U.S. Army ERDC Seeks Shoreline Restoration Proposals at Naval Support Area (NSA) Cutler

The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) is currently seeking expertise for several projects, including an opportunity for Advancing Shoreline Resilience at Naval Support Area Cutler.Weather-related events have resulted in significant erosion and shoreline degradation which threaten the infrastructure of the Naval Support Area (NSA) in Cutler, Maine. Due to harsh weather, this region has been considered inhospitable for the use of natural and hybrid infrastructure.

HII Hosts Keel Laying of Virginia-Class Attack Submarine Barb

HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division hosted the keel laying ceremony today for Virginia-class attack submarine Barb (SSN 804).SSN 804 will be the third U.S. Navy submarine to carry the name Barb. The first, SS 220, was commissioned in 1942. During World War II, the submarine conducted missions under the command of Eugene “Lucky” Fluckey, earning the submarine four Presidential Citations, a Navy Unit Commendation and eight battle stars for outstanding service.

James Fisher Launches Japanese Business Unit

James Fisher and Sons, a global provider of specialist services to the energy, marine and defense industries, has launched new legal entity in Japan, reinforcing its long-term commitment to Japan and its footprint in North East Asia.The move furthers James Fisher’s intention to bring its integrated offering and solutions to Japan’s energy transition, maritime security and defense needs.The group already has a partnership covering the offshore wind service industry…

US Funds New Technology for Fisheries Research

The US government has announced a $147.5 million Inflation Reduction Act investment to strengthen NOAA’s science and management capabilities that support climate-ready fisheries.NOAA Fisheries will use $107.5 million to enhance science and data collection to account for the effects of climate change and improve fish and marine mammal stock assessments.The funding will modernize and transform the agency’s…

Drones for Coastal Enviro Management

Unmanned aerial systems (UAS), commonly called drones, have been making increasing impacts in the maritime domain. As the capabilities of these platforms have increased, so have their contributions to maritime science, defense, and industry. Recognizing this, the Alliance for Coastal Technologies (ACT) and the Northeastern Regional Association of Coastal and Ocean Observing Systems (NERACOOS), with support from the U.S.

New Tech for Wind Blade Inspections

Drones and crawling robots outfitted with special scanning technology could help wind blades stay in service longer, which may help lower the cost of wind energy at a time when blades are getting bigger, pricier and harder to transport, Sandia National Laboratories researchers say.As part of the Department of Energy’s Blade Reliability Collaborative work, funded by the Wind Energy Technologies Office…

Five Minutes with Tim Taylor, Tiburon Subsea

Tim Taylor is an accomplished ocean explorer, businessman and entrepreneur. He has owned and operated his own companies in the marine industry for 30 years, work which has always included applying innovative diving technologies, and he has developed a reputation for leading underwater expeditions that add to the scientific knowledge in the fields of oceanography, archaeology, biology and geology. His explorations have taken on many forms…

New Subsea Cutting Technology Unveiled

Services company James Fisher Offshore (JFO) has developed an advanced internal abrasive cutting system designed to offer higher performance, cost savings and operational efficiency to support the oil and gas industry’s decommissioning cost reduction target.The abrasive cutting technology offers an innovative method for the internal cutting and removal of subsea tubular structures, ranging from piles and jacket legs through to well casings and well heads.

Sonardyne’s SPRINT-Nav 700 selected for new under-ice AUV

The UK’s center of excellence for oceanographic sciences, the National Oceanography Center (NOC), has selected high-performance hybrid navigation technology from Sonardyne International Ltd. for the next generation of its Autosub autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV), targeted for under-ice operations.The NOC, based in Southampton, will incorporate Sonardyne’s highest performing SPRINT-Nav inertial navigation system (INS) into the new 2…

Offshore Wind: Decisions Needed Sooner, not Later

On September 26, the State University of New York Maritime College hosted a conference on the emerging east coast offshore wind industry. “Offshore Wind Power, Planning for America’s Ocean Energy” focused on four fundamental topics:• East Coast Wind Farm Overview – Status of the Industry.• Jobs and Supply Chain Technical Working Group.• Wind Farm Port Development.• Offshore Wind Maritime Operations.In some ways…

