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VEHICLES X-PRIZE1 –– Teledyne Marine AUVs UT TWO UNDERWATER TECHNOLOGY THREE Exploration and Mapping UT Issue Two2019 up to 6000 Meters UNDERWATER TECHNOLOGY VEHICLES X-PRIZE1 SONAR CONTENTS Coda Octopus Echoscope on the Phoenix International-Built ROV

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TWO Teledyne Marine AUVs Teledyne Marine AUVs UT UNDERWATER TECHNOLOGY TWO ExplorationExploration and Mappingand Mapping UT up to 6000 Meters UT Issue Two2019 up to 6000 Meters UNDERWATER UNDERWATER VEHICLES X-PRIZE SONAR CONTENTS 1 TECHNOLOGY Coda Octopus Echoscope on the TECHNOLOGY Phoenix International-Built ROV

NEWS

1 OFFSHORE Outfitting an ROV? SUBSEA ARCHAEOLOGY NEWS NEWS One-Stop Shopping at Your Service! SUBSEA VRYHOF ANCHORS $75 MILLION CONTRACTS NDC COMMISSIONED From cameras to connectors, INS to imaging—and everything in between—only Teledyne Marine’s SIA OZ EPCIC COMPRESSION Subsea Integration Alliance has been awarded the integrated subsea Shell is revisiting the use of Subsea OneTeam can deliver a full suite of field-proven sensors, software, imaging, and interconnect engineering, procurement, construction, installation and commissioning (EPCIC) Compression on the Orman Lange ideally suited for inspection to workclass ROVs. AASTA HANSTEEN contracts by Esso Australia. Marking its first such subsea project in Australia, it field phase 3. combines OneSubsea and Subsea 7's expertise in subsea production systems Whether your ROV requires a single sensor or a fully integrated , you’ll Benthos USBL/Acoustic Modem In December, Equinor started (SPS) and subsea umbilical, riser and flowline (SURF) systems. "We have evaluated a number of production from the Aasta Hansteen alternative concepts and believe Subsea Integration Alliance work scope includes engineering, procurement, find everything you need at www.teledynemarine.com/ROV_Integration gas field in the Norwegian Sea. that subsea compression will result construction and installation of two production wells. The wells are in a water in a significant increase in what is Together with the Polarled pipeline, depth of approximately 45m and will be tied back to the Longford onshore gas possible to produce from Norway's this opens a new region for gas export plants. Project management and engineering will be provided by OneSubsea second largest gas field, by reducing Bowtech to Europe. and Subsea 7 from local offices in Perth and Melbourne, Australia. Offshore the near the wellhead" Cameras and BP GoM DEVELOPMENTS Atlantis platform installation activities are scheduled for 2020. said Rich Denny, CEO of Norske LED Lights Aasta Hansteen is located in 1300m Shell. The Subsea 7 scope includes project management, engineering, procurement, of water, making it the deepest field BP has approved a major expansion also access the eastern area of the operated by LLOG. The well construction and installation of two production wells and a single "We have managed to reduce costs National Decommissioning centre development on the Norwegian of the Atlantis field in the Gulf field where the advanced imaging and encountered oil pay in high-quality electrohydraulic umbilical from the Barracouta Platform to the West Barracouta by more than 50% compared to the continental shelf (NCS), the largest of Mexico while also identifying reservoir characterization identified Miocene sandstone reservoirs and is drill centre. The OneSubsea scope includes the provision of two vertical first time we considered offshore The National Decommissioning spar platform in the world and a first significant additional oil resources additional oil in place. expected to be tied back to the nearby monobore on-wellhead production trees, wellheads, controls and installation compression for Ormen Lange. This centre (NDC) facility in Newburgh, on the NCS. that could create further LLOG-operated Delta House facility. and commissioning services. demonstrates that it was a right Aberdeenshire was officially launched development opportunities around Na Kika decision to stop the project in 2014 in January. the production hubs it operates in l BP's new floating production unit for The field is located 300km west of BP is also announcing two oil and look at all opportunities again. the region. discoveries in the Gulf of Mexico, at the Mad Dog 2 project in the deep- This is the result of £38m partnership BlueView Sandnessjøen, far from other fields Imaging Sonar the Manuel and Nearly Headless Nick water Gulf of Mexico will be named between the Oil & Gas Technology and in an area with harsh weather The $1.3 billion Atlantis Phase 3 prospects. Argos. Centre and the University of conditions. The field development development is the latest example Aberdeen concept consists of a floating platform of BP’s strategy of growing The Manuel discovery is located on The name, chosen by the project team advantaged oil production through Mississippi Canyon block 520, east of and an employee survey, is a reference RD Instruments with a vertical cylindrical spar platform. 100 offshore platforms and 7,500km its existing production facilities in the BP-operated Na Kika platform. to Odysseus’ loyal dog from "The Od- of pipeline are forecast to be CTD SeaBotix Fly-Out ROV Standing 339m tall, the platform the Gulf. The approval for this latest The well encountered oil pay in high- yssey," and a nod to the Mad Dog spar, Vryhof and its three businesses – SWIRE ORDERS HUGIN decommissioned or reused over the weighs 70 000t. When it was towed to development comes after recent quality Miocene sandstone reservoirs. an existing production facility operated Deep Sea Mooring, Vryhof Anchors next decade on the UK Continental the field in April, it marked the biggest BP breakthroughs in advanced BP is expecting to develop these by BP that is located about six nautical and Moorlink – announced up to Swire Seabed has placed an order Shelf. With costs estimated to reach tow on the NCS since Troll A in 1995. seismic imaging and reservoir reservoirs via subsea tieback to the miles away from the Argos site. US$75 million in new contracts. for the acquisition of one Kongsberg £60bn by 2050, the NDC will help characterisation revealed an Na Kika platform. BP’s partner in the "We have worked closely with Maritime Hugin Autonomous deliver the £21bn savings target set The gas is produced from seven wells additional 400 million barrels of oil Manuel discovery is Shell, which holds The Mad Dog 2 project includes the suppliers and partners with a focus The contracts include landmark deals Underwater Vehicle (AUV) (Hugin) by industry regulator, The Oil & Gas in place at the Atlantis field. a 50 percent working interest. Argos platform with the capacity to on optimising work volume, costs, for Vryhof Anchors for the WindFloat with Kongsberg Evotec’s newly Authority. in three subsea templates. This is the produce up to 140,000 gross barrels safety, environment, and using Atlantic wind farm, offshore Portugal, designed Launch and Recovery deepest ever installation of subsea Application of the same technology BP also has a stake in the Nearly of crude oil per day through a subsea learning from similar projects. the world’s first commercial floating System (LARS) for delivery in 2020. By linking industry demand and TSS equipment on the NCS. and analysis has now identified an Headless Nick discovery located production system from up to 14 pro- This has resulted in a number of wind farm, and the Havfarm 1 expertise with academic capability INS/IMU/MRU additional 1 billion barrels of oil in on Mississippi Canyon block 387, duction and 8 water injection wells. competitive alternatives, such as offshore fish farm project in Norway, The Swire Seabed Hugin’s payload and skills in the field, the NDC aims to The recoverable resources at Aasta place at the Thunder Horse field. unmanned platform solutions and one of the world’s largest floating sensor suite will include Kongsberg help create competitive advantage, Elsewhere, two new discoveries Maritime’s HISAS 1032 Synthetic Hansteen, including Snefrid North, several subsea concepts, ”says Arne structures. not only for the oil and gas industry, near the Na Kika production facility EDDA SUN Dahle, project manager at Shell. Aperture Sonar, EM2040 Multibeam but for decommissioning challenges are estimated at 55.6 billion standard could provide further tie-back Fugro is set to commence its first 70T/11m heave compensated knuckle In addition, Deep Sea Mooring (DSM) Echosounder and CathX Ocean in the wider energy sector such as TSS Cable / Pipe Tracker 3 RD Instruments cubic-metres (m ) of gas and 0.6 development opportunities. project using new multipurpose boom deck crane. The partnership will now choose has secured contracts with Saipem Colour Camera and Laser. In offshore renewables. 3 addition, the Hugin will also be Doppler Velocity million m of condensate (353 million ROV support vessel, Edda Sun, with between two remaining options Indonesia, Odfjell Drilling and Noble Atlantis Phase 3 will include the Featuring 625m² of free deck space Drilling for the supply of mooring equipped with Kongsberg Maritime’s Log (DVL) barrels of oil equivalent). mobilisation for the IRM contract for subsea compression; one for Home to the most powerful construction of a new subsea planned for March 2019. for project use - among the largest wet gas developed by OneSubsea related services during 2019 in automatic pipeline tracking which industrial laser at any UK academic production system from eight in its class - the Edda Sun has two and built on technology installed offshore Indonesia, the North Sea, allows the AUV to track alongside or e Benthos institution, the NDC features a yn The subsea templates were built in new wells that will be tied into the The Edda Sun is extremely versatile crane-deployed inspection class ROV on Gullfaks, and a wet gas-tolerant and Myanmar respectively, as well above a pipeline to conduct survey hyperbaric testing vessel which can led Sub-Bottom et Te t Sandnessjøen and the suction anchors platform, 150 miles south with a high weather capability. systems and one hangar-deployed system from TechnipFMC, which as a large-scale contract offshore and inspections tasks. simulate ocean conditions 6,500m, Me ine a Profiler Impulse Connectors keeping the gigantic platform in of New Orleans. Scheduled to come FCV 3000 work class ROV system is based on experiences from the Australia. Vryhof Anchors has been an indoor freshwater immersion Mar po! utilized throughout RESON SeaBat T50-S place are produced in Mo i Rana. The onstream in 2020, the project is Built in 2009 to the highest permanently installed. Åsgard field. Both of these options awarded an oil & gas contract in The Hugin will measure tank, environmental chambers a Ex platform was hooked up at Stord south expected to boost production Norwegian standards, the vessel can will need power from land. Malaysia with SOFEC and connector approximately 5.2 metres in length, for testing from -40C se The vessel also has integrated ROV with a diameter of 0.875 metres, Sub of Bergen, which is also where much of at the platform by an estimated accommodate up to 72 personnel specialists Moorlink has won several to +180C and hangar space for 5-7 38,000 barrels of oil equivalent a and is equipped with a Sikorsky control, online inspection, survey and The choice of underwater concept is niche contracts in the renewables and have high endurance with all the design and construction of ary the hook up and commissioning work day (boe/d) gross at its peak. It will S-92-compatible helideck and a offline processing/review offices. expected later in 2019. and oil & gas drilling sectors. sensors operating. decommissioning technology. ebru was performed. Na Kika F 110 Aansta Hnsteen Image: Roar Lindefjeld and Bo B. Stand 2 www.teledynemarine.com 4 5 6 7 8

