NSF Grant to Enhance Satellite-derived Bathymetry Technology
Foundation (NSF) to enhance and automate multiple techniques for deriving seafloor depth measurements from optical satellite imagery. The ‘Project Trident’ research seeks to transform existing satellite derived bathymetry (SDB) techniques by leveraging machine learning and computer vision technology to enable accurate depth retrieval in variable water conditions.If successful, TCarta said, these enhanced bathymetric techniques will have positive impacts on operations related to oil and gas exploration and production, coastal infrastructure engineering, environmental monitoring, and geointelligence
Fugro Advances Bathymetric Lidar Mapping Capabilities
Fugro is introducing a new bathymetric lidar system that delivers industry-leading depth penetration and point densities for nearshore and coastal mapping. Known as RAMMS (Rapid Airborne Multibeam Mapping System), the field-proven technology promises to deliver an efficient and cost-effective solution, dramatically improving upon other bathymetric lidar mapping capabilities.“Traditional bathymetric lidar technology requires customers to compromise between price, depth penetration and data density,” said Ed Saade, president of Fugro USA and regional director for Fugro’s Marine Division
Port of Antwerp Tests Autonomous Sounding Boat
Port of Antwerp has reached a new milestone with the introduction of a fully automatic sounding boat that employs unique technology. The vessel, named the Echodrone, is a prototype that is currently being developed to supplement the other operational sounding boat, the Echo.Both of these carry out measurements of the water depth everywhere in the port so as to guarantee safe passage for shipping. The cloud-based technology – a first – has been developed in partnership between the Port Authority and dotOcean and is only one of the many initiatives being taken by the Port Authority in the
Students Face Off in Underwater Competition
, Baltimore County; École de Technologie Supérieure; Texas A&M University; Washington State University; University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez (Puerto Rico); San Diego Robotics 101; University of Alberta (Canada); Ohio State University; and Wroclaw University of Science and Technology (Poland).Other U.S. teams included: Amador Valley High School; Beaver Country Day School; California Institute of Technology; California State University, Fullerton; California State University, Los Angeles; Cornell University; Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University; Georgia Institute of Technology
Heijermans Joins Boskalis Management Board
in the offshore industry, having recently served as CEO and board member of subsea services provider DeepOcean. Prior to that, he held various senior management positions at companies including Helix Energy Solutions and Shell. Heijermans has a civil engineering degree from Delft University of Technology
US Destroyer Wreckage Discovered off Remote Alaskan Island
, the ship’s shorn stern was lost but not forgotten. Finding it was a primary goal of the July mission to document the underwater battlefield off Kiska. In addition to NOAA and Scripps, the project was supported by Project Recover, a public-private partnership that uses 21st-century science and technology and archival and historical research to find the final underwater resting places of Americans missing in action since WWII.New tools, partnerships aid search in arduous conditionsHistorians have been able to study battles on Kiska and Attu, the Aleutian islands that were attacked and occupied by
Circulation Tool Helps Operators Cut Rig Time
and safest low cost means of recovering from most stuck pipe senarios, will be on display at the ONS Conference in Stavanger, from 27-30 August. Members of Churchill’s highly experienced team will discuss the simplicity of the company’s tools and demonstrate why Churchill’s technology has the widest operating envelope in class
MTR’s “Top 10” Ocean Influencers
Out today is the 13th Annual “MTR100”, Marine Technology Reporter’s profiling of 100 leading companies, people and technologies in the subsea space. This year for the first time the editorial staff, with input from the global industry, delivers a listing of the “Top 10 Ocean Influencers.” Marine Technology Reporter’s Top 10 are profiled in short below; for the full editorial see the July/August 2018 edition at: https://magazines.marinelink.com/nwm/MarineTechnology/201807/No. 1Yohei Sasakawa, Chairman, Nippon FoundationYohei Sasakawa, Chairman, Nippon
Aleron’s New Hybrid ROV Goes to Work
sum investment in research and development, the new hybrid TRACKROV system has been mobilized to carry out unexploded ordnance identification (UXO) surveys for a major renewables project in The Netherlands.Aberdeenshire-based ROV and tooling engineering firm Aleron Subsea said its new TRACKROV technology has secured its first contract win to support unexploded clearance work for a wind farm route clearance project in the region.The high-tech TRACKROV vehicle has been built to operate on the seabed for extended periods and in currents of up to three knots. By designing it as a heavy flotation free
