Voices: Jill Zande, MATE II

Jill Zande, President and Executive Director at MATE Inspiration for Innovation (MATE II) was featured in last month’s MTR 100 as a top 10 ocean influencer. This month in MTR we present our full interview with Zande on the importance of attracting the next generation to a career in the oceans.How did you come to a career at MATE?As a research associate at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab (DISL), I thought that the only next step for me career-wise was to go back to graduate school…

UKHO Conducts Seabed Mapping in Dominica

The U.K. Hydrographic Office (UKHO) said it has deployed a motorboat to survey the waters off Dominica as part of the Commonwealth Marine Economies (CME) Program.Following a stakeholder meeting with Dominica’s Maritime Authority and wider government in late 2017 after Hurricane Maria, priority survey areas were agreed to capture seabed mapping data of Dominica’s main ports and approaches.Surveying is expected to continue throughout September…

Subsea Defense: Extending Unmanned Capabilities

The defense sector is looking for ways to extend its reach and capabilities, with underwater robotic and autonomous systems and sensors.Extending the capabilities of submarine warfare systems without the need for humans is a key focus in the marine defense space. Navies feel under threat; they have limited budgets and worries about resurgent maritime forces from Russia and China, while new technologies – robotics…

New Site Hosts Corps’ Hydrographic Survey Training

What do hydrographic surveys ― the scientific measurement and description of physical features at the bottom of bodies of water ― have to do with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and marine construction? In a word, plenty.Francis Postiglione, chief of the New York District's Survey Section, Operation's Division, said, "Surveying is at the root of all projects in coastal and inland waterways," adding…

Ocean Infinity Donates Data to Seabed Mapping Project

Texas-based surveying company Ocean Infinity has donated survey data from its search for missing Malaysian airliner MH370 to The Nippon Foundation-GEBCO Seabed 2030 Project which aims to map the entirety of the world’s ocean floor by 2030.The 120,000 square kilometers of data will be incorporated into the latest version of the global map of the ocean floor. So far, only a fraction of the ocean floor…

Iver3 AUV Sold to Defense Research and Development Canada

OceanServer Technology has received a contract for an Iver3-580 EP system from Canada Public Works and Government Services for delivery to the Defense Research and Development Canada (DRDC). The Iver3 AUV will be used to augment existing autonomous systems and provide a platform to continue R&D development in underwater research at DRDC Atlantic. OceanServer has sold several systems to DRDC with a wide range of sonar, software and sensors for research into areas such as mine counter measures.

General Dynamics Mission Systems Acquires Bluefin Robotics

PRESS RELEASE: General Dynamics Mission Systems has acquired Bluefin Robotics, a manufacturer of unmanned undersea vehicles (UUVs) that perform a wide range of missions for the U.S. military and commercial customers. “Bluefin’s advanced underwater technologies and products are perfectly aligned with our expertise in undersea system integration,” said Chris Marzilli, president of General Dynamics Mission Systems.

Army, Navy and Air Force Gather at Saab Seaeye

Officers from an international group representing the army, navy and air force gathered at Saab Seaeye in Fareham, Hampshire, where all 40 officers and defense staff were participants in the premier Advanced Command and Staff Course held at HMS Collingwood. The visit to Saab Seaeye was integral to the course and gave delegates a chance to consider the opportunities and technology available from a global defense company.

Legislation Aims to Spur Great Lakes Research

U.S. Senators Gary Peters (Mich.), Debbie Stabenow (Mich.) and Reps. Dan Benishek, M.D. (Mich.-1) and Mike Quigley (Ill.-5) introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation last week to spur Great Lakes funding and research efforts and help support effective fishery management decisions. The Great Lakes Fishery Research Authorization (GLFRA) Act aims to give the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) the legislative authority to support the $7 billion Great Lakes sport and commercial fishery industry.

Around the World in 49 Days

On Christmas Day 2016, Thomas Coville completed a record-breaking trip. He sailed around the world in 49 days aboard Sodebo Ultim — a 32m French trimaran. Averaging 23 knots over the 27,000-mile course, Coville reduced the previous record for solo global circumnavigation by eight days. That record had stood for 12 years. In fact, Coville had previously made three unsuccessful attempts to break it.