ARCHAEOLOGY SOCIETY FOR UNDERWATER TECHNOLOGY Emp A4+bld 1/17/18 1:52 PM Page 1 SUBSEA ARCHAEOLOGY

SUBSEA ARCHAEOLOGY

Towed oceanographic data acquisition system BLACK SEA RESEARCH PRESERVATION EMPOWERING The unexpected findings of a Why are the conditions in that survey programme in the Black part of the Black Sea so perfect for Sea conducted jointly by MMT and preservation? the University of Southampton Lightweight and rugged has discovered 65 vessels in a very "The lack of effectively Multipurpose vehicle advanced stated of preservation. This prevents bacteria and fauna from hydrodynamic design is considered by many as the greatest eating the wood, " said Pacheco- maritime archaeology project so far Ruiz. in the history of the discipline. "Most wooden ships often contain The Julia and Hans Rausing Trust, worms such as Teredo navalis, supporters of a wide variety of that bore into the ship's hull. If philanthropic work, wanted to animals have sufficient light and The SeaRaptor is a survey grade deep water autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) designed discover more about the early oxygen, they will inhabit the new civilisations in and around the ecosystems generated when the Black Sea. The area around the ship submerges. They can then Bosporus, Turkey, Sea of Marmara devour all the organic elements - and Anatolia are known to be very particularly the wood, unimpeded. 1 Quality Court, Chancery Lane rich in early human societies and archaeologically very important. This was the case until the Part of the aims of the work was to development of metal hulls and is Powerful control look at the effect of sea level change one reason why there are so few The SeaRaptor is a survey grade deep water autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) designed on the communities. wooden hulls se well preserved. system "The Black Sea can be considered In an 'anoxic' environment (not an enormous lake," said Dr totally oxygen-free but with a very Rodrigo Pacheco-Ruiz, Maritime small amount of oxygen), there Archaeologist and Underwater the fauna and bacteria can not be Photogrammetry Specialist at MMT. sustained. Additionally, at depths on Cathx cameras, to capture high unpredictable. These conditions can Freshwater rivers from Europe feed of 2000m, no light can penetrate depicted in classical iconography. quality imagery of the shipwrecks. easily take mariners in the wrong down from the North while seawater, and thus, another survival "We used small jetting tools to remove At Southampton University, this data directions. The number of shipwrecks enters from the Mediterranean. condition is negated. some mud, but we were loathed to was subsequently processed them is probably just a function of the very disturb the vessels too much. There are into three-dimensional models. challenging maritime conditions. "An important subsea feature of the " We have carried out a lot of books that need to be rewritten Bosporus is a sill or barrier, currently CTD measurements and chemical One early question the researchers "From our DP2 vessel, virtually lying around 30m below the water analyses of the water, and have "One of the heartbreaking moments London, WC2A 1HR did ask was why these amazingly stationary in 6m waves, it is difficult was looking at the shipwrecks 2000m level. It one time, when the sea level discovered that the conditions at preserved vessels were where to appreciate what these conditions was lower it formed a dam over the bottom change very little. deep and seeing some of them covered they were. True, they were in deep might have been like in smaller lighter to operate at abyssal depths. The high performance SeaRaptor can carry the most advanced which the seawater could not flow. in plastic," said Pacheco-Ruiz. waters and away from trawling boats." "At times, we couldn't see the ships "What is interesting, however, is activities that would remove "Water started to raise at the end of that the chemistry of the Black closely were because they were evidence of shallower water ships, Analyses from the marine architects the last glacial period 22000 years Sea is very corrosive to metals. covered. Multiple gigabit but why in this general area? revealed that the vessels had a very Flexible and high ago. The last time it breached this Most shipwrecked wooden vessels diverse range in ages from the 19th Ethernet channels barrier and started to flow into the after the mediaeval period use "The Black sea is so flat and lifeless, the payload capacity "Ships sinking are often result from century to over 2400 years ago. Of Black Sea was 7000 years ago. "When the glacial freshwater from Part of the research being carried out was there, at a depth of 2000m that This work revealed a number of zones metal fastenings. These nails rubbish would drift until it its path was human-centric reasons such being the 65 wrecks , there was at least one the North met the salt water of from at Southampton University has been to the preserved wrecks were discovered. of interest and promulgated the return that hold the planks together, blocked by an obstacle. These sites have unprepared for unexpectedly bad representative of each important time "Some have interpreted this as the south, however, the two streams, investigate how these sea level peaks with higher resolution equipment. disintegrate. The result is that been collecting plastics since it was first weather," said Pacheco-Ruiz. "Talking in human history. to operate at abyssal depths. The high performance SeaRaptor can carry the most advanced Noah's Flood," Pacheco-Ruiz, exhibiting different densities, did not coincided with the major time frames "In 2015, a research vessel from the MMT used its Surveyor Interceptor although the planks look as though invented. to Bulgarian colleagues, the reason "although it was probably a lot more mix. Instead, they assumed a two- of human history. Greek Hellenic Centre for Maritime remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to they were carved yesterday, the the area is called the Black Sea, is "In addition to a number of Greek complicated and gradual than a layer arrangement with the lighter research, carried out invaluable work map an area about 2000 km² in much ship just opens up as the metal is "On a good note, we felt that this was a WORLD LEADER IN UNDERWATER e-ROBOTIC SYSTEMS that all of a sudden, the conditions vessels, we saw Roman vessels with single violent and cataclysmal event. fresh water sitting on the top and the In this project, excavation work was in the shallow areas of the Black Sea higher resolution. A team of maritime completely gone perfect example of cross-collaboration can change. the tiller still in evidence and Medieval Nevertheless, it did change the heavier seawater. It is this division carried out on the Bulgarian coastal in the same year, we also managed archaeologist graded these prospects between industry and academia. It vessels particulars still on and with landscape. As waters periodically that makes the place so special for area, from land above the beach, to survey a couple thousand square in terms of historical importance and The very old ships, however, the produced results far greater than the The sea quickly darkens when storm the mast still standing. Many were rose and fell, this influx of seawater archaeologists because it is the across the shore line, out into the kilometres with a relatively low MMT returned with workclass ROVs, masts are still extant because all sum of its parts, each contributing its MacArtney global solutions clouds cover the sky. This happens hitherto unseen entire ships. One had happened many times over the fundamental cause of the Black Seas continental shelf around 100m deep resolution multibeam sonar," said fitted with the latest high-resolution the fastenings were organic, made own unique skills and equipment to the instantaneously and can be very a quarter rudder – something only project. Denmark Norway Sweden United Kingdom France Germany Holocene. lacking oxygen at its lower levels." and then down to the abyssal plain. It Pacheco-Ruiz. photogrammetric equipment based of wood or lashed together. Netherlands USA Canada Chile Singapore China Australia ISSN: 1752-0592 9 13 THE FUTURE IS ELECTRIC marine sensorsmarine available sensors on theavailable market, on allowing the market, SeaRaptor allowing to SeaRaptorhandle a wide to handle range aof wide deep range of deep 10 11 12 sea operations including: sea operations including: Vol 13 No 2 INSPECTION EQUIPMENT

UNDERWATER EQUIPMENT UNDERWATER EQUIPMENT UNDERWATER EQUIPMENT UNMANNED INSPECTION BY 2025

6205S C-KORE SUPPORTS SHELL SUBSEA TESTING At the MATS conference in Southampton last November, Peter Collinson, Senior to physically stab the anode directly application, with the rubric that the 15 years, however, I believe it is SWATH C-Kore Systems recently deployed their Cable Monitor • Broad area search and recovery • Exploration • Marine archaeology Subsea and Environmental Marine Autonomous Systems expert at BP, discussed on the pipeline to assess its level result needs to be safe and reliable, going to happen in a much tighter subsea testing units in the North Sea to monitor the the opportunities of applying unmanned systems and other technologies to of protection and future active life. and we need to have confidence timeframe." BATHYMETRY installation of a new umbilical in Shell’s Nelson field. enhance safety, provide improved data quality and to drive efficiency for subsea Instead, we can conduct contactless that these platforms can do what we inspection.John Howes reports. measurements employing field gradient think they can do. At present, these underwater & SIDE SCAN The health of the umbilical was constantly monitored and technology, without having to slow vehicles are typically deployed from data-logged during the entire installation process from Today, there are many disruptive be able to stop at any time and revisit down the inspection ROV. "The question of the method expensive manned vessels. Replacing load-out to lay. This gave constant assurance that the Teledyne Gavia AUV SONAR cable remained in good health throughout the campaign areas of interest as required, before of deployment also becomes them with potentially smaller and choices in the marketplace, inviting and was installed successfully on the seabed without work through the application of companies to challenge the way they proceeding. "A major factor that directly governs circumstances. We already captured all interesting. Do we want to deploy more cost-effective unmanned damage. • Broad area search and recovery • Exploration • Marine archaeology have traditionally operated. Nowhere inspection speed is the maximum the information that we needed first new unmanned robotic systems, these vehicles from fixed assets such deployment platforms will directly is this more applicable than in the Technology has now changed all this. resolution limitations of traditional time," said Collinson. more commonly known as Marine as platforms and rigs, have them reduce, or remove, the risk to people C-Kore’s Cable Monitor Units are used on fault-finding area of subsea inspection. Over the cameras. Using the latest high- Autonomous Systems (MAS). garaged on subsea infrastructure, at sea. For those ‘remote operations and installation operations worldwide to test electrical past few years, BP has embarked on a "Today, we use an approach which we resolution cameras and lasers, we Fast ROVs are just one example from mobile vessels such as ships, or teams’ conducting the work from a line health, including insulation resistance and continuity Cable Monitor subsea testing units transformative business strategy, the call 'Fast Digital Imaging Inspection have been able to interrogate subsea of BP using technology to drive "Last year, we launched a request even to and from Port? shore base, instead of traditionally measurement. With C-Kore’s new Subsea TDR units, any faults discovered can also be localized and categorised. most recent tangible step includes (FDII)’,” said Collinson. hardware with a very high level of improvements. The use of FDII, for information on MAS to nearly remaining on ship, they can go home upgrading service company ROV detail delivering 3D imagery. This has coupled with improved risk processes 100 companies across oil and gas, "On a safety basis, any reduction in at the end of each working day. fleets with an arsenal of new sensors. "It is based on retrofitting ‘standard' allowed us to fly our retrofitted ROV defence, science and deep sea manned ship time makes marine meant that BP’s subsea team achieved Kongsberg's Hugin AUV SHALLOW WATER WIDE SWATH EMERGENCY RECOVERY ROVs, as well as a new generation systems over the same route up to 8 better quality inspection data, at a mining sectors. This gave us a superb autonomous systems particularly "The majority of USVs are relatively power of digitalisation, especially TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER BATHYMETRY WITH NEW MOTION WORLD FIRST DNVGL TYPE APPROVAL BEACON "In the past, we would have of fast ROVs, with high resolution times faster, speeding up the entire faster rate making the whole process insight into the MAS market. This attractive. As such, we are also small," said Collinson. support to offshore operations. DATA through machine learning and "We desperately need to look at TOLERANT SIDE SCAN FOCUS 3 TO APL FOR UXO WORLD FIRST DNVGL TYPE APPROVAL helped us devise a strategy, gathering Indeed, we could easily envisage a An inherent side-effect of carrying edge computing, to enhance the what everyone else is doing and incorporated a suite of sensors on an cameras, laser imaging systems and data gathering process. In 2017, for more efficient, and setting new looking at the relative advantages of MacArtney's FOCUS 3 will be deployed by Applied Physics Laboratory in Subsea Innovation has been awarded oil or gas transport. Emergency Pipeline Repair Systems (EPRS) EdgeTech recently delivered an innovative solution for ROV, fly it over a pipeline and receive cathode field gradient measurement example, we managed to survey four ‘baseline expectations’ for future intelligence on where they thought mobile, resident fixed and semi- ”The largest vessels being barely fleet of unmanned systems serving an out large high-resolution Inspection process. Matching the best Artificial borrow already developed technology the United States to develop and test new methods for UXO (Unexploded DNV GL type approval for its SIClamp such as these are designed for immediate deployment should deep water acoustic release mooring recovery. the data back to a manned ROV devices in order to increase efficiency. major pipeline routes, totaling about inspection campaigns. the market might be going and in mobile systems. There could be longer than the largest AUVs entire field or region. work is that the user is soon deluged Intelligence and Machine Learning rather than inventing our own. The Ordnance) detection and classification. structural pipeline repair clamp a subsea oil or gas pipeline become damaged or its integrity support boat, in real time. As part of 478km in 96 hours. what sort of time frames. We then benefits of operating un-manned themselves, although there are by a vast amount of data that it must systems with the best inspection satellite industry is already good at technology. This makes Subsea found to deficient due to corrosion or defect. The Emergency Recovery Beacon (ERB) is a self- Motion tolerant side scan image the inspection operation, we had to "Now, for example, we no longer need MARINE AUTONOMY drew up a plan, focusing on three assets that remain in theatre for good, shorter AUV models available "While autonomous vehicles improve turn into useful information. Currently, people means we may well have automated change detection - it is The FOCUS 3 represents the 3rd generation of FOCUS vehicles in the Innovation the first manufacturer contained, programmable acoustic command MacArtney ROTV family, all designed, developed and manufactured by transmitter and transponder in a 6000 meter rated "The results of this drive have been Collinson's objective in BP is to highly-interrelated topics that all have extended periods, but can move that are compatible with many safety and are cost effective, we are this must be carried out manually, faster, more accurate and efficient almost a standardised service, while in the world to achieve this Subsea Innovation is a world leader in the design, manufacture MacArtney. certification. and supply of complex engineered equipment and technology nickel aluminium bronze alloy housing that can be • Salvage • Construction support • immediate. In the North Sea and drive the transformation of subsea an impact on each other.” around to service a whole field, existing USVs. However, this market also seeing equal, if not improved a process that can be very time interpretation of inspection data. space-derived industries can also help lowered from the side of a vessel below any surface Trinidad (both 2018 inspection rather than specific small footprint is racing, and larger vessels capable data quality from these new tools. consuming and repetitive. us mission plan for the operation of used in the offshore energy market. inspection and environmental offshore Traditional UXO detection methods detect small variances in the magnetic The new technology, given the official noise, shipboard noise or . 1) DATA GATHERING PLATFORMS offshore facility. of enhanced capability In the environmental realm, MAS is "There will always be a need for visual un-manned fleets at sea -. Traditional side scan showing programmes), we gathered higher motion artifacts in image field strength of the seabed. These changes indicate the presence of metallic stamp of approval from DNV GL, can Designed for sizes between 8in and 44in and temperature delivering real benefit from passive "We don’t want to deal with terabytes data because it is something that we +44 (0) 1480 370007 quality imagery at a faster speed, "The subsea inspection sector may soon be available. objects like shells, mortars or naval mines. In the past, magnetometers have act as a temporary or permanent ranges from -4oC to +80oC, the SIClamps provide new capability The ERB is programmed through a serial port using resulting in reduced ship time and currently employs a wide range of "In recent years, AUVs have proven acoustic monitoring tasks. or petabytes of visual images," said humans instinctively understand, but “We are actively working on digital been deployed in various configurations and on a variety of platforms. structural repair clamp for carbon in the global pipeline market, which is a great growth a computer running a terminal program and can consequently greatly improving the data gathering platforms such as themselves very useful for linear "Compared with Collinson. the ability to obtain near real time twinning and condition-based steel pipelines designed for water, opportunity for the Darlington based company. transmit EdgeTech LF BACS enable, disable and efficiency of the campaigns. USVs (Unmanned Surface Vessels), (pipeline) inspection and we have offshore manned "We have also been trialing the anomaly detection and interpretation monitoring to represent physical • Co-Registered Dual More recent detection methods have included the use of sound – as used release commands at a pre-programmed rate set by UUVs, (Unmanned Underwater completed trials with vehicles vessels, MAS use of low cost, small and agile "We want to be able to conduct of inspection imagery is something assets. This not only gives a better Frequency Side Scan for many years in the mapping of subsurface sediment layers – but now The technology was developed for the user. & Bathymetry "The downside of collecting high Vehicles) and ROVs (Remotely such as Hugin and Gavia. They potentially offer UUVs for environmental response subsea inspection and get an anomaly I’m very excited about.” intelligence on the health of the APL with funding from the Environmental Security Technology Certification operational offshore oil and gas platforms • Salvage • Construction support • Oceanography Program (ESTCP) has taken this a stage further. The ERB is a useful tool that can be used as a vessel- resolution data and imagery at fast Operated Vehicles), with more are extremely good at horizontal safer, more monitoring. This gives the ability to list straightaway to let our engineers system, but allows predictive analytics • Unrivaled Swath Coverage who have had their working life extended and pipelines are required to last deployed deep dunking transducer to get below a variants – and acronyms –emerging work applications such as following flexible, reliable rapidly monitor the water column, make decisions quickly. SENSORS to be used, improving reliability of our in Shallow Water (When speeds is that it generates significant By not only having the ability to detect the object but by also providing high- longer. With the increase in working that may be blocking acoustic signals amounts of information; far too much each year," said Collinson. pipelines, but not so well designed and cost- potentially using a swarm of The general trends for sensor assets. Compared to Other Single Head Systems) resolution imaging, spectral response, and most importantly in the cases of life, Emergency Pipeline Repair Systems from reaching an acoustic release. The transponder to analyse in real time. In response, we for the additional vertical movement effective micro UUVs, launched from “This is where we can apply the development have been in a direction UXOs, the accurate position of the object using sonar technology. support this by maximising operational function allows the user to range on the ERB. are now exploring automated post- "These are useful in isolation, necessary for photographic aerial drones.” of continuous miniaturisation and "The oil and gas industry can also • IHO SP-44 Special Order life and production efficiency and can be processing ‘screening’ technologies. Peter Collinson but we also recognise some very inspection of vertical structures such of increasing capacity. They have learn from itself. Smaller, agile Compliant deployed at short notice. Product Manager Rob Morris commented: “Think exciting opportunities in enhancing as subsea risers and jackets. featured reduced power consumption marginal field operators have a very • Universal MRU Mounting of the ERB as an acoustic release deck box and “After the data gathering event, our safety and improving efficiency and better quality. Numerous sensors proactive approach on applying Plate Subsea Innovation have delivered nine dunking transducer all packaged in a 6,000 meter by using a number of are often incorporated into a single automation to drive efficiency. such systems in the last two years which rated housing that you can lower off the side of a ship inspection experts can then examine "That said, hovering AUVs are • New Discover Software these platforms in device to share the power systems. enabled the company to apply for the to get closer to your deep water mooring to ensure high definition data for anomalies such becoming more common in the failsafe acoustic communication.” combination. "The marketplace is providing a very DNV GL type approval. Of these nine as corrosion, physical damage and a marketplace now and are developing systems, five are fully Remotely Operated "We have reached a stage where large amount of choice. The skill wide variety of different issues. As all rapidly, however I don't think that Vehicle (ROV) automated. Editor: John Howes "The skill we sensors operating on reduced power will be to seamlessly merge the new the images captured from a single ROV people realise the speed that the pass are in high resolution, however, need to learn industry will change once this consumption readily lends them to hardware and software systems and it obviates the need to return to any is matching sector matures. Some think of incorporation into UUVs, micro UUVs provide a step change to how we Deepocean's ROV used for FDII zone of interest in all but a minority of the tool to -to-ROV timescales of 10 to and remote systems," said Collinson. operate." [email protected] USA 1.508.291.0057 Emergency Recovery Beacon [email protected] 14 C-Worker 5 autonomous survey vessel designed and built by L3 ASV15 16 17 18 19

