I spoke with two companies – an established adaptor and one of the most successful start-ups this decade – about how to thrive within the shifting landscape and what the future holds for the ocean technology industry. Since the mid-70s, RBR has been designing and manufacturing oceanographic equipment for use in a range of environments from the deep depths of the ocean’s abyss to the extreme climates of the polar regions, and all in between. Over the last 4 years, RBR have published
ATLAS MARIDAN to Offer AUV Rental Services
ATLAS MARIDAN ApS. of Rungsted Kyst (Denmark), a subsidiary of the German naval systems supplier ATLAS ELEKTRONIK, has launched an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) rental service. The opportunity to rent ATLAS ELEKTRONIK’s latest unmanned underwater technology shall support customers within the offshore oil and gas, renewable energy, UxO and naval markets. The AUV SeaCat has recently finalized its serial maturity process and concluded certifications covering a wide range of requirements for system robustness, environmental conditions, navigational accuracy and transport safety.
Real-time Mapping, Visualization in CARIS Onboard 2.0
over which files are processed. By creating up to four File Monitors, each with a unique filter and unique Process Model, a single installation of CARIS Onboard can process data from all sensors on a given survey platform. The official release date of CARIS Onboard 2.0 is March 13th, coinciding with Oceanology International 2018.
Unique Group Invests in Subsea Laser Scanning
Unique Group announced a further addition to its line of subsea technology with the addition of underwater laser scanners from Newton Labs to its equipment rental inventory. The underwater laser scanners provide images and 3D modelling of subsea structures and the seabed and are part of a wide range of products with scanning ranges out to 10 meters and resolutions to 0.01mm. With its most comprehensive in the world line of subsea scanners, Newton is the largest and oldest worldwide manufacturer of underwater laser scanners. The scanners are available for rental through the Unique
WiSub’s Universal AUV Connector
;s early career was based in the development, delivery and offshore operation of work-class remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROV) and related systems, where the limitations of underwater connectors can be readily observed. “Having used low-speed inductive modems as an ROV pilot during oceanographic science operations, I was convinced that pin-less connectors should be developed for the oil and gas industry as well, though it took another decade, a few changes of country, and the right timing before I took the leap to build a company that would deliver such solutions. Officially the
UK pupils set ultimate subsea STEM challenge
Industry body Subsea UK has launched a new initiative aimed at encouraging school pupils to consider a career at sea. The STEM Challenge, led by Subsea UK and supported by The Smallpeice Trust, will see teams of year nine students compete in a design-and-make challenge for the marine industries. The regional competitions kicked off this week at Falmouth Marine School with further events at the universities of Strathclyde (February 27), Southampton (March 6), and Newcastle (March 28). Schools will compete to design and build an ROV using Lego Mindstorms, a platform produced by Lego
OSIL Calibration Department in Demand
UK-based OSIL’s (Ocean Scientific International Ltd) in-house calibration department said it continues to experience high levels of demand, particularly for salinometer servicing and repairs from its global client base. OSIL are global representatives for Guildline salinometers, holding common components in stock to ensure a quick turnaround, and are ideally placed regarding calibration standards for conductivity and salinity as OSIL operates the IAPSO Standard Seawater service from within its facilities. OSIL provides support, calibrations and repairs for a wide range of hydrographic instrument
Meet the Future of Visualization and Mapping Sonars
environmental condition such as scour. A number of our customers have reported significant productivity gains when using real-time 3D technology included in offshore wind energy projects. These have included recent cable installation projects such as Race Bank inter-array installation with DeepOcean. In this project the real-time 3D output was invaluable in being able to both image the power cable as it was laid to ensure none of the vital cable properties were exceeded and additionally to record the as-laid position of the cable on the sea bed as the cable was installed. This removed any requirement
Glider-Based Ecosystem Study
On January 9, 2018, a post-doctoral researcher and undergraduate student of Dr. Grace Saba (Assistant Professor, Rutgers University, Center for Ocean Observing Leadership) deployed a Teledyne Webb Slocum Glider with an integrated ASL Environmental Sciences Inc. Acoustic Zooplankton Fish Profiler (AZFP) 38, 125 and 200 kHz instrument in the Terra Nova Bay (Ross Sea, Antarctica). The deployment lasted 3 weeks and the glider was recovered on January 31, 2018. The purpose of this deployment was to obtain mesoscale and sub-mesoscale measurements of hydrographic processes and