Nor-Shipping: Opening Oceans in Denmark

Global maritime event week Nor-Shipping is making its first move outside Norway, with a new initiative to help maritime and ocean industry players realize the almost limitless business potential of the ocean space. Nor-Shipping’s Opening Oceans Conference, taking place in Copenhagen from May 2-3, 2018, will bring businesses together to illustrate and discuss key opportunities, equip delegates with the tools to tackle them, and facilitate fresh collaborations.

New Navigation Module for Gavia AUV

Teledyne Gavia, manufacturer of the Gavia autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV), said it has released a new navigation module that incorporates iXblue’s new Phins Compact C3 with a Teledyne RDI 1200 kHz Workhorse. The system is another high quality option for customers interested in high accuracy navigation at a competitive market price and in a compact form, Teledyne Gavia said. The Gavia AUV can be utilized in various applications…

NOAA Boots Up Its New Supercomputers

U.S. weather models are about to become more accurate and efficient thanks to faster supercomputers and more storage. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said the two Dell systems added to its IBMs and Crays at data centers in Reston, Va., and Orlando, Fla. elevate its combined weather and climate supercomputing system to among the 30 fastest in the world, with the ability to now process 8 quadrillion calculations per second.

Almarin Buoys Reach New Markets

Almarin navigation buoys are being installed in a growing number of markets both in Europe and further afield, proving the effectiveness of their simple reliable design with the use of high quality materials manufactured in Europe. In the Léman lake, border between France and Switzerland, buoys have been installed to mark a floating containment boom in the estuary of Rhone river, nearby Port Valais. The Balizamar buoys used in this case were adapted by the customer for this application.

Underwater Laser Mapping on the Move

Subsea technology companies Newton Research Labs Inc. and Sonardyne International Ltd, UK. have completed tests to integrate Newton Labs’ underwater laser scanners with Sonardyne’s acoustically-aided inertial navigation system for underwater vehicles, SPRINT-Mapper. The companies say the milestone paves the way for greater adoption by industry of mobile laser mapping technology to survey seafloor sites and subsea structures…

PicSea: A New Concept for Ocean Autonomy

“I just can’t believe that 70 percent of the world’s surface is underwater, but it remains almost entirely unexplored. We offer a solution that could make a huge difference to underwater survey, exploration and research. By using hundreds or even thousands of our low-cost underwater robots, we can intelligently explore these hidden depths more easily now than ever before,” said Andrew Durrant, Founder of PicSea…

Quay Contract Awarded at Lerwick Port

Plans for significant further expansion of Lerwick Harbour’s extensive deep-water facilities for the offshore oil and gas industry have advanced with the award of a major contract to extend the quay at Dales Voe South to support subsea developments and decommissioning. Lerwick Port Authority has commissioned the Scottish business unit of civil engineering contractor BAM Nuttall as main contractor for an £11.95 million investment to lengthen the quay to 130 metres.

Research Vessels Construction Progressing as Scheduled

Seattle-based Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering company Guido Perla & Associates, Inc. (GPA) reports that construction of the AGOR 27 R/V Neil Armstrong is progressing according to plan at Dakota Creek Industries (DCI) in Anacortes, Wash. A major milestone was achieved recently with the completion of the hull assembly after the stern block was set, followed by the installation of the pilot house.

Deep-sea Canyons and Seeps Discovered Off U.S. Northeast

Ocean explorers in July on NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer discovered a wide diversity of seafloor features and communities of life in the largely unexplored deep-sea canyons off the northeast U.S. coast. Now through August 16, as the expedition continues, the public can join the mission as "citizen scientists," at oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos, to see live seafloor video and listen as scientists discuss their observations in real time.

China Offshore Fugro Geosolutions to Sign New Contract

When the recently signed 10-year extension comes into effect on 23 August 2013, Fugro will enter the fourth decade of the successful joint venture with China Oilfield Services Ltd (COSL). Services provided include precise navigation services, subsea positioning, construction support services and remotely operated vehicle (ROV) services. The joint venture, named China Offshore Fugro Geosolutions (COFG) in which Fugro holds 50%, has been operating successfully offshore China since 1983.