Editorial Assistant: GYROSCOPE UNDERWATER VEHICLES Cliff Edge

UNDERWATER EQUIPMENT UNDERWATER EQUIPMENT UNDERWATER VEHICLES UNDERWATER VEHICLES

THE DIRECTION OF SUBSEA GYROSCOPES ENGINEERING CHALLENGES By Rolf Christensen, INS Manager, Sonardyne International Ltd The National COMBINING TOOLS Oceanography Centre’s By placing the centre of and Gyroscopes are an essential part of any inertial navigation system (INS); FOG technology came to the market in environment, where Autonomous Long Range iXblue and Forssea have joined box-in capabilities, this new solution At a recent SUT meeting, Steffan Lindsø, Director of Emerging Technologies "Another design challenge is how component is derived from the outer the centre of gravity as close together choosing the right one can impact performance and operations time. Rolf more recent decades, although initial are stable and/or where sensor (ALR) AUV, during trials to bring more agile and provides flexible, robust and highly (Europe) at Oceaneering, said that the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) SUBSEA RESIDENCY to provide the necessary structural covering. The buoyancy is clad within as possible, however, it means that it Christensen, INS Manager at Sonardyne, sets out some of the considerations development started in the 1970s. errors can be estimated using at Loch Ness late in 2018. cost-effective subsea operations accurate calibration to offshore industry is at a major crossroads. The demand to reduce costs and increase Operating a resident subsea system strength," said Lindsø. "Most ROVs a rigid carbon fibre skin that provides can be tipped very easily. The stability A FOG is implemented as a passive external aiding sources, FOGs One of the vehicle’s key to companies operating on the companies. efficiency is causing companies to re-think the ways that they operate assets requires the development of adopt an endoskeletal arrangement the strength, essentially wrapping can then be artificially applied by All inertial navigation systems (INS) are with precision manufactured mirrors. interferometer using a semiconductor can have an advantage. These instruments during the challenging offshore market. and to do this will require new vehicle designs. another technology – the ability to which is based on a structural the components inside it. This makes software-controlled thrusters. built around an inertial measurement This acts as an active resonator for light source and an optical fibre coil, applications include, but are not trials was a Sonardyne Being particularly agile, it does not operate it remotely. spaceframe housing power and it possible to achieve a streamlined unit (IMU) which consists of three the two counter propagating light which provides the closed-loop path. limited to, nuclear submarines, SPRINT-Nav Combining Forssea’s Atoll – the require heavy logistical support electronics within its protective shape." The result is that by applying a accelerometers and three gyroscopes. waves. These light waves are reflected Fibre coil lengths vary from hundreds space exploration and certain observation-class ROV that offers and provides up to 70% savings The traditional approach of deploying "Rather than the control being body. The tools and thrusters are The ROV/garage can be used as a very light correction, the thrusters These components are essential to around the closed-loop path, using the to thousands of metres. surface applications, like weapons autonomous docking capabilities, compared to traditional methods. All ROVs has been from support vessels. carried out from the support vessel, then bolted onto this main support An advantage for an observation ROV standalone system, but be easily can produce quick and articulate estimate true north, attitude and mirrors, thousands of times to magnify stabilisation. For many of these with iXblue’s DriX Unmanned assets can be easily shipped to any Carrying out light intervention frame." is that it has to be as manoeuvrable integrated within traditional systems. we have built a 24-hour manned movement because they are not position. Specifically, heading accuracy the Sagnac effect. When combining In a FOG, similar to an RLG, the applications it is possible to Surface Vessel (USV) and its Gaps operation in the world at very short operations using smaller underwater shore-based mission support as possible. Conversely, however, If ROVs are required in two locations, fighting the rest of the body. The can be directly impacted by gyroscope the counter propagating waves, an counter propagating waves are spend pre-operational time on USBL embedded gondola, both notice and can be used from any vehicles, however, means that centre. We have one in Stavanger, Such ROVs typically have a very low many underwater vehicles are for example, say, one job requiring vehicle can, therefore achieve six performance. interference pattern is created and combined and the interference calibration and thereby achieve good companies are now offering a light opportunity vessel equipped these can be deployed from smaller, but this could be located anywhere hydrodynamic efficiency and are designed to be stable and remain Production: light intervention and the other for degrees of movement very easily. the resulting beat frequency can be pattern is used to estimate the performance from a FOG based new revolutionary method of LBL with a crane and with reduced crew less expensive vessels. Many ROV installing a subsea installation, the in the world. often quite large, but they keynote upright, fighting any attempt by The most commonly used gyroscope directly read out as a proportional rotation rate. However, with a FOG, solution. operation, making the very stable of a “dithering mechanism”, which is and/or larger systems. In recent transponders array deployment onboard. operators, Oceaneering included, of the design is its adaptability. transverse currents to overturn them. ROV/ garage could be lowered to "One way of maintaining stability technologies for high performance digital signal to the rotation rate. the proportional signal is a phase performance of an RLG better for high required in RLGs to avoid the lock-in customer-witnessed trials, a standard and calibration. have taken this idea to the next step, Most of the North Sea and some In order to primarily carryout the seabed en route to the main and forward moving efficiencies is to applications in the marine space difference and not a beat frequency. However, for applications where performance throughout the entire job. effect at low rotation rates. SPRINT-Nav 500 achieved straight line “From an operational point of view, reasoning that if the support vessel of the Gulf of Mexico can receive observation functions, however, "A typical design consists of an upper installation operation and be retrieved incorporate fins on the vehicle," said are ring laser gyroscopes (RLGs) and This means the FOG needs additional there are temperature variations, dead-reckoning performance better Forssea’s Atoll light-size using iXblue’s DriX with its Gaps USBL could be removed entirely, it would a 4G network and the rest have these are not the properties that the flotation unit supporting a lower afterwards having carried out its own Lindsø. "These may become an issue fibre optic gyroscopes (FOGs). Both electronics and signal processing to vibrations and where sensor "More than a decade ago, when "In many RLGs, including those we use, than 0.03% of distance travelled (DT) autonomous docking system, gondola combined with Atoll from enable considerable cost savings. some sort of satellite coverage. If designers were particularly looking body, in other words, the centre of work programme. when entering garages, but that is technologies seek to measure rotation correlate the phase difference to the error estimation would introduce choosing the inertial technology this dither mechanism is achieved by with a SPRINT-Nav 700 achieving designed to deploy and recover Forssea, offers companies big cost the subsea garage is located near for. buoyancy is located above the centre one of those compromises we have rates by taking advantage of the rotational rate. operational complexity, RLG for Sonardyne's SPRINT INS implementing a piezo element into the close to 0.01% DT. To put this into loads (up to 1 ton) from light savings opportunities,” explained One idea is to permanently install a platform, Oceaneering can use of gravity. The further these two "Today, ROVs are a very reliable with to make to find the optimal solution. Sagnac effect. technology is superior. These solutions for marine environment sensor design," said Christensen. "As perspective, one could dead-reckon opportunity offshore vessels, Régis Mortier, Technical Expert and the ROV offshore. The vehicle could its communications system to relay "Instead, we based the design on an points are apart, the more difficult it Benefits of RLGs for subsea applications an uptime well over 99%," said Lindsø. There is no perfect shape.” ERROR CHARACTERISTICS applications include most dynamic users, it was clear that RLG the piezo element is directly mounted across the 33km-wide Strait of Dover combined with iXblue’s DriX, a former Kaombo Survey Manager. be located on the platform, however, "Being installed subsea for up to six the signal down to the seabed exoskeleton in which the strength is for the ROV is to roll or pitch. This effect causes the propagation Even though the implementation of As previously mentioned, a FOG an important requirement for some subsea applications on both technology was superior from a to the active resonator and doesn’t and be within 3.3m when arriving at versatile USV. Using iXblue’s launch the downside is that this takes up months at a time, unmaintained, garage. an advanced stage of this vision and it said Lindsø. “Think of it as a a sufficient range, where only 17 achieves the closed-path loop by having and recovery system and advanced "In the case of an LBL deployment, time of light travelling along a closed- these two technologies are physically specific applications where short term remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) performance perspective," said include hinges or other moving parts, Calais," said Christensen. valuable and often unavailable however, puts a whole different goes under the umbrella name E-ROV,” hydrodynamically streamlined ROV or docking stations would be required Freedom ROV and its subsea garage loop path to depend on the rotation completely different, they both exhibit hundreds or thousands of metres of stability is important. and unmanned and autonomous Christensen."Moreover, we also it doesn’t change characteristic over autodocking capability, DriX can be for instance, one could use a PSV deckspace. emphasis on reliability. For more remote systems, one said Lindsø. alternatively, a hovering AUV. to cover the entire Norwegian rate of the gyro. similar error characteristics, which fibre coil to improve sensitivity to the underwater vehicles (AUV/UUV) as needed to select a gyro that was time, as supported by the extremely Crucially, to the end user, these deployed from any lifting device in instead of using an LCV which makes scenario is a floating buoy with a 4G Continental Shelf. Sue Denham directly affect system performance. Sagnac effect. However, this long fibre PICKING THE RIGHT GYRO well as some surface applications. robust and had a high MTFB. Based on high MTBF number. impressive results are achieved sea states up to level 3. a big difference. An alternative idea, particularly "A couple of years ago, we launched comms aerial. This connects to the "Last year, we worked up the prototype "Autonomous vehicles are not allowed Since their origins in the 1960s, RLGs loop also impacts the sensitivity to With this in mind, RLGs and FOGs these design requirements, we chose without any in-situ calibrations or with larger ROVs, is to permanently the eNovus, a large electric ROV aimed subsea garage by a jumper cable. version and overcame engineering to run close to assets. To obviate this "These criteria steered the designers have evolved to be the instrument of These error characteristics include other artefacts such as temperature can, simplistically, be divided into two For many of these applications it Honeywell’s GG1320 RLG, which was MORE THAN JUST A GYRO complex set up routines and can Thanks to its embedded Gaps "With this new combined solution, relocate the ROV in a garage on the at the light intervention market. We issues to a point where we could be problem, we intend to run vehicles to opt for a reasonably large vehicle choice for a wide range of applications, bias, noise, temperature and vibration changes, temperature accelerations, separate groups which are particularly is undesirable to spend expensive designed for and is used in almost all "But, picking the right gyroscope only be achieved due to the sensor pre-calibrated INS and USBL Forssea and iXblue are truly shaking sea floor. Using a single resident "We have looked at a number of confident that the concept was more autonomously between docking on the reasoning that doubling the Forssea’s Atoll observation-class ROV used this as a test bed to develop from space and aeronautics to guiding dependency, to mention a few. For magnetism and linear accelerations, well suited for specific environments. operational time calibrating the commercial airplanes, as the main isn’t the panacea for your INS. To characteristics of the RLG. No initial acoustic system with field-proven up conventional subsea operations.” vehicle to service large platform remote piloting, an important first tethering variations, but most than realistic. stations and then pilot them remotely range would not double the cost. The missiles and subsea navigation. Over sensor integrators and customers, etc. For applications in a vibration-free sensor on-site, as well as during the navigation sensor, and therefore have full control over the design and bias and very low environmental clusters makes this approach stage of operating any resident promising is to use the vehicle once they arrive on site. engineering work and autonomous the years, RLG technology has had it is important to understand how performance, robustness and high performance of our INS, we do not sensitivity means the highest system particularly cost-effective. underwater vehicle. We are now at garage itself as the anchor. “In doing so, we successfully learned software is also virtually the same to adapt to meet the very different these error characteristics manifest To separate the rotational signal from MTBF were key design goals." purchase complete IMU blocks, we performance is available to all practical lessons in the art of installing “We effectively started the Freedom for a small or large vehicle. Many of requirements set by each of these and how that causes gyros to perform these additional artefacts, calibration purchase individual gyroscopes and customers without adding complexity the ROV and garage subsea. At first, ROV design from a blank sheet of the components, too would be the missions and, as such, any general differently in various environments, is required. This is normally done Honeywell launched the GG1320 in accelerometers. to the operation. this operation took a relatively long paper. It has been designed to meet same for whatever size, although statement regarding performance so that they can select the most at system level where the IMU is 1995 and has since manufactured Freedom monitoring a subsea tree time but we are now looking to known challenges, but we suspect that larger vehicles would require greater may be correct for some, but is likely appropriate solution for their calibrated in the final housing. With more than 350,000 of them, making This has many advantages, like flexible To conclude, when compared to a FOG make improvements so that by the once it is fully operational, it will be buoyancy and battery capacities than incorrect for others. Therefore, it is application. RLGs, these artefacts do not impact it a very well proven and established IMU design and avoiding strict ITAR system, the RLG sensor characteristics next stage, we aim to decrease the perfectly suited to other tasks. smaller vehicles." very important to diligently select system performance and system level product. Additionally, 20 years ago, International Traffic in Arms (ITAR) provide: maximum deployment time for the a sensor with the right sensor Gyro biases cause the gyro to calibration is not required. Honeywell initiated a life programme, controls, which these technologies • No initial bias and negligible bias Mark II system down to two hours. "The design is essentially a In the design, the desired battery characteristics for your application. wrongfully output a rate signal, even enabling the company to confidently can be subject to on entry to the US. drift over time meaning no initial compromise between size, vehicle cost specifications became a big driver. when the gyro is at rest. For the RLG, In order to address the lock-in effect, state a GG1320 MTBF exceeding This means that all Sonardyne SPRINT or periodic calibrations is required OBSERVATION and system cost. In operation, we see Sensor characteristics include there are no initial bias errors as which causes undesirable behaviour 400,000 hours, based on in-service INS and SPRINT-Nav systems are not resulting in reduced operational Statistically, around 40% of the time that multiple garage docking stations "Contemporary battery development performance, life/mean time the beat-frequency is inherently at low rotation rates, an RLG data and not by extrapolating from restricted by ITAR and can be easily complexity. the vehicle is used underwater, it will be placed at different locations on is changing rapidly and we have between failure (MTBF), robustness, zero when the RLG is at rest. implements a dithering mechanism. component testing. exported around the world. • Resistance to environmental is for observation operations. This the seabed. The greater the range of compensated for this in the design. size, power consumption, etc. As With the FOG, however, a factory This mechanism on the other hand, impacts, including temperature application demands an altogether the vehicle, however, the fewer the If and when new battery technology an example, if the application is calibration at sensor level is required often limits an RLG in achieving the The GG1320’s high MTBF is "We’ve taken advantage of the changes and vibrations resulting different range of properties than from garages that will be required and this is becomes available, we have included a missile or torpedo, which would to establish a relationship between same low noise figure, specified by the achieved through carefully selected superior RLG characteristics, in- in robust performance in even the light intervention work. It favours a where vehicle cost versus system cost structures to accommodate it. We inherently live for only a short period the phase difference and zero angular random walk (ARW) number, components, a highly refined house designed IMU blocks and tight harshest marine environment highly manoeuvrable vehicle that can becomes a factor. also looked at fuel cells but decided of time, it would not be necessary to rotation in inertial space. This factory as can be achieved by a FOG. manufacturing process and having a integration with our Syrinx DVL to • Proven and robust technology move faster through the water to reach they would not be suitable inside the choose an RLG designed for long life. calibration, like all other calibrations, design without moving parts, although create SPRINT-Nav, a hybrid navigation with extremely high MTBF numbers the target quicker. "The longer the range means a more vehicle. We did think, however, that is subject to change over time and A low ARW specifies the random this is often wrongfully reported. sensor in a single compact unit, which based on fielded systems and not expensive vehicle, but that can be these may well have a place on the An RLG is a simple construction, Sonardyne’s SPRINT-Nav hybrid therefore initial biases are always angular drift caused by integration of The cause for this confusion could delivers performance previously extrapolated from components "We have designed such an addition balanced by savings on docking remote garage feeding power to the Advertising: consisting of a laser in a sealed cavity navigation instrument present. the gyro measurement and can be Sonardyne’s SPRINT-Nav hybrid navigation instrument installed on an ROV originate from the implementation reserved for much more expensive testing. to our fleet – the Freedom ROV," stations. We intend to design it for vehicle. 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Zinat Hassan [email protected] UNDERWATER VEHICLES BUOYANCY

