BAS to Study Future Sea-level Rise in Antarctica

British Antarctic Survey (BAS) researchers are aiming to develop new and ambitious ideas to tackle critical global environmental challenges, such as global sea-level rise from Antarctica, with the help of new funding from the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC).NERC has awarded £2.3 million (about $2.8 million) to BAS for the new science program SURface FluxEs In AnTarctica (SURFEIT).SURFEIT…

New Monitoring Network for Scottish Ports

Historically, ferry masters operating off the west coast of Scotland would have to sail to a port and on arrival visually assess the weather and tide conditions before deciding whether safe berthing alongside the pier or quayside would be possible. This wastes time and fuel, and can causes frustration among passengers, who may see ferries come close to a port, but thereafter depart without berthing when conditions are determined by the ferry Master to be unsafe.

Partnership Seeks New Tidal Sensor Technologies

Canadian and British researchers will join forces to collaborate on two projects in developing new sensing technologies for tidal energy applications. The two projects, with a combined value of $1.43 million, were selected for funding through a joint research competition managed and funded by the Offshore Energy Research Association, a Nova Scotia Based not-for-profit research group, and Innovate UK, a government funded business and innovation accelerator out of the UK.

CGG Joins Selkie Project to Boost Marine Energy Industry in Wales and Ireland

French offshore seismic services firm CGG has partnered with the Selkie Project, a new €5.2m cross-border initiative aiming to boost the marine energy industry in Wales and Ireland."Selkie is bringing together leading researchers and businesses to improve the performance of wave and tidal marine energy devices to help deliver commitments to net-zero targets. CGG will work with Selkie to test and validate new technology tools on wave and tidal demonstration projects…

Silicon Sensing participates in Mayflower Autonomous Ship Quest

The Mayflower Autonomous Ship (MAS) is set to re-embark on its three-week trans-Atlantic journey in April 2022 equipped with two Silicon Sensing’s AMU30 inertial measurement units (IMUs). These Silicon Sensing AMU30 devices send highly precise motion data to the new ‘AI captain’ that guides the vessel. They also assist in measuring sea surface height as part of detailed scientific analysis of ocean topography.

Robotics: Bringing Navigation Accuracy to Petroleum Tank Inspection

An autonomous robot outfitted with a DVL is looking to revolutionize fuel tank inspection – while eliminating potential operational hazards.Boston-based Square Robot has deployed Nortek’s Doppler Velocity Logs (DVLs) – already established in subsea applications – for this different and challenging environment, developing a robot that can provide detailed assessments of the conditions in above-ground…

NOC's Professor Ed Hill Receives CBE

The National Oceanography Centre’s Chief Executive, Professor Ed Hill, received the insignia of a CBE at an investiture at Windsor Castle held by HRH the Duke of Cambridge. Professor Hill was awarded the CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honors 2020 list, in recognition of his services to ocean and environmental sciences.Professor Hill has been committed to ocean exploration and observation throughout his 35-year career…

Teledyne RDI Rolls Out New DVL

Teledyne RD Instruments (TRDI) has launched its next-generation Doppler Velocity Log (DVL), the Tasman DVL.In 1995, Teledyne RDI designed and manufactured the industry’s first DVL, the Workhorse Navigator, aand has since delivered thousands of units globally to provide precision onboard navigation for subsea and surface vehicles.The new 600/300 kilohertz Tasman DVL, with its reduced size, weight and increased range…

Silicon Sensing Expands MEMS Foundry in Japan

Silicon Sensing Systems is to expand its MEMS foundry in Japan, moving into a new purpose-built facility, allowing the company to meet significantly increased demand for its MEMS inertial sensors and sputtered thin film PZT MEMS device wafers.The new facility will increase floorspace to 3,000m2, immediately more than doubling current wafer throughput and delivering scope for a five-fold increase in output over the next five years, in line with current market growth predictions.

World First: Video Broadcast Live from Underwater

Pioneering subsea communications technology has enabled the world's first live broadcast stream to global audiences from an underwater submersible.Underwater technology company Sonardyne International said the international news agency Associated Press (AP) used its BlueComm wireless through-water optical modem technology to broadcast live from a two-person submersible operating in waters off the Seychelles, in the Indian Ocean.

