Floating, Flying Robots to Assist S&R.Operations

The NATO Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation played a crucial role in enhancing  autonomy and integration between Unmanned Surface Vehicles and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles  as part of the ICARUS project, funded by the European Commission. The NATO Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation (CMRE), part of the NATO Science and Technology Organization, recently hosted maritime sea trials…

Product Spotlight: Teledyne RESON Deepwater Solutions

Teledyne RESON acquired the business from ATLAS HYDROGRAPHIC GmbH in 2014, and has since integrated the acquired business and its multibeam echosounders into the Teledyne RESON business and suite of deepwater echosounders. The brands HydroSweep and ParaSound are now being developed, manufactured and serviced out of the Teledyne RESON business entities, and the products are marketed and sold under the Teledyne RESON brand name.

Case Study: 3DSS-DX-450 Sonar

Before coming to rest at the bottom of Lake Union in Washington State, J.E. Boyden was once a common sight along the shores of Puget Sound and Vancouver Island. The 85-foot vessel served as a cargo hauler and tug vessel for almost half a century during the final days of the tallship bulk carriers. Originally laid as one of the Seattle steamer fleet in 1888, the Boyden quickly made a name for herself as a powerful and capable tug…

MTR100: 2G Robotics

No. 2G Robotics was founded in 2007. The company designs and develops underwater laser scanners for subsea surveys and inspections. These innovative systems generate real-time 3D models of subsea structures and environments from which submillimeter measurements can be instantaneously and repeatably captured. The high resolution 3D models provide the precision and accuracy needed for detecting and assessing damage, developing design and repair plans, and performing maintenance and installations.

NOIA Optimism on Gulf of Mexico Oilfield Sales

Overall, compared to the last two years, we are seeing a positive trend for the offshore industry in the Gulf of Mexico, and we are looking forward to Wednesday’s lease sale with cautious optimism. “Not only is this the first Central Gulf of Mexico sale in two years and the last lease sale in the current five year OCS leasing plan, but the 2012-2017 plan is not yet out, so it is unclear when the next Central Gulf sale will occur.

ABS Advances Landmark Standardization JIP

ABS convened industry partners in Houston to sign an agreement that outlines objectives for the second stage of a pioneering unified joint industry project (JIP) for standardization. The goal of the JIP, which includes participants from Korean shipyards, operators, drilling contractors, engineering companies and classification societies, is to develop offshore design standards that will help to improve safety, reduce costs and increase efficiency for offshore projects.

Hydrographic Survey Vessel Converted for Autonomous Ops

ASV Global said it has converted a 26ft hydrographic survey launch to enable it to operate autonomously using the ASView control system, while maintaining its ability to operate in a conventional manned mode. The launch, which is part of the Canadian Coast Guard’s (CCG) fleet dedicated to the survey operations of the Canadian Hydrographic Service (CHS), will be used as a test platform for unmanned survey work.

Updated SeaLite Sphere LED Light

The SeaLite Sphere has evolved to offer field-serviceable connector replacement for a quick and easy repair in the field. The SeaLite Sphere advances beyond other LED lights by separating the connector from other internal electronic components to avoid downtime and costly repairs due to connector failures. The 8,700 psi pressure resistant compartment separates the connector and the rest of the light; which will make flooding due to a connector failure a thing of the past.

‘World’s Most Powerful Mass Flow Excavation Tool’

Mass flow excavation business James Fisher Subsea Excavation, part of James Fisher and Sons plc, has brought to the market what it is calling “world’s most powerful mass flow excavation tool” to support clients with large scale excavations. The SP12000 produces more than 6 metric tons of thrust at full power and a significant volume output of 12,000 liters of water per second, making it ideal for large seabed preparation projects…

MTR100: Editor’s Choice - Five Stand-Outs

MTR’s roving correspondent Kira Coley was tasked to identify and deliver five innovative companies worthy of inclusion in the 10th Annual MTR100. Deep Trekker Inc. Deep Trekker Inc. was founded in 2010 with a mission to bring a fully capable yet portable and accessible remotely operated vehicle to market. Over the last 5 years, Deep Trekkers ROVs have quickly been adopted around the world as the go to underwater observation tool.