For more information and a quotation, In the darkness... - Target sizing capability comes clarity - 360° sweep pattern UNDERWATER VEHICLES with a JW Fishers SCAN650 Sector Scan Sonar BUOYANCY Issue Two2019 - High resolution imagery BUOYANCY Tel: +44 (0) 845 6522 483 - User friendly software For more information and a quotation, - Commercial construction - ROV, pole or tripod mountable FLEXIBLE BUOYANCY - Starting at $6,995 Chris Sparrow of Unique Group’s Buoyancy & Ballast division 11 JUNE Southampton TO MULTIPLE AUV SEARCH explains how lift bags work. John Howes Reports LIFT BAG THEORY 2019 United Kingdom Ocean Infinity will work with the sufficient buoyancy onto the load. of the seabed at unparalleled speed. survey with the width or swath of an Over the past several decades, air The capacity of such buoyancy as it 13 ton bag weighs around 40 kg so a couple of people can Government of South Korea in the areal survey." lift bags and enclosed inflatable rises or falls through the water column handle them, as opposed to mechanical handling being search for the wreckage of the Rather than using a smaller number The AUVs are not tethered to their buoyancy bags have become a useful is subject to Boyle's Law – which allows required." ship Stellar Daisy, which was lost host vessel during operations, While such an arrangement may be subsea intervention tool. Buoyancy of larger air lift bags (ALBs), it is more for the calculation of the effect of on 31 March 2017. The vessel was common to have a larger number allowing them to go deeper and expensive, it is very effective. Running is sometimes viewed as a necessary hydrostatic pressure upon the volume of Seawork is open for business Enclosed bags can also be used to assist with final lost in the South Atlantic Ocean of smaller units for a balanced and Mobile: +44 (0) 781 1200 483 collect higher quality data for the six Hugins at once is cheaper and more evil, especially during installation the air inside such bags at any position positioning and subsea mating of HDPE plastic pipeline approximately 2500 nautical miles safer lift: if one of the bags becomes search. They are equipped with a effective than running one AUV for activities, but while the effects in the water column Reserve your place today and make the strings, commonly used for waste water outfalls or due east of Uruguay with 24 people compromised during the operation, variety of tools including side scan six times the distance and coverage. of using an inefficient buoyancy seawater intakes for power stations and the suchlike. contact us at [email protected] on board, whilst transporting iron ore sonar, a multi-beam echo-sounder The company says that this approach solution are often hidden, they can the larger number of bags spreads If filled at the surface and then then most of free marketing support from from Brazil to China. JW Fishers Mfg., Inc the risk. If the lift is to be followed HD camera, and synthetic aperture dramatically increases productivity and have a major impact on the overall taken down through the water column, Seawork and Maritime Journal - in print, The exact same principles can be applied to the by a tow, then depending upon the sonar. In addition, from the host reduces downtime – 'saving clients time costs of a project. the ever-increasing hydrostatic pressure online, eNews and social media. installation of cables and umbilicals, just with smaller Operations are expected to (800)822-4744 distance and the seastate, clients vessel, Ocean Infinity is able to and money with our ’one stop shop’ will compress the air inside the bag bags used to support the lesser of fiber optic or commence in January 2019. Ocean will sometime opt to add enclosed deploy two work class ROVs and multi-purpose vessel'. (508)822-7330 There are two main types of bag, so that it occupies less volume and power cable (such as the landing of export cables from Infinity will use its proven approach modules when the load is at the heavy lifting equipment capable of each suited for specific applications. therefore generates less uplift. As a bag offshore windfarms at the shore to be connected to the of deploying a fleet of Kongsberg surface to provide greater stability retrieving objects weighing up to 45T The system has been used to try and Email: [email protected] which is filled with air underwater rises Europe’s largest and only substation). Hugin autonomous underwater from 6000m. locate Malaysian Airlines MH370 . OPEN 'PARACHUTE' BAGS The most and contingency during the towing upwards, conversely, the hydrostatic vehicles (AUVs) simultaneously phase. on-water commercial marine www.jwfishers.com common type of bag used for lifting pressure decreases and the gas expands, Instead of attaching individual buoyancy modules along to search for Stellar Daisy. Upon 2 contact us at [email protected] "It is relatively common for survey Ocean Infinity donated 120,000 km materials up from the seabed are so increasing the amount of uplift which and workboat exhibition. the length of cable to be landed, Unique Seaflex has locating the wreck, there will be an Unique Seaflex ALBs are available in companies to employ AUVs which of data from the search for missing open ended bags or parachute bags. the bag provides – until such point as Landing of Mexilhao pipeline on Brazilian beach developed a novel continuous buoyancy tube called the extensive survey carried out using units up to 50t in capacity for tasks they can fly backwards and forwards Malaysian airliner to The Nippon Long and thin until inflated, when the bag reaches maximum capacity. SeaSerpent. This allows great controllability over the final the latest 3D imaging technology. such as reducing winch load when anything human or mechanical in their path – including the The pipeline (and bags) are fed out over the stinger, in a grid pattern to turn a linear Foundation-GEBCO Seabed 2030 Project they take on a more bulbous shape, Over 70 vessels and floating plant. positioning of the cable. survey into an areal survey," said a when it collected data from eight AUVs. they are generally attached to a load disconnecting FPSO mooring chains, This is why parachute-style bags are best bow thrusters of vessels up above. touching down on the seabed potentially several hundred Ocean Infinity is still fresh from the down to 25 kg bags designed to help metres away depending upon the bottom profile. Lowering European Commercial Marine Awards spokesman. by a diver and inflated via an airline suited to underwater lifting operations: "If the cable is lowered but misses the trench due to successful discover of the ARA San divers work with tools which would One vital feature of these bags, therefore, is an inverter it through the water column produces the opposite physical Ocean Infinity had committed to conduct to the surface - although sometimes the excess air generated during ascent (ECMAs) and Innovations Showcase. currents, for example, the entire SeaSerpent can be Juan, the Argentine Navy submarine Below :Hugin AUVs peing prepared for otherwise be difficult to manipulate attachment point in the crown of the bag . A separate line is effect upon the bag than raising it: as it descends, the "The Ocean Infinity system however, the search operation for up to sixty days, this is also done by ROV. to the surface can vent freely from their reinflated from the deck of the barge to lift and reposition which was lost on 15 November deployment underwater. to be attached to this point and tied off from the main load, increasing hydrostatic pressure compresses the air inside the Show your latest innovations in involve using a number of Hugin and to take on the economic risk of the SIDESCAN open undersides. the line, as opposed to having to send down divers to 2017. Below Right: Sidescan image taken from the so if the main connection to the load is broken, the bag up- bag to reduce its capacity. AUVs flying in formation each side of search, only receiving payment if the Once they are filled to the extent vessels, equipment and services to re-attach 100s or 1000s of individual floats. This is a major COUGAR FOR ROYAL NEW ZEALAND NAVY AUVs High resolution sonar imaging EdgeTech’s unique tri-frequency Whilst these bags may look fairly ends, releasing the air inside but otherwise rendering the the boat, to essentially fly a linear submarine was found. that their capacity exceeds the over 7,700 maritime professionals. functional benefit: the SeaSerpent stays is only removed In the early hours of 17 November, systems and underwater side scan sonar frequency innocuous, do not be deceived: the bag harmless. This accelerating descent makes inflatable buoyancy less Norway-based Østensjø Rederi has states specified by the Royal New Østensjø Rederi concluded that the weight of the load, the load will rise Enclosed bags are invariably fitted with once the client is satisfied the cable is in the correct after two months of seabed search, technology developers,EdgeTech, combination of 75 / 230/ 410 power of air underwater is something suitable for use in deeper water, but when pulling into shore chosen a Saab Seaeye Cougar XT Zealand Navy was of paramount Cougar with a modified dipping and from the seabed and head towards pressure release valves (PRVs), however, position.” supplied the side scan sonar kHz enables the host AUV to to be reckoned with, and allowed for. "While there is no legislation concerning open-ended bags, from a barge positioned 10-20m of water the effect is either underwater robotic vehicle as a importance. This set a special focus extending LARS with snubber, heave Ocean Infinity located what has now the surface. They are often used for during a free ascent from more than a been confirmed as the wreckage of technology was used to help find perform long range searches If the connection between them and recommendations for the safe design manufacture, testing, calculated to be negligible across the entire pull (given that deployable resource aboard its multi- on the LARS and its position inside the compensation and electric winch salvage operations, and are a viable handful of metres’ depth, the air inside Another application for closed bags is in shallow water the ARA San Juan. The submarine the missing Argentine submarine, in deep water, with the middle the load were to fail, this can turn operation and servicing of such equipment is covered the capacity will automatically recover as the pipeline and purpose support vessel Edda Fonn. vessel, with the Cougar launched from motors, was the best solution. way of lifting up to 1000 would expand so rapidly that the PRVs salvage operations. was found in a ravine in 920m of ARA San Juan. and higher frequency providing tons – beyond which it can become them into projectiles accelerating up would inevitably become overloaded by IMCA D016 guidelines," said Chris Sparrow, Global bag are pulled into shallower water at the shore, or can be a mezzanine deck inside the vessel’s added resolution for better target Sales Manager of Unique Seaflex. "Unfortunately, not all compensated for via periodic reinflation via an airline from a The company has been contracted water, approximately 600 km east of difficult to find space to attach the water column and colliding with leading to rupture of the canopy and ROV hangar. Along with the LARS, the complete The deep water search was identification. manufacturers – even some of those who make liberal use workboat at the surface. "Only the proportion of the bag under the water is to deliver the Edda Fonn to the New Comodoro Rivadavia in the Atlantic loss of the bag. system includes a standard Cougar performed by Ocean Infinity and of the IMCA logo – are supplying bags which can be proven generating uplift so the use of tall parachute bags when Zealand Ministry of Defence with Ocean. When evaluating the optimum system, XT with minor modification to it’s advanced fleet of 6000m The ARA San Juan was imaged by to comply with those guidelines. Once the pipeline is landed, divers can the vent the air working in 3-4m water depth is inefficient as only a an integrated ROV and dive system This effect is most notable during the include three cameras and sonar rated autonomous underwater the EdgeTech sonar operating at inside using differential pressure via an airline to the surface proportion will be providing any lift," said Sparrow. "A amongst its upgrades. The ship will In Argentina, Ocean Infinity used five final few metres of an ascent or the first system, together with its tether vehicles (AUV) equipped with a frequency of 230kHz and a 400 One simple example: IMCA state that such bags must where the bag will “see” the lower pressure at the surface more common practice to refloat a grounded vessel Published by UT2 Publishing for and subsequently be used by the Royal Hugin AUVs to carry out the search, few metres of descent: setting aside management system and would be to securely attach lower-profile enclosed -type which was conducted by a team of EdgeTech 2205 Side Scan . meter range scale. demonstrate a safety factor of 5 to 1, and that the and so the air up and out through the hose. The bag New Zealand Navy. three individual tool skids with any mitigation provided by PRVs, the bags to the hull at low , and simply wait for high tide. approximately 60 crew members volume of air will double between a approved way to demonstrate this is to fill an example of can then be safely retrieved under zero load, compared to manipulators, cutters and water each design with water and drop then catch it in a test rig a rigid steel or plastic buoyancy module which will retain all To meet the Navy’s exacting on board Seabed Constructor. depth of 10m and the surface and be jetting system. to exert an overload on it at least equal to 5 times the WLL. its kinetic energy and so once released from the pipeline operational requirements, Østensjø In addition, three officers of the halved between the surface and a depth Not not every manufacturer can prove they can meet that will immediately surge towards the surface at high velocity: Rederi expanded and extended Argentine Navy and four family of 10m. Whilst the effect is still there at The 2000m rated Cougar XT’s safety benchmark.” a projectile weighing in many cases well over a ton. This is the technical specification for the members of the crew of the ARA San greater depths, the curve is not linear maneuverability comes from its one of the major safety benefits of using inflatable buoyancy complete system including Juan joined Seabed Constructor to and so it would be at 30m depth rather six thrusters, each interfaced ENCLOSED BAGS Inflatable bags can provide support for for such tasks, compared to solid alternatives. the Cougar, the observe the search operation. than at 20m depth that a module giving Also returning in 2019 with a fast-acting control system loads at the surface, and also be used to help lower loads control room, and 5t of uplift at the surface would be and solid-state gyro for enhanced from the surface to the seabed. Inflatable buoyancy also packs down small. “We can send Speed@Seawork in particular, the Ocean Infinity’s permanently reduced to 1.25t of uplift. Sea Trials & Conference azimuth stability and control. The 200 bags by air freight reasonably economically and get 500 Launch and mobilised ocean search capability 10JUNE Southampton compact 1.5 metre size footprint The attachment of inflatable modules to steel O&G t of capacity into a single 20 foot container. You'd be lucky TO Recovery System is claimed to be the most Sometimes this effect needs to be 2019 UK makes it easy to mobilise, pipelines is designed to reduce stresses on the pipeline to get 30 or 40 t of solid buoyancy into a 40 ton container, 11 on behalf of the Society for Underwater (LARS). yet despite its small size, it technologically advanced in the compensated for via topping up or world. Their Hugins are capable Open parachute-type lift venting air from the surface, sometimes itself as well as to reduce load on the winch as the pipeline making our solution much easier and cheaper to transport has the power to handle passes down through the water column to touchdown on and to store, and resulting in a lower carbon footprint. The ability to safely of operating in water depths from bags used in boat salvage it actually becomes part of the a wide range of heavy the seabed. They can also be very easily worked with onsite: a five launch the Cougar in sea tooling. 5m–6000m and covering vast areas engineering solution. For more information visit: seawork.com Power cable being landed using the SeaSerpent contact: +44 1329 825335 Organised by: or email: [email protected] Media partners: 29 BOATINGBUSINESS Technology. 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YES! SITE VISIT SUBCON, ACEPT AND FARSTAD MAP LAUNCHES EMBARK AIS 6 HD CAMERAS FOR ROV OVERLAY FUNCTIONALITY November the 29th SMART Digital marine cartography and Naomi Naveh, SUT YES! Committee Member, Young Engineers and Scientist (YES!) cloud-based mapping company, C-MAP, announced today the A Young Engineers and Scientist We had a quick morning tea on the bus; The 360 degree bridge simulator felt SUBSEA launch of new AIS functionality for (YES!) 2018 site visit was held pizzas, scones and apples, and headed so real it got us feeling seasick. We the Embark navigation app. The between ACEPT, Subcon and up to Subcon. arrived back in Perth around 4.30 pm of any advertisement, particularly new feature allows users to see Farstad after a full day. boats around them in real time At Subcon Matt Allen gave us a light- SOLUTIONS with AIS data overlaid directly on We spent the morning at ACEPT; hearted talk about his journey up to The day wouldn’t have been possible their charts. Enhancing the C-MAP TAFE’s Australian Centre for Energy starting Subcon. We learnt about the without the generous host sites Embark experience, the overlay is and Process Training, where Matt design of their artificial reefs and their or Woodside and Quadrant for designed to help boaters plan and Horbach split the group into implementation around WA. sponsorship of the event. A big thank navigate with confidence and, most two and we went off to tour the you from YES! goes out to them. importantly, focus on having fun. facility. We learnt about process We then checked out the Subcon instrumentation, the training in warehouse and their mattresses, grout With the addition of AIS their simulation room and watched bags and artificial structures in S2C TECHNOLOGY: COMMUNICATION AND TRACKING COMBINED functionality, Embark users can trainees learning the ropes in the the yard. A yummy BBQ was held on now see boats within a 54 nm control room. the Subcon roof where we got talking - time, space and cost - saving solutions (100 km) radius, as well as each amongst ourselves and relaxed for an - low power consumption for autonomous operations infringement of copyrights, trademarks, vessel’s position, speed and course, Outside we had a closer look at the hour. - advanced data delivery algorithms, addressing and networking, remotely configurable settings running processing plant where the at a glance. These valuable chart - extendable platform with multiple configuration options: power-saving Wake Up module, acoustic releaser, overlays enhance situational separation of oil, water and nitrogen Last stop was the Farstad Shipping awareness and help guide users in was happening in a closed loop. On Offshore Simulation Centre. Farstad was additional sensors, custom solutions, OEM versions available low visibility, high traffic or other the second round we checked out great fun with the ability to test our challenging situations. the material testing equipment and skills as crane operators, deckhands and the student workshops. offshore vessel operators. Simulator USBL POSITIONING SYSTEMS LBL POSITIONING SYSTEMS C-MAP Embark provides free high- quality nautical maps along with simultaneous positioning and communication - no need highly accurate, precise and stable performance, navigation, traffic and weather information to help boaters plan to switch between positioning mode and modem mode simultaneous positioning and data transmissions their next trip on the water. User- friendly maps can be personalized Subsea Awareness 5-Day Course - flexible SiNAPS positioning software - flexible SiNAPS positioning software based on boaters’ needs, then - reliable data transmissions - reliable data transmissions intellectual property rights and patents, downloaded with routes, waypoints - range: up to 8000 m - range: up to 8000 m and tracks – all accessible off-line accuracy: up to 0.04 degrees accuracy: better than 0.01 m for a stress-free time on the water. 11-15 March 2019 Aberdeen - -