Jasco has a Long History in Acoustics

A small Canadian company is using its “scientific excellence” in acoustics to advance human and industrial activities mainly in a marine environment. JASCO Applied Sciences has more than 30 years of experience in various aspects of marine acoustics. It has delivered its expertise internationally and has become one of the global leaders in marine acoustic data collection and analysis. The company was initially formed as JASCO Research in 1981 in Victoria, B.C. by Joseph A.

Bibby Reports Thriving Subsea Business

Bibby Offshore’s newest international division, Houston-based Bibby Subsea, said it has gone from strength to strength since its launch in October last year, having trebled the team in the past four months. The subsea installation contractor developed the base in North America as part of its continued global growth strategy and to meet the growing demand of its clients in the region. In a bid to further strengthen ties with the region…

Fugro Launches New Submarine Rescue Simulator

Fugro Subsea Services Ltd gave the first public showing of its new Submarine Rescue Vehicle (SRV) simulator at the DSEI show in London. The simulator is based on Fugro’s DeepWorks ROV software and is designed to speed up the verification of vehicle design configurations and tooling, develop and  practice rescue mission procedures, and improve pilot training. DeepWorks provides true subsea physics-based…

GPS Spoofing and the Potential Perils to Ships at Sea

Simple annoyance or potential security threat? Spoof is defined as “a hoax or swindle.”  In the world of electronic networks, a spoofing attack is a situation in which one program successfully masquerades as another by falsifying data and thereby gaining an improper advantage. We have all heard of, and possibly fallen victim to, fraudulent card readers (often inserted on self-service fuel pumps). The fraudulent card readers copy security information from the credit card…

MTR100 '13 Falmouth Scientific, Inc.

1400 Route 28A, PO Box 315 Cataumet, Mass. Falmouth Scientific, Inc. (FSI) has proven itself throughout the years to be a leading manufacturer of precision instrumentation and systems for global oceanographic applications. Founded in 1989, FSI’s experience includes the design, manufacture, and integration of stand-alone and turnkey systems to collect and relay oceanographic data in real time. Personnel include experienced engineering…

Future ROV Designers

“Away” calls out the deck crew feeding the tether line as the ROV slips silently below the surface. The pilot grips a joystick and deftly maneuvers the craft downward toward its target, intently following its progress on a pair of eight-inch monitors. The copilot, in charge of the working appendages begins the delicate task of opening an underwater hatch. As an observer, it’s hard to comprehend that the UR2 ROV crew you are watching is made up of sixth-graders…

Artemis Diver Sonar and Navigation

Artemis is a modular handheld console that can be configured as a diver target detection sonar and GPS underwater navigation aid. Intuitive and easy to use, the user can quickly interpret information presented via the simple menu interface and graphical display, while sonar, navigation and other apps are selected and controlled via a five-button interface. Artemis is neutrally buoyant, and its lanyard supplied can be attached to a D-Ring or other securing point on the diver…

TGS Start Offshore Madagascar 2D Seismic Surveys

Norway-based TGS, in partnership with BGP, has commenced acquisition of 2D seismic, gravity and magnetic multi-client surveys offshore Madagascar utilizing the 'M/V Challenger'. The surveys, MAJ-13 and MS-14, will add 7,025 km of new 2D seismic data to extend and infill the existing 33,315 km of 2D data acquired by TGS in the region. Data processing will be performed by TGS using its proven Clari-Fi(TM) broadband processing technology. Final data will be available to clients from Q3 2014.

David Kennedy Designated as Chair of US Arctic Research Commission

On March 3, 2021, President Joe Biden designated David Kennedy as Chair of the United States Arctic Research Commission (USARC), an independent federal agency that advises the President and Congress on Arctic Research. Kennedy succeeds former Chairman Jon Harrison, who continues to serve as a commissioner on the USARC.“I’m honored to be entrusted by President Biden with the responsibility of leading the USARC…

Kongsberg Fishery Simulator for Greenland

Nine commercial fishery companies have donated in total $471,587 to Danish training institute, the Greenland Maritime Center, for investment in a state-of-the-art K-Sim Fishery simulator from Kongsberg Digital.A first of its kind in the Kingdom of Denmark, the K-Sim Fishery simulator will enable students to gain vital competence in diverse fishery situations, including aft deck operations, and is scheduled for installation in 2020.Introduced by Kongsberg Digital in 2018…