Multiclient Seismic Data Offshore Mozambique Available

2D data offered in collaboration with the National Petroleum Institute of Mozambique. Schlumberger has announced  the availability of its multiclient seismic survey offshore Mozambique. The Schlumberger multiclient seismic data offered in collaboration with the National Petroleum Institute of Mozambique (INP) includes reprocessed 2D lines and newly acquired seismic data, and provides detailed imaging of the subsurface.

Valeport MIDAS SVX2 Selected by Saab Kockums

Oceanographic, hydrographic and hydrometric instrumentation manufacturer Valeport said it has secured a contract to supply four customized MIDAS SVX2 probes to Saab Kockums. The MIDAS SVX2 is an advanced probe, combining sound velocity with salinity and density technologies to provide a versatile instrument which delivers superior data profiles. The MIDAS SVX2 was selected for its commercial off the shelf (COTS) status which contributed to project cost and lead time efficiency, Valeport said.

Polar Code Focus at Arctic Conference

The Polar Code has been under development at the IMO for a considerable length of time but will reach fruition during 2014 after which it will be offered to the various nations to ratify. The Code seeks to provide a common reference for those ship owners, designers and – more importantly, perhaps – the ship users who will be operating inside the Arctic or Antarctic regions. The South Polar Region is…

NOAA Forms Panel to Guide Ocean Exploration

NOAA announced the appointment of 13 members to a new federal Ocean Exploration Advisory Board that will provide guidance to NOAA and the nation on ocean exploration. “This distinguished board will advise NOAA on priority areas for exploration, investments in new technologies, and a strategic plan for greater understanding of our planet’s last frontier,” said NOAA Chief Scientist Richard W. Spinrad, Ph.D., who will serve as liaison to the board for NOAA Administrator Kathryn Sullivan, Ph.D.

DNV GL Tackles Aging Wells with New JIP

The global oil and gas industry is now facing the reality that many of its on- and offshore wells are being used beyond the original lifespan, presenting uncertainty around the integrity, safety and productivity of the remaining service life. DNV GL has established a Joint Industry Project (JIP) to develop guidelines for a decision support framework for corrosion assessment and integrity management of ageing wells.

MTR100: Liquid Robotics

Liquid Robotics is a leader in long duration, unmanned ocean robots, with its Wave Gliders deployed across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic, travelling more than 1.1 million nautical miles to collecting some 131 million ocean measurements, operated through 17 hurricanes – having done all of this using only wave and solar energies; no fuel, no emissions. A private, venture backed company located in Silicon Valley…

STR Acquires Cable Counter Technology from Remontec

Great Yarmouth based Subsea Technology & Rentals Ltd (STR); global specialists in the design, production and rental of advanced subsea technology for the offshore industry have acquired the product rights to Remontec’s cable counter technology. Under the terms of the agreement, STR now own the design and copyright covering all Remontec’s T- Count Cable Counter range and have commenced a manufacturing and product development programme to ensure continued availability.

Teledyne RD Instruments Updates ADCPs

Teledyne RD Instruments, a developer of acoustic Doppler current profiling and navigation innovations, announced two updates to its Sentinel V ADCP. These enhancements include a complete update to the firmware and the user software interface program, ReadyV, and an update to the post-processing Velocity software package. These two releases provide for added flexibility in the setup of the instrument…

Tiburon Subsea Takes Delivery of OceanServer AUV

Tiburon Subsea takes delivery of Ocean Server IVER3-580 Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), the first of multiple vehicles being offered for rent to third party operators. Tiburon Subsea is implementing extensive vehicle specific AUV training programs and offering full operator support services with all their AUV rentals. “By certifying qualified operators from established companies we are enabling…

MTR100: Falmouth Scientific, Inc

Falmouth Scientific, Inc. has a long history of supplying precision instruments and services into the marine science community and oceanographic markets. Throughout the years FSI has been recognized for high quality instrumentation to measure physical ocean and fresh water parameters. The company is no longer only known for these measurement systems as it has made a place for itself in the marine survey industry with advanced seismic, sub-bottom, and side scan sonar systems.