Meet us at HD cameras for simec’s new Alpha Trencher Do you want to know about subsea? UNDERWATER ACOUSTIC MODEMS OCEANOLOGY forward in their commitment to INTERNATIONAL C-Tecnics Subsea Electronics has Understand the full lifecycle of subsea oil and gas, from field developments inception through to reliable data transmissions even in adverse conditions, fulfilled an order for six high definition supporting offshore service providers. AMERICAS 2019 decommissioning sharing experiences and operational lessons learned – presented by technical customizable R-series modems, light and compact M-series underwater inspection cameras to be “mini” modems, new S2CM - HS high-speed modem, installed on Simec Technologies’ latest Established in 1979, Simec has authorities and experienced personnel from operators, contractors and technical specialists. 25 - 27 February 2019 special editions for developers, S2C communication and ROV. specialised in the design and San Diego Convention Center, CA manufacture of subsea vehicles positioning emulator - remote access or standalone device The Society for Underwater Technology Subsea Awareness Course is widely recognised by the industry nor liability for misrepresentations, The batch of model ‘CT3017’ titanium expertly suited to subsea cable Meet us at Stand D32 HD cameras, each providing full 1080p removal, burial and inspection globally and has been adopted by many as the foundation course for a wide range of personnel, - range: up to 8000 m OCEAN BUSINESS definition picture quality and rated to operations, while the ‘Alpha 8.1’ is both technical and non-technical; suitable for operators, contractors and industry associated organisations - depth: up to 6000 m 4000m depth, will bolster the arsenal added to an already impressive fleet of 2019 for example; legal, finance, government organisations. - data rate: up to 62.5 kbps of Simec’s newest work-class trencher. ROV’s which have operated all over the EVOLOGICS 9 - 11 April 2019 globe. Aberdeen-based C-Tecnics, who This course provides the complete underpinning for new entrants and a refresher for experienced National Oceanography Centre have specialised in the manufacture The new ROV has lately completed its personnel wishing to update their knowledge within the oil and gas subsea sector. Southampton, UK of underwater cameras and lights factory acceptance tests and wet trials, more than 30 years, were awarded and is expected to be complete and Stand E6 the contract, marking another step ready to enter service in early 2019. C-MAP Embark Visit our website for more information www.sut.org EvoLogics GmbH www.sut.org Ackerstrasse 76, tel.: +49 30 4679 862 - 0 [email protected] false or misleading statements and 13355 Berlin, Germany fax: +49 30 4679 862 - 01 evologics.de Power cable being landed using the SeaSerpent 33 34 36 illustrations. These are the sole responsibility of the advertiser. Opinions of the writers are not necessarily those of VEHICLES X-PRIZE SONAR the SUT or the publishers. 1 www.teledynemarine.com2www.teledynemarine.com 3