Seabed Geosolutions Wins GoM Extensions
on the seabed. These data are used for detailed reservoir characterization, monitoring of the impact of production and detection of potential geohazards. With its global footprint, Seabed Geosolutions is one of the largest seabed geophysical data acquisition service providers with the broadest range of technology solutions for projects in water depths up to 3,000 meters
Kraken Bags AquaPix Sonar Contract
. Delivery is expected in the fourth quarter of 2018.Karl Kenny, Kraken President and CEO, said, “This is the third AquaPix contract from this customer. The reason this customer has once again selected AquaPix is because it is the industry leading sonar system, which provides military grade technology enabling superior 3D seabed imaging, faster data processing and a lower cost than competing sonars. With the increasing focus on AUV technology, Kraken’s line of underwater sensors are well-positioned in this high-priority, high-potential growth area. We thank our customer for their ongoing
McDermott Pipelayer Set for Major Refit
, and associated onboard multijoint factory, modifications to the ship’s structures, and the removal and replacement of the equipment and commissioning.“We have been working together for some time to develop the concept of this classleading integrated pipelay vessel, based on innovative IHC technology. The project showcases IHC’s ability to combine our expertise to create integrated, customized solutions for our customers,” said Royal IHC’s Executive Director Services, Diederik van Rijn, who signed the contract with McDermott’s Global Vice President Marine Assets &
Seatronics Doubles Its Stock of R2 Sonic Multibeam Systems
, low power consumption of 50W and the elimination of separate topside processors make the Sonic 2024 very well suited for small survey vessel, ROV or AUV operations.Phil Middleton, Group Managing Director, Seatronics, said, “Our customers demand high performance yet reliable and cost-effective technology, the R2Sonic 2024 MBES system ticks all these boxes hence our confidence to invest significantly in the product range. Our continually expanding fleet of subsea visualization and mapping technologies is unrivalled within our industry. I’d like to thank Andy Williamson of Underseasense, the
Fugro to Conduct Marine Lidar Bathymetry Survey in Australia
the future.Fugro is utilizing airborne lidar bathymetry (ALB) sensors to conduct the work, capturing data along the shore to depths of around 30 meters. The ALB systems enable safe and efficient survey without impacting the environment or disrupting activities on the ground or water. The specialized technology was developed in Australia and is supported by ongoing research and development programs.“Playing a key role in developing the capabilities and providing local personnel needed to collect data in the marine estate, Fugro has a strong track record in using airborne lidar bathymetry and other
Enpro Subsea Supports First Oil for LLOG Exploration in Gulf of Mexico
In June, LLOG Exploration delivered first production from its Crown and Anchor field in the Gulf of Mexico. This milestone also represents a major achievement for Aberdeen based Enpro Subsea as it is the first of multiple deployments by LLOG of its patented Flow Access Module (FAM) technology.The FAM technology was selected by LLOG as it fully aligns with the company's strategic approach to fast track, capital efficient subsea tiebacks. FAM essentially creates an enhanced production ‘USB port’ within the jumper envelope. This enables the operator to use standard subsea Xmas Trees
Cougar ROV Helps Cut Costs of Anode Repairs
replacement system capable of handling anodes weighing up to 40 kg and in lengths up to 1,100 mm – and can be adapted for any size of anode.“It not only saves diving operations and increases personnel safety significantly, but a Cougar electric system substitutes very expensive alternative technology solutions based on hydraulics,” Brix concluded
Autonomous Vehicle Maps the Arctic Seafloor
, a national effort is underway to improve the charts to ensure safety, but short summers, limited good weather, remote locations and the vast amount of seafloor to survey makes for a daunting task.Now, as the capabilities of autonomous survey systems are rapidly advancing, developing autonomous system technology and procedures is a key piece of Coast Survey’s autonomous systems strategy, which ultimately targets more efficient and effective data acquisition.The robotic boat that was deployed on this summer’s voyage, UNH’s Bathymetric Explorer and Navigator (BEN), increased the survey
