Fiber Optic Sensing and Mining an Ocean of Data

Fiber optic sensing is opening up vast new areas of research and data gathering potential, not least across our oceans, where existing cables could offer a new global sensing network. Elaine Maslin reports.Criss crossing between our nations, across channels and between continents are a multitude of cables – some 120 million km of them. Some are pretty old (the first international submarine cable was laid across the Channel, between the UK and France, in 1850).

Ransomware: The IT Danger on the Horizon

Two decades into the 21st century, we’re seeing a growing and pernicious threat to global information security: ransomware. Even non-technical folk have loosely heard of it, but the broader implications haven’t yet penetrated the public consciousness. In different industries, that general lack of awareness could be a big problem—and the maritime sector is a good example.Ransomware hits at the confluence…

Almarin Updates Balizamar Buoy Range with Modular Design

Almarin launched the new EVO buoys, the evolution of Balizamar buoys. The Balizamar EVO buoys go one step further: their structure is made up of rotomolded polyethylene modular components, enhancing visibility and lowering cost maintenance. The inner structure is made of galvanized steel by immersion and the top mark is constructed of stainless steel. The hull is rotomolded filled with closed-cell EPS foam to ensure buoyancy.

$10.5m Funding for CorPower Wave Energy Tech

CorPower Ocean announced the award of $10.5m in new funding for it’s wave energy tech innovation, a funding round led by Midroc New Technology, with additional investment from ALMI Invest Greentech, EIT InnoEnergy and a group of private investors. CorPower Ocean’s Wave Energy Converters (WECs) are inspired by the pumping principles of the human heart. According to the company, advanced control technology allows large amounts of energy to be harvested using small…

AI- and Solar-powered Autonomous Ship Mayflower Launched

A new Mayflower has been launched in Plymouth, 400 years after its historic namesake set sail from southwest England to America.The new vessel won't be carrying pilgrim settlers across the Atlantic. In fact, it won't hold any crew or passengers at all. The sleek AI- and solar-powered trimaran is autonomy level five, meaning it can operate independently with no human intervention. Next year, it will embark on the famous ocean voyage from Plymouth, England to Plymouth, Mass.

New Conference for Subsea Umbilical Industry

Subsea UK and the Umbilical Manufacturers Federation (UMF) have joined forces to deliver a conference focusing on the new developments and opportunities which exist in the subsea umbilicals industry.The global subsea umbilicals, risers and flowline market is forecast to be worth more than $6.4 billion by 2021 and the half-day conference, which will take place on Thursday, November 21st, at the Chester Hotel in Aberdeen, will focus on the opportunities which exist in the growing sector.

EnBW, Trident Winds JV for Offshore Wind Project in California

EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG is continuing its strategy of capturing growth in new international markets in the renewable energy sector. Following its recent entry into Taiwan, EnBW has now expanded its activities to the United States of America by establishing a regional subsidiary, EnBW North America, and forming a joint venture with Trident Winds Inc. to develop an offshore wind project off the coast of in Central California.

Sensor Technology Expands

Sensor Technology Ltd. announced it has expanded its manufacturing to Nova Scotia at the Center for Ocean Ventures & Entrepreneurship (COVE), a collaborative facility for applied innovation in the ocean sector.“This opportunity has come at the perfect time for Sensor Technology as we are in a significant growth stage as well as developing a new products and markets for our custom solutions. We are really excited to be a part of the collaborative community at COVE…

Sri Lanka Signs Deal for $50 Mln Offshore Seismic Study

Sri Lanka on Wednesday signed an agreement with a subsidiary of U.S.

Preview: OI North America 2017 San Diego

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…

Jee to Host ‘Unpiggable’ Pipelines Webinar

Subsea engineering and training company, Jee Ltd, will draw on its subsea inspection and pigging expertise to host a free-to-attend webinar exploring the topic on January 20, 2016. Available to a global audience, the webinar - ‘Industry advances in pigging ‘unpiggable’ pipelines’ - will be presented by Senior Engineer, Rob Davies, and will give participants an understanding of how to overcome typical challenges associated with ‘unpiggable’ or challenging pipelines.