X-PRIZE

UNDERWATER VEHICLES UNDERWATER VEHICLES UNDERWATER VEHICLES UNDERWATER VEHICLES Same Real-Time 3D Visualization WHAT IS THE GetGet 7 7 years years X_PRIZE? in an all new package X-PRIZE X-PRIZE is a global umbrella competition incorporating a COMPETITION KUROSHIO PISCES series of sub-contests. One such 3400 TEAM TAO is the Ocean Discovery X-PRIZE, Commission (IOC) of UNESCO (United autonomously map the seafloor for About 71% of the earth's surface is Like many participants, the Japanese The approach of the Center for sponsored by Shell to the tune of accurate geo-referencing of sensory of extra peace Team Tao is an UK/Chinese venture Nations Educational Scientific and The self-righting of extra peace Robotics and Autonomous Systems data. Communications system uses a SUB-BOTTOM long time periods and in a wide variety holding three main principles: Perfectly sized for USV, UUV, and Vessel Deployments covered by water, but more is known KUROSHIO team envisaged an $7 million. Cultural Organisation). GEBCO is the only Maxlimer SEA-KIT at INESC TEC revolves around the dual band RTK GPS receiver. It is armed of ocean environments. minimal localised complexity, self- about the surface of the moon than autonomous underwater vehicle international project with a mandate PROFILER unmanned surface development of PISCES – Cooperative with thermographic and a visible sustainability and scalability. the bottom of the ocean. The Shell (AUV) towed to the operations site Under the title of 'Discovering the to map the floors of the global oceans. vessel X-prize was set up to promote the by an unmanned surface vessel Robots for Deep Ocean Exploration. Mysteries of the Deep Sea', its aim spectrum cameras as well as a RADAR SEAKIT USV The partners, Nippon Foundation, For the unmanned surface vehicle development of technology that (USV). is to develop rapid, unmanned and used for large obstacle detection. The group says that it is departing is a private, non-profit foundation used to carry, deploy and retrieve the 4G® could rebalance this. The project is based on the high resolution technologies to map from the commercially accepted 4G® Echoscope Surface established in 1962. AUV, the group selected the impact- Echoscope This surface vehicle is used autonomous boat Roaz and the the . A 3D Velodyne LIDAR allows close ofof mind mind.. approach of high value complex deepwater AUV, DART. There are also range environment 3D modelling and safe and self-righting Maxlimer SEA-KIT assets (AUVs) and want to The trials which will eventually to monitor the underwater Their proposal is based on the two other/smaller ASVs that travel obstacle detection. Amongst the tools, unmanned surface vessel built by redirect the market to use determine the X-Prize winner have vehicle’s position and The competition rules prohibit contention that all the required BuildingBuilding upon upon the the extensive extensive track track at the surface in coordination with are an Imagenex Sportscan side scan Hushcraft. multiple, simple, low value assets been completed and the winners speed using underwater manned support vessels and the technology elements, such as multibeam will be announced in due course. acoustics. This information is the other vehicles, providing acoustic recovery of the underwater vehicles sonar, a single beam echo sounder and recordrecord of successfulof successful subsea subsea operations operations which, when collaborating, form sonar, underwater navigation, This surface vehicle features passive This will NOT be an easy job. It will then relayed via satellite to the team’s pings for the DART navigation system must be carried out autonomously. an Imagenex DeltaT multibeam sonar. a complex and industry leading autonomous undersea vehicles, motion damping, stable single- try to determine the most successful land base, with remote control signals to triangulate its position. It is a kind All of the data-gathering system conductedconducted thanks thanks to toour our AHRS AHRS and and INS, INS, survey ecosystem. The ROAZ and DART unmanned surface vessels, data transfer compartment flooding, and is able to technology in a field in which being transmitted back. Jamstec's AUV-NEXT of an 'underwater GPS'. components must fit into one 40ft Although the range (altitude) is quite Marlin AUV limited (10m,) the main purpose of Image INESC TEC systems, remote control systems self-deploy and stow its sea anchor. we weare are happy happy to toannounce announce that that all all new new There are two main components. there will always be more than one shipping container. and data processing, are all currently solution. The underwater vehicle selected by ROAZ ASV the echo sounder is to provide the Inside, is the automated AUV launch available. and recovery system with tethering purchasepurchase of iXblueof iXblue inertial inertial subsea subsea Kuroshio to carry out the trials was This AUV underwent a major re- The Roaz ASV is a not only the In June 2016, the first round calibration for the surface-based Amongst the equipment on board is a fibre optic gyro for inertial navigation. One is a WAM-V surface modelling last year. Coming in slightly transportation, launch and recovery long range bathymetry sensor. If it and towing. It also contains the Ranger 2 Gyro Directional ultra short It is powered by a 44.4kWh battery catamaran, responsible for On the day of the final trials, some JAMSTEC's AUV-NEXT autonomous The AUV-NEXT is powered by Lithium commenced with 32 teams being Their aim, therefore, is to not to reinvent productsproducts will will include include a 7-yeara 7-year warranty* warranty* shorter than the AUV-NEXT at 5.5m in system for the AUV, but also a host is necessary to increase swath, this auxiliary systems for positioning and baseline (SBL) system and a 120mm for extended range applications. horizontal transit, data handling teams were adversely affected by underwater vehicle. Launched in Ion batteries which gives it an judged against 11 key measurement equipment but to leverage and integrate length. It has a hull width of 1.4m and for the acoustic emitter for long multibeam echo sounder may be GEBCO-NE communication. and communications. At its bad weather more than others. Of 2018, the AUV is 5.6m long, but endurance of over 24 hours. criteria to determine their basic ARGGONAUT existing technology, by developing strong a height of 0.9m, which all results in its range bathymetry. It is a 4.2m long replaced by another with a larger centre is a vending machine-type course this was the same for all characterised by a large, near-circular capabilities in meeting the The General Bathymetric Chart of partnerships with technology and service the entrants. Other groups were cross section, boasting a hull width of An important part of the proposal was weighing only 550 kg. remotely-controlled electric powered requirements for unmanned and range. The Arggonaut team also proposed HUGIN AUV device deploying the main drone the Oceans (GEBCO) movement is providers. Meanwhile, the team used the HUGIN MARLIN affected by problems emanating 1.8m and a height of 1.7m. that it was to use more than one type catamaran capable of autonomous wide-area ocean floor exploration. AUV/USV arrangement but argued CFIS payload. a joint project of the International AUV, ‘Chercheur’, owned and operated from third party technology. These of AUV. Kuroshio, therefore, included During deployment, the AUV is latched operation of up to 8hrs. By the time of the second round of DART that the seabed could be more Pressure Neutral LED flash (developed Of all X Prize finalists, Ocean 120mm fibre optic gyro for inertial CFIS is a non-profit organisation where individual AUVs carry out their Hydrographic Organisation (IHO) and Their concept is based on a two- • Pole Mount or Tow by Ocean Floor Geophysics (OFG). companies must hope that the It weighs 2300kg and can attain a another vehicle – the AE-Z AUV from to longitudinal floats and towed to testing occurred, the numbers were The DART is essentially a customised efficiently explored by a swarm rather with GEOMAR Kiel) Engineering stands as the only entry navigation. It is powered by a 44.4kWh dedicated to developing and own individual surveys and we can These subsea drones are ejected the Intergovernmental Oceanographic system AUV-USV arrangement that can This came with HISAS interferometric examiners appreciate that these top speed of 4.5kts. It can operate in the Institute of Industrial Science at site by a surface vessel. It can then be It can travel at 10kts It was originally reduced to only eight. deep water version of the AUV than a single underwater vehicle. • CHIRP Transmission from a University – the students and battery for extended range applications deploying scalable technology for combine their readings into a model from the vehicle and descend synthetic aperture sonar, multibeam, problems would probably not water depths up to 4000m. the University of Tokyo. released on command to commence developed as an R&D marine with a new 5000m rated housing. Its neutral LED flash units and a Zeiss alumni of Texas A&M University. and expandable payloads. exploring the oceans. once back onshore. vertically down wards through the • Integrated Motion & sub-bottom profiler, OFG Self- occur if and when the technology the survey. robotics testbed and used to The second and final challenge, keynote is its modularity, with a single Called the Great Diver, the AUVs are Distagon lens cameras housed in a water column. Depth Sensors Compensating Magnetometer, water becomes fully commercialised. demonstrate robotic life rafts/search commencing last November, was pressure housing holding all batteries 230cm in length and have a 50cm pressure chamber. The project is based on the Marlin It has a liquid cooled intelligence "What I am trying to build is a cheap, "We are currently talking to a couple Manoeuvring the Hugin chemistry sensors, acoustic modem, The ASV chosen for the project was and rescue operations as part of the to be held in Peurto Rico, however, and electronics. width. They are powered by electric • Dual Transmitter AUV, designed by the Texas A&M package mass-producable AUV ," said Toby of USV providers to see if we can get At the top of the vertical drone is into the Seakit ASV and a state-of-the-art positioning Many companies, especially built by Mitsui. It is 5.3m in length and ICARUS project. extensive infrastrucutre damage motors and use rudders for steering. Deploying the AUV is the unmanned and built in close collaboration with Jackson, principal of CFIS, " which it incorporated into their systems." an acoustic positioning system/ • Multi-Channel system. the ones developing brand-new has a hull width of 2.2m. Weighing from Hurricane Maria caused The subsystems are installed in flooded According to plans, each Great Diver inflatable catamaran Wave Strider. industry. The 21ft (7m) vehicle uses The Marlin AUV is designed to be can be scaled up to map a large part comms unit above a sideways- 2 technology, suggested that they 1800kg, it is able to operate at a Precise positioning is enabled by organisers to rethink their plans. sections, however, to work in deeper can map 75 km in 20 hours Measuring 594cm in length and 287cm Hydrophone Receiver unique methodology to survey the launched and recovered from the of the ocean rather than using large The AUVs are 3.2m in length and pointing camera and LED lighting 4G® 4G® Its Kongsberg HiPAP System was used Echoscope C500 Echoscope C500 Surface could have benefitted by a delay of speeds of 20kts. an inertial navigation system giving Eventually Kalamata, Greece, was waters, the central housing is replaced in width, it is powered by a pair of 5hp ocean floor. 26ft Wahoo unmanned catamaran a AUV that is capable of looking at a weigh 140kg. They have a cruising array. • “Pipe Line” Mode for the positioning of the AUV as well another month or two, until after selected as the base for the teams by a glass cylinder to withstand the Bathymetry is achieved with motors. provided by Deep Down. This has small area in very high detail. speed onf 6kt and a maximum speed 4G® as command and data link to the AUV The Echoscope Series is the 4th generation of the patented Coda Octopus the winter storms have abated, to launch their technologies. These extreme . It is powered by 110kHz, 20W interferometric sonar Amongst the equipment on board an in-house station-keeping system, of 8kt. They are rated to 5000m poing lightweight drones carry and to shore facility. Echoscope® technology, the world’s only real-time 3D volumetric sonar that intimating that the overall project were launched, by water or air into a pair of thrusters for longitudinal Bathyswath from ITER Systems. Flying This is also is responsible for receiving is a Ranger 2 Gyro Directional ultra 2m satellite dish and a data package "Each costs around $70,000 and bespoke imaging sonar, and development was not by a sprint, the 500km2 competition area. motion and another pair for vertical 85m above sebed gives it a 1000m and transmitting GPS referencing short baseline (SBL) system and a provided by SES | Networks. The vessel the plan is to deliver even cheaper "Much of the AUV is taken up by a 360deg photography and lighting. visualizes moving objects underwater, even in zero visibility conditions. Now but a marathon. BLUE DEVIL OCEAN ENGINEERING motion and it is this that gives the swath width and better than 1m underwater. The positioning is carried The autonomous navigation and versions over the next 10 years. 14kWh Li-ion battery which gives it a At the base is a contra-rotating AUV tracking capabilities were with a reduced form factor, higher resolution imaging, and a wealth of new The Blue Devil Ocean Engineering the drones and the data is The teams had to map at least half AUV a hover capability," said Nuno resolution. out by GNSS ATLAS and broadcast duration of 30hrs. thruster. Around its waist is made possible through custom Nevertheless, it was a competition group consists of members of the downloaded. of the area at a resolution of 5m Cruz, Research Coordinator, Robotics underwater to the great Divers by S2C "We considered developing a a downward-pointing high software features, including consolidated images from multiple sonars, the developed automation and software and there is only one winner - except Duke University Pratt School of horizontally and 0.5m vertically, and Autonomous Systems, INESC Vehicle navigation is guided with a R 7/17 Hydroaacoustic USBL modems swarming system with the AUVs able "To keep costs down, we have resolution sonar encased in a 4G in conjunction with KONGSBERG’s Echoscope series is that there could well be far more Engineering and The Nicholas School Blue Devil laid plans to map the identifying and imaging at least TEC. "Being able to hover brings Sonardyne SprintNav 300 INS/DVL from Evologics. to communicate with each other, but only the basics such as an Inertial protective carbon fibre hoop. 2 K-MATE common autonomous control Your Eyes Underwater. than one winner. Different designs of the Environment. required 500km of ocean floor ten archeological, biological or great advantages with close-up video (inertial navigational system (optical reasoned that this was over-complex Measurement Unit and fluxgate The battery pack lies below and The Great Diver AUVs engine. may prove suitable for different using a 100-element grid of water geological features in depths down inspection." gyros), Doppler velocity log) as well and a better solution was a cloud, compass, but we have also at its base are contra-rotating applications and the X-Prize has Their aim is to map the ocean volume columns at a specified point. Once to 4000m, all within 24 hours. as an Evologics Acoustic USBL/LBL incorporated a LIDAR system in the thrusters. proved a wonderful platform rather than area. The concept completed, the drone picks up The vehicle power is provided by modems (inverted ultra short It was developed in a collaboration payload." concluded Jackson. between Kongsberg Maritime and to spotlight the range of new revolves around dropping sonar the pod and drops it at another Determining the accuracy of a rechargeable Li-Ion batteries, which baseline, inverted moving They transfer data between FFI, the Norwegian Defence Research technology. pods from heavy lift UAVs or drones, location to repeat the process. survey is only possible if the results store up to 800Wh of energy. The long baseline). It has deployment. Establishment, and builds on the into the water. As they descend can be compared with a baseline. designers, however, have specified an a target accuracy HUGIN AUV System. The GEBCO-NF Eight teams that reached the last and subsequently resurface, they The sonar data is processed Beforehand, therefore, Fugro was large compartment to allow different of 0.6m at 4000m The designers say that unloke Alumni Team’s data processing solution round. They offered a spectrum measure the ambient environment. simultaneously on cloud-based tasked to provide high resolution batteries to be installed should the depth. conventioal AUVs, the drones, uses Teledyne Caris components and Contact our sales team or visit our website to learn more of ideas, some broadly similar servers to generate a bathymetry deepwater baseline bathymetry need arise. The AUV has a drop weight rated to 4000m depth, look at the the development was undertaken with *Note*Note that that the the warranty warranty does does not not cover cover connectors connectors but all with unique attributes and The pods are then retrieved by map. data over the whole competition in the nose. This is released at the On board the Great The Wahoo catamaran ASV water column as a whole and not assistance from the company. advantages. area. desired depth. Dives are pressure and/orand/or water water ingress. ingress. The CFIS AUV just at the seabed.

