Meet Kraken’s Tentacle Autonomous LARS

From elephant trunks to octopus legs, nature abounds with tentacles that are adept at precise manipulation.At Kraken Robotics, we wanted to see what nature could teach us about better manipulation methods for launching and recovering marine vehicles and equipment. Inspired by the sophisticated feedback loops and dynamic response times found in creatures such as the elephant, octopus and jellyfish—and…

Offshore: Nippon Foundation, Deepstar Sign MOU

Japan's Nippon Foundation and Deepstar signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) recently which essentially will allow Japan to tap the expertise and resources of DeepStar to help Japan discover and recover new-found subsea resources, as well as educate future generations of Japanese. The MOU was signed on May 1, 2018 at the Hotel ZaZa in Houston, and speaking at the event Nippon Foundation Chairman…

Odfjell Drilling buys “Deepsea Nordkapp”

Odfjell Drilling announced that Aker BP has today awarded Odfjell Drilling a 2 year firm drilling contract with 1+1 year optional periods. The day rates for the drilling contract will be based on market terms to be determined prior to commencement of drilling operations. In addition to the market linked day rate, a performance bonus as agreed in the alliance agreement with Aker BP, as announced on 21 November 2017, will apply.

Coast Guard Hearing on El Faro Sinking

The U.S. Coast Guard will conduct a public Marine Board of Investigation hearing into the loss of the United States-flagged steam ship EL FARO, and its 33 crewmembers. The first hearing session will focus on the pre-accident historical events relating to the loss, the regulatory compliance record of the EL FARO, crewmember duties and qualifications, past operations of the vessel and the Coast Guard’s Search and Rescue operations.

New Approach to Subsea Systems will Reduce Cost, Risk

Ashtead Technology is publishing a White Paper at Subsea Expo to demonstrate how a new approach to the installation and integrity management of subsea systems can significantly reduce risk and cost in subsea operations. A leading, independent provider of subsea technology and equipment has developed an advanced suite of integrated subsea monitoring and data systems to support critical aspects of construction and integrity management.

Ashtead Bolsters US Team

Global subsea equipment specialists, Ashtead Technology, has strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of Steven Thrasher as regional vice president for the Americas. Bringing almost 20 years’ experience in the subsea industry, Thrasher, who will be based in Houston, Texas, will head up Ashtead’s US operation as it gears up for further growth in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM) and neighbouring markets.

Rovco Trials 3D Visualization Tech

Subsea cable survey and inspection work for the world’s largest and most technologically advanced offshore renewables test site, Wave Hub, was completed by U.K. based Rovco. The inspection program included the first commercial trial of Rovco’s 3D visualization technology to create scaled, high resolution models of subsea infrastructure with millimeter accuracy. Rovco also delivered a detailed bathymetric survey utilizing a multibeam echosounder (MBES)…

Seabed Mapping Underway in Belize

The United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) has deployed two vessels to survey the waters of Belize as part of the Commonwealth Marine Economies (CME) Program, the organization has announced. Following a stakeholder meeting with the Belize Port Authority and wider government earlier this month, priority areas will be surveyed, capturing sonar data of Belize's main ports and approaches. High frequency mapping sonars are being used…

Total Awards iSURVEY Positioning Contract

iSURVEY, a provider of survey and positioning services to the global oil and gas, offshore renewables and telecommunications markets, said it has secured a framework contract with Total E&P UK Limited for the provision of rig move navigation and positioning services. Effective October 12, 2015, the three-year framework contract will give the iSURVEY team the opportunity to provide platform, rig and vessel-based positioning services to Total’s offshore operations in the UKCS.

Forum Energy Technologies Launches Electric ROV Range

Forum Energy Technologies, Inc. has launched its new electric remotely operated vehicle (EROV) range. Designed and manufactured in-house at Forum’s Kirkbymoorside Yorkshire facility, the XLe Spirit is the company’s first of a new generation of electric ROVs. The vehicle is the smallest in the new range but is powerful enough to perform subsea maintenance and repair work with the use of its optional electric or hydraulic five function manipulator arm.

EIVA Software for Shallow Water Surveys

The EIVA NaviSuite software suite includes single-user sensor data acquisition and processing bundle for shallow water surveys, NaviSuite Kuda. The products include the new software solution NaviSuite Kuda, developed by the offshore survey and engineering specialist EIVA a/s and launched on September 10. NaviSuite Kuda is a single-user bundle dedicated to shallow water surveys. Its price matches the budget of small companies…

Clark Joins Planet Ocean

Surrey based oceanographic and scientific instrumentation manufacturer Planet Ocean Ltd has hired Aaron Clark as the newest member of its sales team. Clark will serve as Technical & Scientific Sales Engineer, based at the firm's Camberley headquarters.Clark graduated from the University of Portsmouth with a B.Sc (Hons) in Marine Biology and is a keen SCUBA diver, qualifying as one of the youngest scuba divers in the U.K. after having been selected for a trial to lower the age for qualification.

Hydroid Bags AUV Order from Japan

Autonomous underwater vehicle (AUVs) manufacturer Hydroid, Inc., said on Monday it has received an order for a New Generation REMUS 6000 AUV from the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science Technology (JAMSTEC).The New Generation REMUS 6000 is based on the legacy vehicle design and features a modular architecture that allows for the addition of multiple payloads including customer sensor packages, forward fins and additional battery sections, the manufacturer said.

STR Expands Dredging Equipment Offering

Global specialists in the design, manufacture and rental of advanced subsea technology for the offshore energy industry Subsea Technology & Rentals Ltd (STR) has expanded its offering of dredging equipment following a partnership agreement with Aberdeen based Subsea Tooling Services (STS) to hire, service and support its range of subsea dredging systems held mobilization ready at STR offices. The Predator and Gremlin range of dredgers will become the latest offering from STR.

CMS-Geotech Launches Vibrocore Monitoring Acquisition System

Vibrocoring is an established fundamental phase of marine seabed investigations, but its importance is often underestimated and much vibrocoring is carried out somewhat blindly, ie lowering the unit to the seabed, vibrating for a set time and recovering to the surface in the hope that an adequate sample has been obtained. CMS-Geotech is a U.K. specialist in vibrocoring and CPT site investigation and over the last 12 months has developed a new monitoring system…

UTEC Comes up Big Offshore

Offshore and onshore survey provider UTEC Survey says it has completed a significant ROV navigation and seismic node positioning project in deepwater Gulf of Mexico. The project, carried out for seismic nodal technology company FairfieldNodal and undertaken in 2,425 meters of water, involved use of the latest software and navigation technologies available to simplify operations, increase cost savings on an original scope of work…

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.