Quay Contract Awarded at Lerwick Port

Plans for significant further expansion of Lerwick Harbour’s extensive deep-water facilities for the offshore oil and gas industry have advanced with the award of a major contract to extend the quay at Dales Voe South to support subsea developments and decommissioning. Lerwick Port Authority has commissioned the Scottish business unit of civil engineering contractor BAM Nuttall as main contractor for an £11.95 million investment to lengthen the quay to 130 metres.

Meet Kraken’s Tentacle Autonomous LARS

From elephant trunks to octopus legs, nature abounds with tentacles that are adept at precise manipulation.At Kraken Robotics, we wanted to see what nature could teach us about better manipulation methods for launching and recovering marine vehicles and equipment. Inspired by the sophisticated feedback loops and dynamic response times found in creatures such as the elephant, octopus and jellyfish—and…

SeaBotix vLBV Sales Reach 100 Systems

SeaBotix Inc. announced 100 sales of its vectored Little Benthic Vehicle ROV (vLBV). The vLBV was launched in 2011 and was the brainchild of SeaBotix’ Senior Vice President Jesse Rodocker whose vision was to address the subsea industry’s need for a small, easily deployable, compact ROV with adjustable angle (vectored) thrusters in order to complement and advance the capability of the well-established SeaBotix ROV range in the offshore environment.

ROV Roundup: Recent Tech Innovations

MTR highlights recent technological advances in the world of remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROV).SaabSeaeye: It’s ElectricOperators, from the Gulf of Mexico to offshore Australia, report multi-million-dollar savings as they switch to the new generation of electric work vehicles, and the Saab Seaeye Leopard it touted as the most powerful electric robotic work vehicle of its size in the world.Compared to a 66-ton hydraulic equivalent…

Threat to Whales Complicates US Research into Seaweed for Biofuel

In Cape Cod Bay, 10-year-old Pilgrim and her calf skim the water's glassy surface alongside the Shearwater research vessel to feed on tiny crustaceans.The two are among the last surviving 340 or so North Atlantic right whales left migrating along the U.S. East Coast – down from 480 right whales in 2010.The biggest threats they face include being struck by passing ships or getting entangled in ropes used for lobster fishing off the U.S.

Measuring the Load on Jack-up Support Legs

Devices from US manufacturer S. Himmelstein accurately measure torque for control and verification of loads on oil rig support legs. These MCRT® 39000X devices enable load monitoring during jacking  operations and help maintain stability on uneven and shifting sea beds and strong currents. Mounted between the electric motors and pinion drive gearboxes on each leg’s truss, the system transmits data via a two-wire 4-20 mA loop to the Control Room.

Meredith Joins BIRNS Sales Team

Marine lighting and connector systems manufacturer BIRNS, Inc. announced that Bruce Meredith has joined its sales team as Technical Sales Manager, responsible for leading the company’s sales team, overseeing its global distributor and dealer networks and managing accounts for advanced deep submergence connectors and cable assemblies and high performance marine and nuclear lighting systems sales.Meredith brings decades of sales and marketing experience to his new role.

SevenCs, HCU Join for Hydrographic Education

A group of students participating in the GIS-Hydrography module of the HCU Masters program in Geomatics, were invited to attend a workshop at the SevenCs’ office in Hamburg on May 5, 2014. The course was an introduction to the production of S-57 data by means of SevenCs ENC Tools. Attendees could experience hands –on training to gain insight into the production of Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs).

Maritime Gunships: Kraken Partners with MSI-Defence Systems

British maritime company Kraken Technology Group (KTG) has partnered up with MSI-Defence Systems (MSI-DS) around key systems on its K50 KRAKEN maritime gunship.MSI-DS is a land and naval weapon systems specialist focusing on precision engagement, weapons direction, remote situational awareness and hard kill on a range of host platforms.MSI-DS has developed cross-domain weapons platforms and control systems for naval…