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 SOCIETY FOR UNDERWATER TECHNOLOGY SUBSEA EQUIPMENT

Modelling | Measurement | Mitigation TeChnoloGy SoluTionS & UNDERWATER VEHICLES VEHICLES UNDERWATER EQUIPMENT UNDERWATER EQUIPMENT enVironMenTAl SerViCeS

UNMANNED SURFACE VESSELS AS A HUGIN SUPERIOR COMMUNICATIONS GATEWAY COSTCOST REDUCTIONREDUCTION STRATEGIESSTRATEGIES by Phil Johnston, AutoNaut Ltd RELIABILITY Kongsberg Maritime has recently "Suitable fuel cells are not currently tool for the subsea sector. The HUGIN All companies increasingly look Reliability is very important, particularly released its flagship HUGIN Superior commercially available for use in Superior not only incorporates the For almost all sub-sea technology, a consist of numerous individual proprietary format or protocol might Many modern systems are powered by Lithium Ion for ways of reducing costs. Olivier in the extreme environments of the autonomous underwater vehicle subsea environments. Another main EM2040 mk II multibeam, but also link to the surface is vital. By either subsystems, which may work well have advantages, for the customer batteries, however, these have drawbacks when it comes to Cervantes (Title here please) of iXblue subsea sector. (AUV) which boasts significantly challenge of fuel cells in underwater the latest HISAS 1032 Dual Receiver using a physical tether or through- independently but the value comes this is incompatible with free market transportation and maintenance. looks at some of the strategies within iXblue's inertial navigational system has enhanced data, positioning and vehicles is the storage of fuel (e.g. Synthetic Aperture Sonar (SAS). water communications, the link can when they are joined together. selection. Unless handled carefully, the technology can be potentially his own company. stood the test of time. endurance capabilities. hydrogen) and oxygen and the fact be used to transmit information on If part of the system such as the dangerous and as such, requires handling and operating

that consumption of the fuel will “In many ways, SAS is relatively new diagnostic status, precise position interfacing or connectors is the "Last year, for example, market research procedures, as well as training. The aspiration of any successful "We launched PHINS, back in 2001. This “A key feature of the traditional change the weight and trim of the to the commercial sector,” said HUGIN acoustic pings to form an image and for data upload. wrong choice, then this potentially suggested that there was to be a 1 Quality Court, Chancery Lane supplier is to provide what the impacts unfavourably on the entire gradual demand for greater integration uses a standard telecom technology HUGIN design is its versatility, entire vehicle. This may require the R&D Manager Bjørn Gjelstad. "While with much higher resolution than a iXblue, therefore, decided to use the safer Alkaline customer wants. In today's market, components used with proven lifetime giving the clients considerable introduction of high-pressure active the technology was actually developed traditional side scan sonar. Whether a simple “assurance check” product. This is why integration is very between the inertial navigational batteries, however, in association with smart electronics same spot on the this typically translates as lower and reliability and three fibre optic latitude to configure the vehicle ballasting systems, which again adds about a decade ago, this has largely or an upload of months of data, the important. system (INS) and the Doppler velocity that saves battery time, the tranponder has a longer sea floor over several costs, either directly, or by reducing log (DVL). gyros (FoG), three accelerometers The SeaRaptor is a survey grade deep water autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) designed depending on their specific survey complexity and weight to the vehicles. been the domain of the military, which Furthermore, the along-track pings as the vehicle moves forward. expense and increased safety risks lifetime than many units on the market. operational time but with no and system electronics. Units have Specialising in and noise measurement, the Seiche Water requirements,” said Even Børhaug, used the devices to look for mines and resolution is range independent, of deploying a conventional vessel INTEGRATION Using coherent reorganization of the compromise on performance, demonstrated over 100 000hrs mean Product Line Manager, Marine The designers instead, decided to take distinguish unexploded ordnance from providing consistent along-track for such tasks can be prohibitive. "On a larger scale, we believe vertical "Our high-accuracy inertial navigation All transponders require calibration. Calibrating the Technology Group provides marine technology and environmental service solutions data from multiple pings one can reliability or QHSE (Quality, health, time between failure (MTBF) with the Robotics at Kongsberg Maritime. advantage of the advances in lithium rocks. resolution throughout the entire needing to acquire an external Unmanned Surface Vessels integration (where the company is system, PHINS, is one of our flagship Canopus, can be easily carried out using the DriX. for the oil and gas, renewables, defence, construction and marine science sectors. build a synthetic image with high safety, environment). FOG itself boasting an MTBF higher “Although though the vehicles look ion battery technology driven by other swath. With traditional side scan position fix. (USVs) offer key advantages as a responsible for all the processes in its tools. It provides position, true heading, While it encircles the transponder, a Ramses acoustic resolution. In the HUGIN Superior, we than 400 000hrs. superficially similar across the range, sonars there are always a trade-off “communications gateway”. supply chain) is the best way forward attitude, speed, depth and heave for synthetic baseline positioning system located in DrIx's • Digital thin line arrays for autonomous vehicles • Modular buoy systems • MicroPAM industries. Pressure-tolerant Lithium "It is only more recently that it has employ the HISAS1032 Dual Receiver, Technology can enable a big part there can be quite difference in Ion batteries are probably still most become more available to commercial between resolution and range: high Another feature of synthetic aperture in order to push the limits of the deep water operations. gondola measures the range to the transponder on the which is twice as long as a standard of value creation, but it is not the "In total, Phins systems have • PAM • Digital hydrophones • Camera monitoring systems • Sound Source Verification what they bring. efficient and safest power source. customers who wish to make use of resolution means short range and sonar is that it can also derive Crucially, an offshore-capable USV technology." seabed. HISAS1032. The increased length whole picture. The product needs accumulated over 3 million functioning the same clearer images. long range means lower resolution. bathymetry. In the past, the vehicles can free up valuable ship time. This "We developed it around 20 years ago means that it is possible to go twice other invisible attributes such as hours and because we have so many "We designed the HUGIN Superior When not used for extending mission would get bathymetry information is particularly true in the case of Few companies, however, can when everyone else was using long PARTNERSHIP www.seiche.com | [email protected] | UK: +44 (0)1409 404050 the speed or alternatively, achieve communications, technical support systems on the field and we understand as a statement to show its potential endurance, the extra available power “The latest HISAS 1032, however, “Travelling at 2.5ks, the new from the multibeam echo sounder renewables-powered USVs that are deliver all the services a customer baseline (LBL) systems for positioning. "Our philosophy is do what we do well, and buy in third twice the range. maintenance and a wide variety their behaviour so well, that we capability. The HUGIN Superior can also be used to maintain current incorporates functional improvements HISAS1032 Dual Receiver can ensonify and imagery from the side scan sonar. able to complete long-endurance requires. Some companies may have We not only recognised the technology party input such as Lidar, cameras, synthetic aperture sonar The Autonaut USV of other services to produce a have decided to quote an almost to sea with the first users being the builds on the robustness and proven levels of endurance but adding more over previous models. Being around targets at distances of 500m each It is now possible, however, to acquire missions. This takes on real their own preferred suppliers for as a good navigation solution but also (SAS), multibeam echosounders (MBES) etc, that will help Synthetic aperture sonar has other comprehensive package. specific components. Other devices saw the value of making it small enough unprecedented of 7 years of warranty team in New Zealand. Last year, iXblue launched the track records of the HUGIN AUV sensors. This will allow the HUGIN twice the length gives around double side, and together with a nadir sonar advantages. both imagery and bathymetry from importance when the task at hand Conopus transponder. that can be us provide the services we wish to deliver. information to be sent from “over-the- (Marine Autonomous Systems) has may incorporate specific features to fit in to a 12cm cube. on every system that goes out. The outcome was brilliant, with very family and represents the ultimate Superior to incorporate synthetic the amount of ground that can be looking immediately below the the SAS, which means it is possible – such as data-harvesting from a sub- used in LBL or Sparse LBL mode. TIDE AND WEATHER SYSTEM horizon” to operations vessels and/or now matured into a well-respected "What a company should aim for is particularly suitable for a given high data quality. London, WC2A 1HR in tools and capacity. We are not aperture sonar gathering, bathymetry, covered using one vehicle. This, vehicle, this corresponds of a swath When a vehicle is submerged, it does to calculate the topography from the sea asset eg, a monitoring sensor on you can use it in LBL mode or spares "We believe, however, that establishing partnerships will not a piece of equipment but a holisitc "In fact, this isn't expensive because the discontinuing models in the HUGIN sub-bottom profiling and the use of however, requires a larger vehicle to corridor of a kilometre," said Gjelstad. sides of the vehicle and not just below a wellhead, – may itself be relatively shore in near real-time. protocol for “best-practice”. application. "One feature of any INS is that it never help us develop new complementary technologies into Harwich Haven Authority (HHA) has chosen OceanWise to publication of information. Port-log.net provides fast not have access to a global positioning service," said Cervantes. This is equally FOG-based systems are so inherently "It was originally just for in-house mode. family but adding a top tier." cameras, lasers, magnetometers, carry it and that one of the reasons It is possible to pick out a tennis ball it, while using a multi-beam echo straightforward but involve major works alone. That is immediately which we can have an input at an early stage and guide the supply, install and maintain new tide and weather systems at access to the data, in a variety of displays, which can be system satellite and must make up for important at large scale down to reliable, but it does make an very surveys but we proposed it to devices and a diverse range that we have designed the HUGIN at 50m, however, because of the sounder to fill in the nadir gap and logistical planning. To maintain the link with a specific Of course, gaining trust that these "It is important to be open to evident by the number of input-outputs development of the tools. The benefit to the customers will the 900-year old east coast of England port. British marine viewed in real time or historically on portable or fixed this by incorporating a very accurate component level. meaningful statement. customers such as Bibby Hydromap, One of the first priorities in the of environmental sensors for e.g. Superior to be physically longer than way that the sonar works, this high thus allow a continuous swath. asset eg, an Autonomous Underwater systems can really perform offshore competitive technologies" said ports. Sometimes, it is connected to be massive. instrument specialist, Valeport, has partnered with OceanWise devices. aided inertial navigation system. By who were the first to see the value. design was to incorporate more methane and CO2 measurement. its predecessors. It is more than a definition visualisation holds equally Launching an autonomous craft Vehicle (AUV) the ability to “hover” as they so claim, requires successful Cervantes. "While employing a a multiplexer to distribute the data. to deliver the environmental monitoring systems and continue virtue of the way it operates, the SAS "All subsea devices, for example, AUTONOMOUS SYSTEMS have enough experience and operational data to be already power. The new HUGIN Superior metre longer than a typical 3000 good at 500m In addition to the sonars, the directly from and to a slipway in a specific position is paramount. missions. In the case of the AutoNaut In order for it to work, the INS needs "We have recently established a partnership with Forssea its long-standing relationship with HHA. The new environmental system provides HHA with can also be used as a velocity sensor "Perhaps the greatest potential cost We also trialled the system in considering a new upgraded version which will allow us to do comes with a 30% increase in energy Increasing the number of sensors meter rated HUGIN. HUGIN Superior also accommodates can be carried out in areas where Diesel-powered USVs, such as the USV, sea time has been clocking up to be recalibrated. This means being Robotics following collaborative work on 'Agile LBL.' continuous real time tide and meteorological data with the aim of making autonomous savings from a subsea operation can Azerbaijan for a boxing operation more in deeper waters. capacity on board. carried at any one time can increase “A Synthetic Aperture Sonar is cameras, lights and a laser profiler. conventional vessels are in short L3-ASV C-Worker, have an advantage through a number of multi-week connected to a wide range of data HHA, a trust port, is responsible for 150 square miles of the instantly to assist in all operational aspects of the port positioning much more accurate and accrue from autonomous systems that and achieved a fast result with high productive survey time and Synthetic aperture sonar is a type of based on the principle of building a supply. For further flexibility, the here in terms of straight power but missions. sources such as pressure sensors , DVL, Historically in order to place a transponder and frame on Haven and attracts trade from all over the world seeing 40% of aiding survey, dredging and vessel movement. thus allow the vehicle to travel for can be pre-programmed or controlled accuracy. But we can go further than that. Maybe in the container, we The optimum design speed of a contributes even more to reduced side-scan sonar where sophisticated synthetic array by ensonifying the "The laser profiler generates data ability to readily deploy and recover can still be tested in more severe USBL LBL and other equipment in order the seabed, it had to be placed by a large workclass ROV the UK’s container traffic travel through its area. The bespoke a longer time underwater without remotely from shore. could have the capability to supply a davit or crane so can be vehicle is largely dictated by the operational expenditure (OPEX). processing is used to combine multiple in a similar manner to a multibeam from a vessel at sea is a major boon – environmental conditions (high sea For proof that the USV will remain to fuse the data. and this, in turn was supported by a large vessel. system for HHA uses the latest technology to measure tide, One result of the trials was that integrated on the vessel. When you cone on it, the shipping range and processing capacity of Sonars are a particularly important echo sounder, but at a much higher- a valuable feature of AutoNaut’s new states). within metres of a planned track, weather and wave conditions at Harwich and Felixstowe. Launched last year, DriX is an container can have the step by step, we are iproving it to operate at abyssal depths. The high performance SeaRaptor can carry the most advanced its sensors. While this was already resolution” ", although it needs to generation 3.5m USV. even in hostile seas, “close passes” to "Some companies, however, incorporate iXblue realised that it required a "The system we use is based on the small Atoll ROV which autonomous mobile sensor platform considered as more than adequate, Acoustic positioning and Pressure tolerant WiFi RFm GPS and be physically closer to the seabed. Furthermore, a reliable and high- offshore installations have now been enclosed systems, so if a customer dedicated support vessel. latches onto the frame and lowers it to the seabed. The It includes a modern and dynamic environmental monitoring able to hydrographic survey at speed. greater power would increase the Aided inertial navigation system communications transponders Lithium Ion battery Iridium antenna It provides sufficient resolution to Importantly, by freeing up more quality link requires the “surface hub” safely completed by AutoNaut USVs in wants an INS, they have no alternative weight is supported by the wireline/umbilical from the system with dual telemetry to ensure that continuous real- "This is a key point and goes back to Itis great for multibeam moapping but the market needs mor vehicle’s endurance. resolve pipeline anodes on the pipe valuable resources whilst still to be as quiet as possible. the Pacific (for the Ocean Cleanup) and but to use the same company's DVL. We surface while the ROV's horizontal thrusters enable precise time data is available to the Port for its 24/7 operational needs. use the opposite approach so that our "The development was the result of needing to provide a service rather than that. The customers can say, hey, I want asubbottom CTD sensor itself. It gives millimetre resolution ensuring the integrity and position the Gulf of Mexico (for an oil and gas positioning. The frame can be recovered using the same The integrated system provided by OceanWise was designed Pop-off recovery nose a contract in New Zealand in which profiler and sidescan down to 300m. We have been workong “We have been constantly instead of centimetre resolution of sub-sea assets and retrieving their A major challenge for USVs taking on major). architecture is equally compatible with than a product. If you don't have all technique but in reverse." to incorporate best in class sensors within a robust, weather- we were required to survey an area on that and we have answers. monitoring improvements in and is very well suited for close all-important data, USVs can make an acoustic communications role is to our competitors. the pieces of the puzzle, then the proof Valeport Tidestation. and produce a hydrographic chart. battery technology and have seen inspection”. significant reductions in both costs marry consistent station-keeping with Applications for USVs, and marine entire offering is devalued. Forward-looking The customer wanted to use a surface Right now we are working in Mexico with a Multimbeam and the emergence of fuel cells as a and safety risks. a very low sound profile. Data must autonomous systems more generally, "We do provide DelphINS software. Housed within these tidal observation hubs are Valeport sonar for terrain drone but the hydrographic department iXblue, therefore developed such a GAPS USBL, Echoes subbottom profiler and we are developing potential power source in other "In conclusion, our new HUGIN absolutely remain of the same quality, continue to open up within marine This allows the user to employ non- WHAT NEXT TideMaster tide gauges fitted with vented pressure sensors or following conclude that the multibeam data was launch and recovery system which a sing that can be towed behind the drix that can carry industries. At the moment, we Superior is designed to deliver Payloads of acoustic communications no matter the cost savings. science, defence and industry. With calibrated INS and DVL, and recover the the water level VRS 20 radar level sensors and in some cases a and obstacle not good enough. became known as Jimmy on the magnoeters and sidescan sonar. We will be looking at that don't believe fuel cells are ready for superior data, positioning and mission equipment (such as ultrashort several USV systems now truly calibration value afterwards. This is very Another company we are working closely with is the Met Station from Gill Instruments. avoidance grounds that the pair could be later this year. integration in the HUGINs, although endurance, enabling users to do more basseline (USBL), long baseline (LBL)) Before the potential of USVs is fully maturing, the emphasis turns to asking convenient when a DVL is damaged and Robotics company Eca,about the capability of using the DriX "We decided to start from a clean sheet referred to together as 'Jimmy and ironically, way back in early 2000s, with a single asset than ever before. must be carried by the USV along realised, further assurance is still which type best fits a given specific needs to be replaced. It allows the use to deploy and recover ROVs or AUVs. The data from the sensors within the TideStation is collected niche. For the task of “communications of two non-calbrted sensors, aligning of paper and consider what we wanted. DriX' (an inspired homophone of Jimi we used a semi-fuel cell aluminium Altimeter Ultimately, it can generate much more with the means for transmission back required. and transmitted via GPRS using OceanWise’s smart telemetry ISSN: 1752-0592 gateway”, USVs with the right set of the system afterwards. Naval architects designed a vehicle with Hendrix). We are developing new algorighms which allow us to work Tide and weather hydrogen peroxide battery as part of data for less operational to shore. "DriX's impact on the market has been massive but we now and is transmitted to OceanWise’s cloud-based data out input, decided to build it, and put it SAFETY with new external sensors system monitoring the power source. Doppler velocity log Still image camera, laser profiler, HISAS 1032 dual receiver EM2040 mkII multibeam sonar expenditure." Ahead of full regulatory acceptance, capabilities are getting set to be game- management and display system, Port-Log.net for storage and sub bottom profiler synthetic aperture sonar Transmission over satellite allows for the UK-led Code of Conduct for MAS changing. marine sensors available on the market, allowing SeaRaptor to handle a wide range of deep 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Vol 13 No 2 IMAGING sea operations including: IMAGING IMAGING IMAGING