Competitor Preps for XPRIZE Final with 24-hour Sea Trial

One of the finalists chasing the Shell Ocean Discovery XPRIZE has confirmed the successful completion of its first 24-hour sea trials in preparation for the final round of competition. The GEBCO-Nippon Foundation Alumni Team’s sea-trials assessed various operating protocols and procedures.The team’s progression from the semi-final round was first announced by the XPRIZE at a London award ceremony in March – and having secured sufficient funds and completed significant improvements to its entry…

Olis Robotics Acquires Machine Learning Startup

Olis Robotics, developer of next-generation remote robotics software, announced it has acquired Seattle-based machine learning startup White Marsh Forests (WMF).Olis, formerly BluHaptics, has created a next-generation software platform built from the ground up that expands the capabilities of pilot-controlled service robots in the energy and space sectors and other harsh operating environments. The firm's technology enables vast improvements in robotic dexterity…

UKHO Conducts Seabed Mapping in St Lucia

The U.K. Hydrographic Office (UKHO) said it has deployed a motorboat to survey the waters of St Lucia as part of the Commonwealth Marine Economies (CME) Program.Following a stakeholder meeting with the St Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority (SLASPA) and wider government earlier this year, priority areas will be surveyed, capturing sonar data of St Lucia’s main ports and approaches. These include Castries to Marigot Harbor, Rodney Bay, Vieux Fort Bay and Soufriere Bay.

Mapping the Future

Marine Technology Reporter catches up with Dr. Jyotika Virmani, Ph.D, Senior Director, Shell Ocean Discovery XPRIZE and members of the GEBCO-NF Alumni Team as the conclusion to the $7 Million Shell Ocean Discovery XPRIZE fast approaches.The Shell Ocean Discovery XPRIZE is a global competition challenging teams to advance deep-sea technologies for autonomous, fast and high-resolution ocean exploration.

BMT and Sonardyne Partner on Subsea Monitoring

Engineering consultancy BMT and subsea technology company Sonardyne International Ltd. will together provide advanced integrated marine integrity monitoring solutions to the oil and gas industry under a new agreement announced today at the Rio Oil & Gas exhibition and conference in Brazil.The official Teaming Agreement will allow the two companies to collaboratively provide smarter and more efficient through-life solutions for monitoring and managing critical subsea assets…

Drone Boats to Face-Off in Global RobotX Challenge

Students facing off in the AUVSI Foundation's Maritime RobotX Challenge will battle for cash prizes and bragging rights by completing a series of tasks to demonstrate navigation and control; obstacle detection and avoidance; station keeping and docking; and observation, identification and reporting of a specified target.The competition, set to take place in Oahu, Hawaii from December 8-15, will include students from 13 universities representing Australia…

5 Minutes with Mike Read, President, Teledyne Marine

Teledyne Marine Group has been a consolidator in the subsea space for more than a decade, today totaling 23 companies. Teledyne Marine’s MTR100 entry is focused on insights on the moves in the market from Mike Read.As we continue to navigate through a historic downturn in the offshore energy sector, can you give us your view of the market? Where you see opportunity in the coming 12 to 24 months?We…

New Research Vessel Ordered for Belgium

Spanish shipbuilder Freire is constructing a new oceanographic research vessel for Belgium. The IMO polar code compliant vessel will be designed to carry out research and survey tasks in the North Sea and its adjacent sea areas, but also in the Mediterranean and more northern areas.The research vessel will cater for the requirements of the Belgian marine scientific community when performing advanced marine research and education at sea – today and in the coming years.

Marin Port Authority Renews AtoN Buoys

Almarin has supplied six new buoys for Port Authority of Marín and Ría de Pontevedra as part of a program to improve the Aids to Navigation in this natural harbor. These six buoys mark the approaches to the Ria. Works concluded last week with the installation of ‘Punta Faxilda’ buoy that marks the northern entrance of the Ría de Pontevedra. The buoys supplied are from Almarin’s Guía range, equipped with highly durable foam elastomer hulls and robust galvanized structural steelwork.

Tome Choose Intergraph® Solutions for FPSO Topsides

Brazilian joint venture will use SmartMarine® Enterprise components for project with oil giant Petrobras. Tome Ferrostaal, a joint venture between Tome Engenharia and Ferrostaal in Brazil, has selected Intergraph® SmartMarine® Enterprise solutions, distributed by Sisgraph, as part of a project with Petrobras, one of the world's largest energy companies. Intergraph's enterprise engineering software will be used to construct the topsides of six identical floating…