Wave Buoy Measurements on a Hexapod
MARIN has recently expanded its facilities with a hexapod. This system can be used to generate forced oscillations in six degrees of freedom, either on a standalone basis or under the carriage of one of our basins. It is a useful tool to assess the efficiency of anti-roll tanks, sloshing in liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanks, safety of cruise ship swimming pools or drop tests with a free-fall lifeboat from a moving platform. As the positioning system of the hexapod is very accurate, another useful application is the validation of measurement equipment. Recently, MARIN used it to evaluate the
Ocean Microstructure Glider Workshop Announced
Rockland Scientific and the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences announced a specialized training program for Rockland turbulence measurement systems that are integrated with ocean gliders. Ocean Microstructure Glider (OMG) 2018 will be hosted by the Mid-Atlantic Glider Initiative & Collaboration (MAGIC) at the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences St. Georges, Bermuda from May 28 to June 1. Classroom and field training will be optimized for both scientists and technicians and facilitated by instrument specialists from Rockland Scientific. Fees to attend OMG 2018 are $1
Expanded Waterfront for Oi18
Visitors to Oceanology International 2018 (Oi18) at ExCel, London (March 13th-15th ,2018), will once again be able to participate in a series of live product demonstrations from the event’s waterside exhibitor area on the Royal Victoria Dock. As one of the most popular attractions for Oceanology International visitors, this year’s dockside and on-water demo programme has been expanded and will now comprise daily demonstrations to offer an even more valuable experience for those attending, whilst allowing exhibitors to share their product’s effectiveness in a marine environment.
University of Vienna Acquires New Multibeam Equipment
A project to create 3D models of pile dwellings in Austrian lakes thousands of years ago has resulted in the acquisition by the University of Vienna of a multibeam solution supplied by MacArtney. The Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Archaeological Prospection and Virtual Archaeology is a research institute dedicated to the development of new techniques and methodological concepts for landscape archaeology. Its research program combines geophysics, aerial imaging, computer science and geomatics to develop efficient and universally applicable approaches for non-destructive detection, documentation
PicSea: A New Concept for Ocean Autonomy
fraction of the cost of other AUVs. Through PicSea, Durrant aims to make underwater data more accessible to those within the scientific community that lack access to large budgets or advanced technological resources. Durrant said, “There’s a very limited subset of people who not only want ocean data but can afford access to AUV technology. For example, I know a group of biologists who want to carry out lots of environmental surveys using AUVs, but their budgets just don’t allow for it. This sort of thing is widespread across the scientific community, and it’s something I am
Underwater Laser Mapping on the Move
Subsea technology companies Newton Research Labs Inc. and Sonardyne International Ltd, UK. have completed tests to integrate Newton Labs’ underwater laser scanners with Sonardyne’s acoustically-aided inertial navigation system for underwater vehicles, SPRINT-Mapper. The companies say the milestone paves the way for greater adoption by industry of mobile laser mapping technology to survey seafloor sites and subsea structures, and eliminates many of the challenges currently faced by users when attempting to configure advanced sensor technologies from different vendors prior to
WHOI Spins Off Tech Start-up EOM Offshore
On February 5, 2018, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) sold its majority ownership interest to EOM Offshore’s management team and investors while continuing to receive royalties under the existing exclusive licensing of its stretch hose technology. Rockland Trust Bank provided a line of credit to assist the change in ownership and help assure EOM Offshore’s continued financial strength. EOM Offshore is a mooring systems and component company based on technology developed by engineers at WHOI. The company was founded as a start-up in 2009 to commercialize fatigue-resistant
GD Mission Systems: Full-throttle Charge toward Autonomy
lot more. You have a stand-off distance that is tremendous, and you can do things persistently that would have been very hard to do with a man in the loop. We’ve taken some major strides in maturing the technologies so that now it’s gone from pretty good theory to real practice. From oceanography to inspections under the Polar ice cap, to pipeline monitoring, to ship hull inspection and searching for lost vessels, unique applications continue to emerge. Simply put, the technology is just getting better – and it’s getting better quick. Twenty years down the road my answer
