New Inertial Sensors for Unmanned and Autonomous Vehicles

Embedded sensing systems developer LORD Sensing MicroStrain said it has expanded its portfolio of sensors for unmanned and autonomous vehicles for air, land and sea with the introduction of the 3DM­GX5 family of inertial sensors. “We have a large portfolio that shares the same software and protocol, allowing customers to move up and down the product line where they need varying levels of precision with MEMS Inertial Sensors or GNSS,” said Andy Winzenz, Commercial Director, LORD Sensing.

Geo Shipyard Delivers R/V Apalachee

Geo Shipyard Inc, New Iberia, La, delivered the R/V Apalachee, a 64x21x9’, aluminum catamaran for Florida State University Coastal and Marine Laboratory, St Teresa, Florida. Designed by Fyffe Yachts with NC lofting by Eli Ring, VP of Advance Fabricating, both of Kemah, Texas, the 48 passenger T-boat will support a verity of research missions in the Gulf of Mexico. DeJong and Lebet, Inc., Jacksonville, Florida provided construction oversight and plan review.

Hydro-Lek Business Facilities Move to Hampshire

Following the acquisition of Hydro-Lek, Saab Seaeye has announced that the Hydro-Lek business has now been transferred to Fareham and is fully operational. Effective from January 1, 2016, the combined companies will operate under the Saab Seaeye name. The Hydro-Lek brand will remain and customers can still reach Hydro-Lek sales and operation staff who are now based at Fareham. “We would like to reassure…

URI Scientist Seeks Technology Solutions

There is so much research going on in the state of Rhode Island that its Science & Technology Advisory Council (STAC) gives out annual research grants to research teams already working on projects to facilitate even more collaborative research. The goal is to give a boost to those projects that have the best shot at attracting significant follow-on funding from government agencies or commercial interest.

Atlantic Canada Profiles: Rutter

The world of onboard navigation systems is always changing, and as such, existence of convenient user-interfaces and powerful navigation capabilities are in constant evolution. Contributing to this evolution is Rutter Inc., which in the first quarter of 2017 is releasing an update to its flagship radar system, the sigma S6 Ice Navigator, adding Advanced Ice Analysis to the system. In addition, Rutter will release the new sigma S6 Ice Defense system…

ROV Roundtable: Market Experts Weigh In

The evolution of capable Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) moves in tandem with a burgeoning array of missions available. This month MTR spoke with Matt Bates of Saab Seaeye, Chris Gibson of Videoray, and Alasdair Murrie and Peter Ranelli from Teledyne Marine Systems for their insights on the market moving forward. Describe the trajectory of ROV use over the past five years. Bates, Saab Seaeye We have…

UDT 2013 to Highlight Subsea Innovation

Returning to Hamburg for the fifth time, Undersea Defense Technology (UDT) 2013 will take place in the Congress Center Hamburg (CCH), from June 18-20. UDT has for the last 26 years offered visitors to the exhibition floor a unique opportunity to experience firsthand the technological advancements in undersea equipment. An eclectic mix of companies have already committed to this year’s event. The exhibition floor will feature stands from Babcock…

Latest Underwater GAPS Launched by iXBlue

iXBlue has launched the next generation of its underwater global acoustic positioning system (GAPS), designated GAPS-NG. The manufacturers say that GAPS-NG, like its predecessor GAPS, is a truly portable and precalibrated ultra-short baseline positioning system (USBL) that incorporates INS and GPS technologies. The system is designed to work in demanding environments, notably acoustically challenging and/or extremely shallow waters, where other systems commonly fall down.

Sonardyne Aids NOC with Deepest Undersea Vent Discovery

Sonardyne International Ltd.’s Ranger 2 USBL acoustic positioning system played a role in the recent discovery of the world’s deepest known undersea volcanic vents by a team from the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) in Southampton. The expedition used Ranger 2 to track the Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) Isis from the RRS James Cook, 5,000 meters beneath the surface as it recorded video and imagery whilst collecting samples from the newly discovered vents in the Cayman Trough.

