Wallace Joins Rovco as CTO
U.K.-based subsea company Rovco has appointed Dr. Iain Wallace o its senior management team as chief technology officer (CTO). A former technical lead for the European Space Agency, Wallace will drive the development of a real-time 3D vision system for ROVs and AUVs. He will also explore how artificial intelligence can be used to solve asset integrity issues by extracting actionable information from traditional video survey data. As CTO, he will enhance Rovco’s underwater photogrammetric 3D modeling capabilities utilizing the latest simultaneous location and mapping (SLAM)
University of Gothenburg Selects HUGIN AUV
The University Of Gothenburg has chosen Kongsberg Maritime’s HUGIN autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) to expand Sweden’s capabilities in the field of marine research using unmanned platforms. The HUGIN, which will be funded by grants from the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation and managed by a project team with representatives from the University of Gothenburg, Chalmers University of Technology and Stockholm University, will be recognized as a national asset for marine research projects around Sweden and further afield. The University of Gothenburg has chosen a HUGIN configuratio
The Autonomous Future of Seabed Mapping
just the guidance. “We are passionate about all aspects of seabed mapping and about using the very best technology.” Autonomy in Seabed Mapping 4D Ocean believes that autonomous solutions are far more efficient than traditional methods of mapping. Autonomous surface vehicles (ASVs), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) can be deployed from almost anywhere, with state-of-the-art guidance systems which make for better survey progress, and fewer infill lines. ASVs are not constrained by harbors, so transit times are much reduced, and
SeeByte Wins Belgian Navy Contract
Belgian Navy buys 10 licenses of SeeByte’s SeeTrack software for its AUV fleet SeeByte, creator of smart software for unmanned maritime systems, said it has sold 10 SeeTrack licenses, including personnel training, to the Belgian Navy. SeeTrack will be integrated onto its AUV fleet which will be deployed for Mine Counter Measures (MCM). The software package includes additional specialist modules designed for mine countermeasure (MCM) operations, SeeByte said. These include Automatic Target Recognition (ART), Change Detection Tool, Performance Analysis Training Tool (PATT) and
BluHaptics, J2 Subsea Forge Sales Partnership
BluHaptics’ soon to be launched software for subsea robotics operations to be available through J2 Subsea BluHaptics, a Seattle-based software company developing new technology for augmented robotics, and J2 Subsea, an Acteon company and global supplier of subsea tooling and services, have formed a sales and distribution partnership for BluHaptics’ software solution for underwater manipulator arms – its first commercially available product due for launch in July 2017. Traditionally focused on subsea tooling (hardware), J2 Subsea will incorporate BluHaptics’
Hydro Group Inks Sales Deal with IMCA Electronics
Aberdeen-headquartered subsea cable and connector specialist Hydro Group plc informs it has increased its global presences through a partnership with Turkish firm IMCA Electronics. Complementing Hydro Group’s cable and connection solutions, IMCA offers a range of subsystems and components for highly demanding technical applications on land, sea and air. Hydro Group said the partnership will aid its customer support in Turkey and help develop business opportunities within the region. Additionally, it will extend the services which IMCA currently offers to subsea high
New Heavyweight Torpedo Enters Final Development
A new torpedo design being developed under the Artémis program, which aims to equip all French Navy nuclear submarines with new high-performance heavyweight torpedoes, has propelled into its final development phase with the recent completion of a successful round of test firing off the Mediterranean coast. The F21 torpedo is being developed by European naval defense and marine renewable energies technology company DCNS, who performed the qualification firing in a secured maritime area under the authority of program leader Direction Générale de l’Armement (DGA)
Tech File: The Apium Data Diver
The Data Diver is a new type of vehicle: a hand launched gps enabled boat that doubles as a motorized profiling system. With only two moving parts, the vehicles travel at up to 4 knots, reversing motor direction to dive vertically up to 100 meters. Apium developed these vehicles to study swarm control algorithms to perfect the simple and intuitive control of groups. With this swarming ability and the company’s rugged “drive and dive” vehicle architecture, new types of distributed data collection are possible. Apium is currently developing a product based upon this technology, with
Canyon Offshore Wins Wind Farm Trenching Work
grid cables on the wind farm which will have been laid onto the seabed by Siem Offshore Contractors. Canyon said it will use jetting and cutting methodology with its Jet Trencher, T1200 and its hard ground trencher, i-Trencher. Both systems, together with two work class remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), will be deployed from a single support vessel, the chartered Grand Canyon I, with operations commencing Q4 2018. Management of the operations will be provided from Canyon Offshore Limited’s Aberdeen base.