Ocean Infinity Buys Its 9th HUGIN AUV
Ocean Infinity, the U.S. company currently searching for missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370, said it has grown its fleet of 6,000 meter rated Kongsberg HUGIN autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV). The latest purchased HUGIN vehicle, Ocean Infinity’s ninth, will be specifically configured to conduct under-ice surveys and features Kongsberg’s Highly Integrated Synthetic Aperture Sonar (HISAS). Other sensors include a Kongsberg EM2040 multibeam echosounder installed in an upward facing modular payload section for surveying the underside of the ice, as well as an
Smart Torque Tool Advances an Electric Future
A breakthrough in electric torque tool technology is set to further advance the capability of electric underwater robotic vehicles, says Saab Seaeye. The electric underwater e-robotic systems manufacturer has collaborated with Australia-based Total Marine Technology (TMT) to launch a new lightweight electric torque tool that is smart, light, simple to fit, fast to set up, has an advanced, high accuracy torque control system and can operate across the Saab Seaeye range of e-robotic vehicles, opening up new market opportunities. Considerable savings will come from using compact electric
Teledyne Releases CAN Bus Active Flying Lead Configurations
Teledyne Oil & Gas has added the CAN bus communication protocol to its Active Flying Lead product family. The subsea oil and gas industry has standardized to "fault tolerant" CAN bus communications for sensors and other subsea controls. This variation has a limited transmission distance for single node or sensor systems of only 40 meters. Teledyne has recently qualified three new configurations that extends the range of the CAN bus signal to up to 5,000 meters. The Active Flying Lead product line is characterized by integrating specialized electronics into qualified highly reliable
German Research Vessel Upgraded
Ranger 2 deep water acoustic tracking technology produced by Sonardyne International Ltd. has been installed on the Maria S. Merian, one of the most modern vessels in the German research fleet. Delivered through Sonardyne’s in-country agent, Scholz Ingenieur Büro GmbH, the system was chosen as a replacement for the vessel’s existing third-party Ultra-Short BaseLine (USBL) acoustic equipment to enable science teams to precisely track the position of deep-water science systems including unmanned robotic platforms and seafloor landers to beyond seven kilometers. Operated
ASV’s C-Worker 7 Goes to Work for Subsea 7
A 7-meter autonomous surface vessel (ASV) was recently deployed to support offshore services provider Subsea 7 during pipelay operations off the coast of Egypt. The C-Worker 7 vehicle manufactured by U.K. firm ASV Global was fitted with a survey suite comprising a multibeam echosounder and side scan sonar in order to carry out touchdown monitoring in support of the pipelay vessel Seven Antares. A custom payload frame was designed to house the survey suite specified for the mission. The modular frame slotted into the C-Worker 7’s moonpool to mount and deploy the sensors. Extensive
Coda Octopus Rolls Out New Real-time 3D Sonar
Coda Octopus Group, Inc. announced the launch of the first product within its fourth-generation range of sonars, the Echoscope4G Surface. The patented Coda Octopus Real Time 3D sonar is the world’s only commercially available real-time 3D sonar that enables vision, mapping and measurement in real time in low or zero visibility conditions underwater, the manufacturer said. This first product within its next-generation (4G) range, Echoscope4G Surface, is designed for nearly plug-and-play ease of use for shallow water operational needs not to exceed 20 meters water depth. The Surface
Real-time Sonar Fit onto US Navy Minehunting AUV
A real-time synthetic aperture sonar (SAS) system has been integrated and tested on board a U.S. Navy autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) that will perform minehunting duties for the Naval Undersea Warfare Center in Rhode Island. The AUV, a fully modular REMUS 600 manufactured by Kongsberg Maritime subsidiary Hydroid, was designed through funding from the Office of Naval Research to support Naval operations requiring extended endurance, increased payload capacity and greater operating depth, such as minehunting. The AquaPix MINSAS SAS, developed by Kraken Robotic Systems Inc.,
Downed US Navy Aircraft Found in Philippine Sea
pinger with the U.S. Navy’s towed pinger locator (TPL-25) system, which uses passive sensors to listen for the pinger's frequency. After poor weather conditions delayed the search efforts, the team was eventually able to deploy the TPL to optimal search depths of 3,000 feet above the ocean floor December 29, marking the aircraft's location, and then returning to port. The team will soon return to the site with a side-scan-sonar (SSS) and remote operated vehicle (ROV) to map the debris field and attach heavy lines for lifting the aircraft to the surface.
