New MASK Unveiled

Before sending a new ship to sea it helps to know how well it will perform, especially in rough seas. Testing and improving the seakeeping qualities of ship designs is an art that requires a combination of computerized modeling and simulation, scale model testing in a wave making tank, and actually taking a ship to sea. The modernized Naval Surface Warfare Center’s Maneuvering and Sea Keeping (MASK) wavemaker was unveiled at a dedication ceremony on Dec.

Kongsberg to Unveil Subsea Monitoring System at Oceanology Expo

Leak detection and environmental monitoring within the offshore renewables and oil and gas sectors are a key focus for Kongsberg Maritime at Oceanology International 2014, with the world launch of a sophisticated new approach to subsea monitoring. Kongsberg explain that the Modular Subsea Monitoring-Network (MSM) is a flexible solution deployable on projects of all types and scale and is designed to…

LinkQuest Delivers Acoustic Tracking System to IOLR

LinkQuest recently delivered a TrackLink 5000HA, a long-range USBL acoustic tracking system capable of reaching a range of 5,000 meters, to Israel Oceanographic & Limnological Research (IOLR), nonprofit governmental research institute that primarily monitors and conducts research of the marine and fresh water environments. After delivery, the system was immediately installed and commissioned successfully by IOLR.

K-LARS Chosen for Jumeirah Offshore’s New DSV

Kongsberg Evotec, a fully owned subsidiary of Kongsberg Maritime, has entered an agreement with CSSC Huangpu Shipyard in Guangzhou China for the delivery of two launch and recovery systems (LARS) for remote operated vehicles (ROV). The contract includes the first delivery of the recently patented K-LARS port frame solution, in addition to a tried and tested moon-pool LARS system. Both are scheduled…

Unmanned Warrior: The Science behind the Systems

It is an exciting time to be a science advisor in the Navy. I am fortunate to be assigned by the Office of Naval Research to Adm. Phillip Davidson, commander of U.S. Fleet Forces, and work to identify and provide technical solutions to capability gaps currently facing our operational naval forces. Office of Naval Research-Global sponsors 25 science advisors at naval commands around the world. Our job takes us to the front lines to understand challenges facing our Navy and Marine Corps…

Exploring Alien Oceans with AUVs

Shielded by a thick, brittle ice surface, a vast warm ocean hides beneath. Scientists consider Jupiter’s smallest moon, Europa, to be the most promising for alien life and have set in motion multiple concept ventures to design an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) which could successfully explore this remote, off-world environment. Many Europa-bound missions are yet to come to fruition and prove the feasibility of this ambitious and complex task, until now.

OPTION Attracts New Partner for Oil Recovery

OPTION (Optimizing Oil Production by Novel Technology Integration) aims to significantly improve simulation tools for the prediction and control of the flow between the horizontal wells and the reservoir – with a focus on enhancing oil recovery. As part of their investment in the project, DONG Energy will contribute with the complete subsurface dataset from the Siri and Stine fields, located in the Danish sector of the North Sea.

MacArtney Winch System for Seafloor Mineral Exploration

Odyssey Marine Exploration (Tampa, Florida) has recently procured a powerful MacArtney MERMAC R50 AHC (Active Heave Compensation) winch for use onboard the R/V Dorado Discovery. In partnership with St. Vincent Bay Exploration (SVBE) based out of Moss Landing, California, Odyssey will use the winch to deploy various seafloor exploration systems and equipment in the Pacific Ocean. Principally renowned…

US Navy Using Advanced Equipment in AirAsia Search

An eight-member team from Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) 1 onboard USS Fort Worth (LCS 3) is supporting the ongoing Indonesian-led search effort for AirAsia flight QZ8501 with advanced Tow Fish side scan sonar systems capable of providing high-resolution images of the ocean floor. The Tow Fish side scan sonar system is used to identify objects on the seafloor and provide accurate imagery for analysis.