Eighth and Final Royal Navy Frigate Upgraded with Sonar 2087

Following an extensive refit, HMS Portland has become the final Royal Navy Type 23 frigate to be fitted with Thales U.K.’s Sonar 2087, a towed array sonar system that enables warships to hunt submarines at considerable distances and locate them beyond the range from which they can launch an attack. Portland has now returned to service, with a rededication ceremony on March 21. The 12-month multi-million pound refit in Rosyth Royal Dockyard of Portland’s sensors…

Exceptional Imagery for Bluefin with Sonardyne Solstice

Following the integration of Sonardyne International Ltd.’s Solstice Side Scan Sonar with a Bluefin Robotics Bluefin-12 Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), the results of recent payload testing have produced higher quality imagery than that currently available from conventional sonar. The most recent trials of the Bluefin-12 AUV with integrated Solstice were conducted from Bluefin Robotics’ headquarters in Quincy…

Shell Ocean Discovery XPRIZE Semifinalists Announced

XPRIZE today announced the 21 teams representing 13 countries advancing in the $7 million Shell Ocean Discovery XPRIZE, a three-year global competition challenging teams to advance ocean technologies for rapid, unmanned and high-resolution ocean exploration and discovery. Their innovative approaches run the gamut: gliders and drones, underwater robotic swarms, autonomous underwater vehicles, robotics, artificial intelligence and massive computing platforms.

ABB HVDC Technology Aids Offshore Wind Power Transmission

World’s most powerful HVDC Light® sets new record voltage level of ±320 kV- more than 50 per cent higher than existing record. The HVDC Light converter station was energized at the Dörpen West substation in northern Germany, for the Dutch-German transmission system operator, TenneT. This station is the receiving end of the DolWin1 transmission link, which will integrate 800 MW of offshore wind power…

IEA Reports Stalled EffortsToward Clean Energy

The rapid expansion of renewable technologies is one of the few bright spots in an otherwise bleak assessment of global progress towards low-carbon energy, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said in an annual report to the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM). “The drive to clean up the world’s energy system has stalled,” IEA Executive Director Maria van der Hoeven told the CEM, which brings together ministers representing countries responsible for four-fifths of global greenhouse-gas emissions.

The eLPP: Lamor’s New Power-Pack

Lamor Corporation launched its next generation smart eco Lamor Power Pack (eLPP 55-80) at Spillcon in Cairns, Australia. The eLPP is one unit with multiple functions to operate several oil spill response units: skimmers, pumps and boom reels simultaneously, as well as other hydraulically driven equipment with green technology. In staying ahead of new and stricter legislation, Lamor eLPP series has…

Economics of Dyneema-based Ropes

Traditionally thought an expensive alternative to traditional steel wire and conventional polyester-based synthetic ropes, offshore ropes and mooring systems made with Dyneema have been making inroads. End users such as ConocoPhillips, Shell and Petrobras are working with systems based on the high-strength, low-weight fiber of DSM Dyneema. Coupled with their durability and longevity, these rope systems…

Maritime Spy Kit Installed on New Bombardier Planes

Sweden's Saab said on Wednesday it plans to put its Swordfish maritime patrol system on two new aerial platforms as demand rises for ways to tackle maritime threats, including the proliferation of submarines. The move to put an enhanced version of its Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) systems on new airframes in partnership with Canada's Bombardier emerged at the Singapore Airshow as tensions escalated in the South China Sea.

President Obama and Falcon Help to Light up the Brain

Glowing and fluorescent deep-sea creatures could help reveal how the mind works. Bright bioluminescent and fluorescent proteins found in marine life, when attached to human cells, become light-emitting markers that could help map the brain. President Obama’s newly announced Brain Activity Map project, gives impetus to the quest for understanding the human mind. Alzheimer’s and other diseases of the mind, along with cancer, could benefit from tracing otherwise invisible nerve damage.

CAN-DO Approach Leads to £200m of Contract Renewals

CAN Group has secured two major contract renewals, totalling approximately £200million, following competitive re-tendering. These two contracts, coupled with an increase in business, will lead to the safe-guarding of 150 jobs. The Aberdeen headquartered business has been awarded a five year contract for the provision of asset integrity services to ConocoPhillips and a three year contract for the provision of topsides inspection and integrity support services with Apache in the North Sea.

Rovco Dives into International Waters

U.K.-based startup Rovco has taken its firsts steps into international waters with the completion of two subsea survey contracts in Southeast Asia and the Middle East. The contract awards saw Rovco perform advanced subsea survey work in Fiji and Oman, utilizing its SubAtlantic Mojave, Seaeye Falcon and VideoRay Pro 4 ROVs. Launched in September, the company has also been awarded its first ROV consultancy project with one of a U.K.