Erie Hack: The Start to the Smart Lake
Innovation has long been a part of life and work on the Great Lakes. The unique water resources of this region set the stage for technological advancement and continue to drive one of America’s most dynamic regional economies. Despite their essential role in our commerce, industry and entrepreneurship, the Lakes are consistently undervalued as an economic asset and catalyst of innovation. However, the systemic undervaluation of the Great Lakes has not gone unnoticed. The Cleveland Water Alliance (CWA), a collection of forward-thinking research institutions, industry leaders
US Exits Search for ARA San Juan
The U.S. Navy said it has begun to wind down operations as part of the international search for the still-missing Argentine submarine A.R.A. San Juan that vanished in the South Atlantic in mid November. The U.S. joined the Argentina-led multinational search efforts within 24 hours of learning of the missing submarine on November 17, and is now drawing down, having twice swept the search areas assigned by the Argentine Navy with advanced sensors. U.S. planning and analytical specialists will continue to support the efforts through data analysis. At its height, U.S.
New C-DRONE for Undisturbed Wave Spectrum Measurements
During trials the correct measurement of metocean conditions is crucial for reproducibility, performance prediction and to avoid disputes between different stakeholders. MARIN believes its new C-DRONE can make it much easier to obtain accurate measurement data. MARIN has several systems in use to measure wave height and period. The most direct and accurate way to measure the wave characteristics is the use of a wave buoy. Yet, a buoy is rarely requested during trials because the retrieval process requires a separate support boat that can easily maneuver and pick up the buoy. And this is often
JW Fishers Debuts New Marine Magnetometer
. The new “auto tuning” feature greatly simplifies set-up when operating in different locations. This will allow the user to quickly tune the magnetometer without having to disassemble and manually configure the device. With the optional altimeter, the towfish distance from the ocean bottom is displayed on the LCD screen. Additionally, the towfish can be separated into two parts so that it easily fits into a watertight Pelican case for storage and transportation. Every new Proton 5 has been fully factory and field tested and is almost ready to operate
Moore Foundation Awards $3 Mln to WHOI
Scientists and engineers at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) will receive a two-year, $3 million award from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation to transform how the oceanographic community develops and deploys technology ranging from individual sensors to comprehensive, round-the-clock observing systems. By integrating new ideas and exploring new partnerships, WHOI researchers aim to foster an environment that reduces the cost of ocean science and engineering and that enables more flexible ocean observing systems that can rapidly incorporate new technologies to meet evolving science
Riptide Expands UUV Payload
The flexibility and ease of payload integration offered by Riptide’s UUV product line was recently demonstrated by the rapid integration of a new sonar and a WiFi data system. Riptide, who recently participated in a US SOCOM effort to evaluate diver assistance aids, integrated a Klein 3500 Combined Side Scan and Interferometric Sonar into a Riptide 1MP 1 Man Portable 7.5” (190mm) diameter UUV/AUV in less than four working days. This rapid integration was followed by successful field demonstrations. According to Riptide, the Klein 3500 is an excellent example of the
Optimizing the Tides
As long as the moon continues to orbit the earth, there will be energy in the tides. This reliability is just one of the many advantages of tidal energy, and as sea levels rise, it will become even more relevant as the effect of climate change becomes a reality. In the U.K. alone, the government estimates that wave and tidal combined has the potential to deliver 30 – 50GW equating to around 20 percent of the country’s current electricity needs. As investment and innovation begin to surge across the sector, Dutch-based tidal energy leader Tocardo joins with Nortek to help optimize the
Finding Monsters on the Ocean Surface
The study of extreme wave events in the ocean has become a popular area of research in recent years. Aside from seafarers, extreme waves impact coastal communities and are of great interest to marine renewable energy companies. This is particularly prevalent in the face of coastal erosion, rising sea levels and uncertainty in how the wave climate will change in a warming world. However, much of the current research is based on modeling and experiments. Extreme wave events – including storm waves, rogue waves, storm surges and tsunamis – are rare, and as such are difficult to observe and
Aquabotix Debuts New Integra AUV/ROV
UUV Aquabotix Ltd. debuts its second-generation hybrid underwater vehicle, the Integra AUV/ROV (autonomous underwater vehicle/remotely operated vehicle). Single-person deployable, portable and lithium ion battery-powered, the Integra AUV/ROV allows users to conduct multiple underwater missions, while providing a cost-efficient alternative to deploying separate AUVs and ROVs for individualized tasks. The Integra AUV/ROV can be configured with multiple sensors and maneuvered by an easy-to-use intuitive platform accessible from any web-enabled device. The vehicle is designed for use across
