How Integration Can Optimize ASV Operations

Kongsberg Maritime Ltd is teaming up with ASV Global at Ocean Business 2017 to demonstrate how the deep integration of sophisticated Kongsberg survey, communication and positioning technology is vital to leveraging the power of a new generation of advanced Autonomous Surface Vehicles (ASV). In addition to on-water demonstrations, Kongsberg is also planning a booth packed with new technology at Ocean Business, based on the theme of ‘Delivering data from the seabed to your office’.

SoCal Tech Focus: Blue Robotics

Blue Robotics, based in Torrance, Calif., makes the BlueROV2, the world’s most affordable high-performance remotely operated vehicle (ROV). With a six-thruster vectored configuration, open-source electronics and software and plenty of expandability, it’s the perfect ROV for inspections, research and adventuring. Production began in Torrance in July 2016, and there are now more than 200 vehicles in the wild to date.

Klein, Elbit Conduct Mine Hunting Exercises

Klein Marine Systems teamed with Elbit Systems to conduct  structured mine countermeasure exercises in the Mediterranean Sea. Klein’s advanced, state-of-the-art, 5900 mine hunting side scan sonar, integrated onboard Elbit’s Seagull Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) not only successfully detected and classified all detectable moored and bottom Mine Like Objects (MLO’s) but did so in one-third the allotted time period for each exercise.

EvoLogics at Ocean Business 2017

EvoLogics GmbH, experts in underwater information systems from Berlin, Germany, will proudly showcase the company’s recent developments at the Ocean Business 2017 exhibition in Southampton, UK, including new products, developer solutions and successful R&D efforts. EvoLogics GmbH from Berlin, Germany, designs and manufactures underwater communication and positioning systems as well as smart robotic solutions.

Kongsberg to Supply Offshore Crane Simulator to Heerema

Heerema Marine Contractors (HMC) has selected Kongsberg Maritime's K-Sim Offshore simulation platform to enhance crane operator training and the safe, efficient implementation of heavy lift operations. According to Kongsberg the delivery of what will become the world's most advanced offshore heavy lift crane simulator is planned for September 2015. The equipment will be installed at a new simulation centre in the HMC Academy at the company's HQ in Leiden, the Netherlands.

Work Class ROV Training Course Launched

The world’s first training course in work class ROV operations delivered by an independent training provider has been launched by The Underwater Center in Fort William. The first intake of students has started on the new five-week course - An Introduction to Work Class ROV Operations - which will change the way industry recruits and trains its staff, the subsea training center said. The residential course is taking place at the center…

New Survey Equipment for Port of Hamburg

The Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) has added its third integrated dual head multibeam survey system to its range of hydrographic survey equipment. HPA conducts around 900 surveys per year in the port of Hamburg, and it uses its smallest survey vessel Deepenschriewer IV primarily for multibeam surveys for depth control and documenting in shallow water areas. For this purpose, MBT, MacArtney Germany, has supplied…

The Future of Unmanned Underwater Systems

Launched to listen to the songs of humpback whales, Liquid Robotics has evolved into a harvester of data from the sea. Graham Hine of Liquid Robotics shares with MTR his insights on the future direction of unmanned underwater systems, and more specifically, his company’s role. Mr. Hine, please tell us a bit about yourself. I am Graham Hine, Senior Vice President of Product Management and one of the founders of Liquid Robotics.

DeepFlex to Open New Florida Facility

DeepFlex announced today the signing of an agreement with Offshore Inland Marine & Services, Inc. (OIMO) to establish a new unbonded flexible pipe manufacturing and qualification testing facility to be located in the Port of Pensacola, Florida. The industrial complex will have direct access to the existing deep water quay-side, which is strategically located for optimized access to serve the flexible pipe markets in the Gulf of Mexico, West Africa, Europe and Asian regions.

Seajacks Orders Giant Wind Farm Installation Vessel

Seajacks International contract Samsung Heavy Industries to build what they claim to be the world’s largest and most advanced offshore wind farm installation vessel. The vessel has been specifically designed to meet the demands associated with working UK Round 3, Scottish territorial waters and the other North West European markets. Seajacks also has options for the construction of an additional two units. The new construction vessel will be delivered in the second half of 2015.