Rolls-Royce Unmanned Craft Mini Waterjet Development

Rolls-Royce, is to develop a new, highly efficient water jet to propel unmanned surface craft for the US Navy. The new water jet will be the smallest Rolls-Royce design to date, with a diameter of just 100 millimetres, and will quietly propel the craft through the water on remotely controlled missions that include intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. Rolls-Royce will develop the water jet part of the innovative small propulsion system…

Digital Ocean: Making Subsea Data More Easily Accessible

The digital ocean is a reality and U.K.-based digital communications marine technology firm Sonardyne International Ltd is one of the organizations driving innovation to enable the extension of electronic and communications connectivity into the subsea domain. Based on a presentation given by Tom Rooney, Lead Trainer at Sonardyne, at the Digital Ocean conference held in Galway, Ireland in June 2017…

Greek Survey Uncovers Underwater Antiquities

A marine geophysical and hydrographic survey off Methoni, Greece has uncovered a number of important underwater antiquities, including historical shipwrecks, the town’s ancient submerged pier and harbor, as well as ruins of the submerged prehistoric town – all mapped in 2D and 3D with the use of hydrographic and geophysical instrumentation. Led by a team of marine geophysicists from the Laboratory of Marine Geology and Physical Oceanography at the University of Patras…

Hydroid Introduces New High Speed, Low Cost Micro AUV

Marine robotics manufacturer Hydroid Inc., a subsidiary of Kongsberg Maritime, announced the release of the new REMUS M3V compact, one-man portable autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV). Low cost and ready to use right out of the box, this micro AUV supports numerous applications including search and survey; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR); marine research; and multi-vehicle missions. The REMUS M3V can dive up to 300 meters in depth.

AUVs Under Ice: Past Milestones, Promising Future

The marine environments beneath ice are arguably some of the least accessible on earth. Ice is a formidable physical barrier that can range in thickness from centimeters to hundreds of meters—an impediment that has not diminished our desire to uncover the secrets that lie beneath. In the heyday of manned submarines, under-ice was seen as an important operating theater, where the ability to listen and monitor one’s foes was crucial.

Saab, Damen Jointly Pursue Submarine Contracts

Swedish defense and security company Saab has partnered with Dutch shipbuilder Damen Shipyards to explore future opportunities in the international submarine market, signing an exclusive teaming agreement to work together in pursuit of the potential Walrus-class submarine replacement program for the Netherlands. Additionally, Saab and Damen will also explore ways in which they might bid jointly on other submarine procurement programs.

Damen Completes Seismic Vessel Repairs on Time

Seismic Vessel 'Polarcus Adira' visits Damen Shipyards, Den Helder for repair, modification & installation work. Damen Shiprepair Den Helder (The Netherlands) was awarded the contract for modification work on the ‘Polarcus Adira’ operated by Dubai-based Polarcus, which operates one of the world's largest seismic vessel fleets. The vessel arrived on berth at Den Helder for insulation and lighting works in the Seismic Control Room…

Launching the Jamie Hanna

On August 14, 2012, more than 50 fellow lobsterman, boat workers, mechanics, family, and friends gathered to witness the launching of the 55-foot research and lobster vessel Jamie Hanna. A procession of cars made the 2 mile trip to the launching ramp at Outward Bound on Clarke Island, Maine. The lead car cleared the road to make way, as the 20 ton hydraulic trailer inched along and a crew on the pilothouse roof lifted phone lines and branches.

European Commission Finances Renewable Energy Projects

The Commission has awarded over €1.2 billion to 23 innovative renewable energy technology (RES) projects. The projects cover a wide range of renewable energy technologies from bioenergy (including advanced biofuels), concentrated solar power and geothermal power to wind power, ocean energy and distributed renewable management (smart grids). The projects will be hosted in 16 EU Member States: Austria…

Arctic Navigation Training Center Opened in Russia

OAO Sovcomflot opens its Saint-Petersburg captain & senior officer training & engineering centre (TEC) for Arctic offshore operations. The opening of the modern training centre in Russia’s maritime capital marks an important milestone in the implementation of the SCF development strategy which provides for an expansion of company participation in oil & gas projects in the Arctic and sub-Arctic. Sovcomflot vessels provide year-round support for large offshore energy projects…

Next Generation of CTDs Smaller, Smarter and Tougher

CTDs are the core sensors for oceanographic measurements, providing information on water quality, water density, and speed of sound. Many CTDs are designed to operate in specific applications such as vertical profiling or long-term monitoring and include capabilities such as data logging, high-speed sampling, antifouling systems and additional sensor inputs. Although such systems can offer broad capability and good sensing performance…