N-Sea Develops UXO Detection System
Subsea IMR provider N-Sea has launched Magsense, a vertical gradiometer array specifically designed for highly accurate Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) campaigns. Developed in-house by N-Sea, the system has been designed to collect and record high resolution data in magnetically noisy subsea environments and hostile conditions, delivering improved accuracy, efficiency and safety in the detection of UXO. “Specifically designed for wide seabed survey, with highly accurate UXO target detection and accurate modeling, [Magsense] is suitable for use in all environments,” said N-Sea
Around the World in 49 Days
, Coville reduced the previous record for solo global circumnavigation by eight days. That record had stood for 12 years. In fact, Coville had previously made three unsuccessful attempts to break it. For two weeks, Coville’s route headed south from France down the Atlantic and far into the Southern Ocean. There he picked up strong winds called the Roaring Forties. In less than three weeks, Coville sailed clockwise around Antarctica keeping the Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean à gauche. After 32 days of sailing, Coville finally turned north into the Atlantic, headed to his homeland and the finish
Parallel Events Add Depth to Oceanology International
A series of complementary showcases are set to make 2018’s Oceanology International the most comprehensive forum in the event’s 49 year history. The Oceanology International 2018 exhibition and conference, will runs from March 13 to 15 at ExCel, London, as organizer Reed Exhibitions looks to expand the event’s remit. The 24th edition of this biennial global forum will spotlight technological developments including robotics, advanced sensor technology and autonomous systems. The conference program, meanwhile, will include 11 free-to-attend technical tracks, all chaired by
Valeport MIDAS SVX2 Selected by Saab Kockums
Oceanographic, hydrographic and hydrometric instrumentation manufacturer Valeport said it has secured a contract to supply four customized MIDAS SVX2 probes to Saab Kockums. The MIDAS SVX2 is an advanced probe, combining sound velocity with salinity and density technologies to provide a versatile instrument which delivers 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
Hydrographic Survey Vessel Converted for Autonomous Ops
ASV Global said it has converted a 26ft hydrographic survey launch to enable it to operate autonomously using the ASView control system, while maintaining its ability to operate in a conventional manned mode. The launch, which is part of the Canadian Coast Guard’s (CCG) fleet dedicated to the survey operations of the Canadian Hydrographic Service (CHS), will be used as a test platform for unmanned survey work. This delivery to the CHS marks ASV Global’s 10th unmanned conversion of a customer vessel using the ASView system. ASView enables the launch to follow planned
K-MATE Autonomy Controller Put to the Test
Supported by KONGSBERG experts and technology, the GEBCO-NF Alumni Team, one of 19 semi-finalist teams competing in the $7 million Shell Ocean Discovery XPRIZE competition, has completed technology readiness tests of its unique unmanned surface vessel (USV) / autonomous underwater vessel (AUV) concept and associated combination of communications hardware and software to process and transmit data remotely. The test event was held on the fjord outside KONGSBERG’s factory in Horten, Norway on Thursday, November 23. All Shell Ocean Discovery XPRIZE teams will hold testing site visits around
Researchers Set out to Study the Southern Ocean
A team from Newcastle University has arrived in Antarctica this week as part of a major new research project to measure the rate of uptake of heat and CO2 in the Southern Ocean. Dr. Miguel Morales Maqueda, Alicia Mountford and Liam Rogerson from Newcastle University have joined the ORCHESTRA research project (Ocean Regulation of Climate by Heat and Carbon Sequestration and Transports) to carry out sea surface measurements using a Wave Glider. Fitted with a GBS antennae – a highly accurate GPS system – the glider will survey the ocean surface, measuring properties such as
Kraken Sets out to Advance Offshore Digitalization
Oil and gas companies are no stranger to big data, technology and digital innovation, but Canada based marine technology company Kraken Robotics Inc. believes the industry has yet to take full advantage of the opportunities that derive from using big data and robotic technology in a meaningful way. A single drilling rig can generate terabytes of data every day, yet only a small fraction of it is used for decision-making, it said. Now, under a contract recently awarded to Kraken subsidiary, Kraken Robotic Systems Inc., the company will develop underwater sensors and robotics in order to
Unique Tech Helps Monitor Underwater Volcano
Helping the Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO) and both Canarian Universities to closely monitor the underwater volcano Tagoro off the coast of El Hierro Island in the Canary archipelago, RTsys has designed a combined seismic and acoustic system especially for the project. RTsys designed a system combining three geophones – two pointing horizontally and one vertically – to measure ground movement in the area. A hydrophone was added to record the noise caused by the ground or by bubbles in the water formed by vibrations. Submerged in October 2016, the