IMarEST Supports Research into Collaborative Autonomous Fleets
Engineering, Science & Technology (IMarEST) has awarded its Laurie Prandolini Research Fellowship of AU$14,000 to Fletcher Thompson toward his PhD research project, Project FOX (Fleet Operations and eXpeditions), which aims to “establish distributed intelligence into an autonomous marine vehicle fleet to exhibit collaborative behaviors.” Thompson holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Naval Architecture, and is a PhD candidate at the Australian Maritime College of the University of Tasmania. Greg Hellessey from the IMarEST’s Victoria Branch said that Thompson&rsq
Seabed Geosolutions Wins Brazil Survey Work
Fugro said its joint venture with CGG has secured a contract from Petrobras for a 3D ocean bottom node (OBN) survey in the Brazilian Santos Basin. The seven month contract awarded to the survey firms’ joint venture Seabed Geosolutions is valued at around $90 million and is scheduled to commence at the end of the fourth quarter of 2017 or early 2018, Fugro said. According to Seabed Geosolutions CEO, Stephan Midenet, the OBN survey is the “industry’s largest ever” and will span more than 1,600 square kilometers. Midenet added that Seabed Geosolution
Liquid Robotics Names Nightengale CFO
Caryn Nightengale, former Director of Corporate Development for Boeing Defense, Space & Security (BDS), has transitioned from her role at Boeing to join Liquid Robotics as Chief Financial Officer. In her new position, Caryn is responsible for the financial management, information technology, contracts and Global Trade Controls (GTC) departments. She will report directly to Gary Gysin, President and CEO. Nightengale has a background in corporate development, investment banking and financial management. Her career focus has been leading companies through complex organizational transformation
L3 Acquires Open Water Power, Inc.
L3 Technologies has acquired Open Water Power, Inc., the Somerville, Mass. based developer of high-energy-density undersea power generation technologies for use by unmanned undersea vehicles (UUVs) and other maritime platforms. The business will be renamed L3 Open Water Power and will be integrated into L3’s Sensor Systems business segment. “The acquisition of Open Water Power aligns with L3’s disciplined growth strategy by adding an important new technology to our portfolio in the growing UUV market,” said Michael T. Strianese, L3’s chairman and chief
WHOI’ O’Hara Selected for NASA Astronaut Program
at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. She came to WHOI in 2009, initially as an engineer working on mechanical system design, systems engineering and naval certification for the project to upgrade the human-occupied submersible Alvin. Most recently, she worked with the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) Jason Operations Group as an engineer and seagoing mechanical technician and data processor, and contributed to a variety of subsea system development projects within WHOI that included development of novel underwater vehicles to explore extreme deep sea environments. She has participated
Teledyne Optech Environmental Monitoring In Focus
Coastal Zone Mapping and Imaging Lidar System (CZMIL) has been a critical rapid environmental assessment tool for both natural and man-made disasters Teledyne Optech’s Coastal Zone Mapping and Imaging Lidar (CZMIL) system is a critical rapid environmental assessment tool for monitoring natural and manmade disasters. From detecting sewage pipe leaks, mapping oil slicks and measuring coastline changes after hurricanes, to counting underwater debris in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, CZMIL identifies and monitors oceanic environmental changes, especially in emergency scenarios. At
Statoil Decision on Castberg Field in late 2017
Plans final investment decision regarding the Arctic Johan Castberg oilfield to be made towards end of 2017 * In January Statoil said Castberg decision would come during the second half of 2017 * Investment seen at NOK 49 billion ($5.78 billion) between 2017 and 2024 * Field size estimated at 450-650 mln barrels of oil equivalent * Says Castberg operation will be supported by a supply and helicopter base in Hammerfest and an operations organisation in Harstad * Says recruitment of offshore personnel from Finnmark county is also prioritised *
GoM Rigs Evacuated ahead of Storm Cindy
Facing incoming Tropical Storm Cindy, offshore oil and gas operators in the Gulf of Mexico have begun evacuating platforms and rigs as the storm moves north-westward toward the U.S. Gulf Coast. Data from offshore operator reports submitted to the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) as of 11:30 CDT today indicate that personnel have been evacuated from a total of 40 production platforms, or 5.43 percent of the 737 manned platforms in the Gulf of Mexico. Personnel have been evacuated from one rig non-dynamically positioned (DP) rig, equivalent to 6.67 percent of
US Coast Guard Shipwreck Found – 100 Years Later
confirmed the location of McCulloch’s remains. Working off the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary’s research vessel Shearwater, the multi-agency science team from NOAA, National Park Service, and Coast Guard Dive Lockers Alameda and San Diego, deployed a VideoRay remotely operated vehicle to survey and characterize the shipwreck. Coast Guard 11th District cutters Halibut and Blacktip provided vessel support. Cameras mounted on the remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) revealed McCulloch on the seabed lying on its port side. The vessel’s wooden hull planking
Kraken Wins Repeat AquaPix Contract
Systems Inc. has been awarded a repeat contract valued at over C$400,000 (US$296,000) by a leading European defense contractor. Kraken will supply and integrate its AquaPix Miniature Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Sonar and Real-Time SAS Signal Processor on the customer’s autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV). Delivery is expected in Q3, 2017. AquaPix is designed for operation on AUVs, manned and unmanned surface vessels and towed platforms. The modular system uses the latest electronics, transducer arrays and signal processing software optimized for the demanding size, weight, power and
Fugro’s Newest Survey Vessel Goes to Work
, 3D high resolution seismic and environmental sampling and shallow geotechnical operations. An increased level of weather tolerance will ensure a reliable operational program. Specialized equipment enables sampling in water depths of up to 3,500 meters and a permanent autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) hangar houses a Kongsberg Hugin 1000 autonomous underwater vehicle. The vessel can host a multitude of remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) platforms and the specially designed hull form and propulsion systems ensure acoustically quiet and economical running at higher than standard survey