Revolutionizing Deepwater Drilling Riser Buoyancy

The ability of advanced software analysis capabilities to produce high performance, robust and dependable solutions is revolutionizing deep water drilling and production. By increasing the performance of products before they even enter the water, companies using software analysis capabilities are able to provide the solutions needed to combat the increasing harsh environments presented by the offshore world.

MacArtney Connects to the Talent of Tomorrow

Mutual learning and innovation was on top of the agenda, as MacArtney Inc. spent a weekend in the inspirational company of the underwater technology talent of tomorrow. Only a few weeks ago, a team of MacArtney representatives and technicians paid a visit to the NASA Johnson Space Center, where the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) astronaut training facility hosted the regional branch of the annual…

Illegal Fishing in EU Waters: NGO Alliance Formed

To combat illegal fishing in the European Union (EU), Oceans 5 announces the formation of a coalition of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) with a grant of over $1 million per year for three years. A sponsored project of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, Oceans 5 is an international funders’ collaborative that works to improve global ocean health by controlling overfishing and establishing marine reserves.

Increased Norwegian Content for Johan Sverdrup Platform

Today, Kvaerner and its sub-contractors cut the first steel plates for the utility- and living quarters (ULQ) topside for the Johan Sverdrup field. The topside construction starts on schedule and budget. The Johan Sverdrup development is being executed with a high degree of Norwegian value creation. Kvaerner's efforts to improve competitiveness have resulted in a large portion of the work for the ULQ platform to be executed in Norway.

Greensea Systems Launches openSEA

Greensea Systems, Inc., a software developer for Unmanned Underwater Vehicles, launched a new commercially packaged software suite for AUVs and ROVs based on the company's successful Open Software and Equipment Architecture, openSEA. The openSEA Suite, a collection of applications built on the proven openSEA core library, provide off-the-shelf modular software solutions for aided inertial navigation, vehicle control, mission management, device and sensor integration and operator interfaces.

VectorNav Introduces Surface Mount GPS/INS

VectorNav Technologies introduced a surface mount version of its VN-300 Dual Antenna GPS-aided Inertial Navigation System (GPS/INS). The VN-300 surface mount device (SMD) is a miniature MEMS-based inertial navigation module that includes both inertial navigation and GPS-compassing capabilities, which together provide for highly accurate position, velocity, and attitude data in both stationary and moving conditions.

Renewables to Surpass Gas by 2016 in Global Power Mix

Power generation from hydro, wind, solar and other renewable sources worldwide will exceed that from gas and be twice that from nuclear by 2016, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said today in its second annual Medium-Term Renewable Energy Market Report (MTRMR). According to the MTRMR, despite a difficult economic context, renewable power is expected to increase by 40% in the next five years. Renewables…

ASV Global Opens Mission Control Center

Autonomous vessel technology developer ASV Global has opened its new state of the art Mission Control Center at its headquarters in Portchester, U.K., forming a hub for the company’s ongoing development of its ASView autonomous vessel control system. The new center, officially opened by Mark Garnier MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, is capable of operating and monitoring the company’s fleet of autonomous surface vehicles (ASV) all over the world using satellite communication links…

MAN Propulsion to Power Seismic Vessel

MAN Diesel & Turbo recently signed a contract for the supply of 8L32/44CR B.2 engines as part of a complete propulsion package to power a seismic vessel ordered by GC Rieber Shipping of Norway. The contract contains an option for an extra vessel. Four of the engines, along with two two-speed Flender Twin-In/Single-Out reduction gears and MAN Alpha Twin Screw CP propellers in AHT nozzles, will power the vessel.

TechnipFMC wins EPC Contract

TechnipFMC  has been awarded by Zakum Development Company (ZADCO) an Engineering, Procurement and Construction contract (EPC3 project) for a sulfate reduction plant on West Island located offshore Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). The objective of the EPC3 project is the installation of a sulfate reduction plant module (SRP) along with new installations and tie-in to existing facilities in West Island.