THE DEVASTATOR PROJECT THE DEVASTATOR PROJECT Contd CAMERACAMERA PHOTOGRAMMETRY PHOTOGRAMMETRY by Colleen Hahn, Gryphon Media Strategies and volunteers to conduct a safe, accuracy for both laser scans and touchless, accurate survey that photogrammetry technology. 3D at In recent years, the industry has a linear pipeline which is normally In October of 2018, 3D at Depth Wet-mate connectors would generate a world-class 3D Depth’s SL3 laser was deployed at gradually assembled a useful tracked at anything between 500m participated with the nonprofit rendition. varying ranges from the wreck site imaging toolbox, enabling operators and 1km/min, but more suited to Air/Sea Heritage Foundation in an while maintaining a safe distance, to achieve a greater understanding large three-dimensional structures expedition to document the largely The powerful legacy of service so as not to disturb the surrounding of underwater visualisation. that make best use the ROV's intact wreck of a rare US Navy and sacrifice -set by USN TBD-1 area. The steerable beam allowed hovering capability. Douglas TBD-1 Devastator aircraft crews, combined with the unique for flexibility and accuracy while Photogrammetric tools can now resting at the bottom of Jaluit Lagoon Marshallese-American history working alongside other technology provide a three-dimensional image This allows the ROV to move more in the Republic of the Marshall Islands embodied in BuNo 1515 is at the applications. of a subject, accurate enough from slowly, capturing more image (RMI). The goal: to capture precise, very heart of the Devastator Project, which to take measurements. information to acquire sights from all Recognised throughout Many companies have employed angles. The downside of taking more repeatable, millimetric data to build Recognised throughout an ongoing effort launched in 2004 The SL3 pulsed at 40,000 lasers as the base technology to images, however, is that it provides an accurate 3D model as a 21st thethe industry industry by Russ Matthews, president of measurements/sec for each scan century site map for this significant the nonprofit Air/Sea Heritage construct images, however, camera- more data that has to be analysed. position acquiring very high density based systems are just as advanced. cultural heritage asset and to serve Foundation. sector scans. 3D at Depth’s patented as a “pre-disturbance survey” for the Comex Inovation's three-camera "We have to discard a lot significant index of refraction correction One such exponent is Comex Over the course of 15 years and five Photogrammetric system amount of data because of the proposed recovery, conservation and algorithm was able to deliver Innovation, the vision and robotics public exhibition of the historic plane previous expeditions, a dedicated duplication," said Morvan, "however, repeatable data sets in low clarity arm of the French-based diving and early filtering and processing reduces at the National Museum of the United team of historians, archaeologists, water quality where other optical underwater pioneers. Their system, the amount to be stored data. The States Navy in Washington, DC. conservators, technicians, solutions would struggle to operate called the ORUS 3D (Optimal engineers, and documentarians time of transfer and cost of storage is in. Along with the LiDAR laser data, Reconstruction of Underwater also falling. The Devastator Project expedition have come together to monitor the team captured 1398 still images Sites in 3D), is a product of over and evaluate the Jaluit aircraft as a was conducted under a Special Use with photogrammetry. 10 years research and internal "Even as the inspection survey The TBD-1 was candidate for recovery in hopes of Permit granted by the Underwater 40 years background in subsea is being carried out, we can preserving this artefact and its story Archaeology Branch of the Navy the US Navy’s first THE RESULT: photogrammetry. It was used since immediately start transmitting the for future generations. History & Heritage Command. The all-metal combat The Douglas TBD-1 Devastator The SL3 LiDAR laser delivered a total 2016 on projects in West Africa and data to the surface and processing it team worked in close coordination of 92 million points with 5.7 million most recently three times last year if a gigabyte link is available on the with the RMI Historic Preservation aircraft and the They also consulted regularly with The October expedition team in the North Sea. ROV as opposed to having to wait for included project co-lead and Air/Sea vertices. Each dense point cloud was Office and were accompanied in first torpedo local Jaluit government and the Atoll’s then surfaced modeled and moved the ROV being recovered. the field by Susan Underbrink, an traditional leadership. Heritage Foundation co-founder, The system is based on three bomber to see Dr. Peter Fix, a specialist in the into a 3D design computer. Optical ORUS 3D Camera mounted at the front of an ROV archaeologist with the Ministry of imagery from photogrammetry, 360 very high-resolution cameras and So what is better- Laser or camera field of materials conservation of associated strobing led lights, Culture and Internal Affairs. action. It was Of the 129 Devastators built, all were VR and stills were integrated into the based systems? watercraft and aircraft, with the forming a front sensor beam. This either lost in battle, destroyed in designs to render an exact 3D model • Broad area search and recovery • Exploration • Marine archaeology also the first Navy operational accidents, or scrapped Advisors from the Advanced Imaging is backed by a pod that provides were used as reference points. The "The cameras are accurately If you are using a GIS or Navigation "We have a large test tank in "Photogrammetry and laser systems and Visualization Laboratory at of the Devastator. The result was not power and performs the control, dimensions were calibrated from precalibrated," said Jonathan plane with a fully before the end of World War II only an aesthetically pleasing image software and need to position Marseilles," said Chemisky "which we are totally different but might (WWII). Today, no complete aircraft Full range of world-renowned Woods Hole acquisition and real time processing scale bars also deployed around the Morvan, Comex Innovation Business our 3D models inside, you could drained, placed targets around the potentially complement each other. Full range of Oceanographic Institute were also but the survey produced actionable enclosed cockpit exists on dry land anywhere around of the data. structure. developer. "As we know the offset of georeferenced them using several side and invited independent Bureau Large scale Lidar or multibeam Ethernet connectors part of the expedition planning and data so post-production can render "Carrying out this work was very the world. In addition, little or Ethernet connectors The Devastator on the Seabed Image: Air/Sea Heritage Foundation. Photo by Brett Seymour the cameras relative to each other, already known reference points and Veritas survey teams to verify the systems are good at surveying and hydraulically post-production stages. the entire aircraft. "Since 1979, and before we time-consuming and interpretation the resultant image is captured insufficient engineering information orientation of subsea structures or use position of these targets using use large areas.Camera -based systems In addition, as a pre-disturbance During the planning discussions, Brett developed this unique system, we often revealed a disparity over the relative to the camera rather than its folding wings has survived in the archival record. inputs from the ROV USBL to get them land survey techniques. are good for travelling within this On 17 October 2018, the group survey, it was important to capture Seymour suggested the possibility of time 3D data processing unit for the Over a period of six days on site, CONCLUSIONS took images from a single camera measurements." geographic position. (if available on the ROV). expedition’s field package. scanned area and carrying out boarded Indies Surveyor a 75ft dive not only the repeatable, accurate, adding 3D at Depth’s technology to dozens of dives were conducted to the The fusion of underwater and manually stitched them "We then re-flooded the tank, higher resolution imagery and more This particular plane is US Navy 4040 year year track track record record vessel chartered from Indies Trader millimetric details of the aircraft but the survey mix. wreck located under 130ft of water. LiDAR laser technology and 3-D together by referencing similar The latest ORUS 3D is based closer "This means Bureau of Aeronautics Number The accuracy of the system has been carried out underwater surveys and accurate measurements. Marine Adventures and specially also the substance and structures of The addition of this revolutionary Some divers were required to used volumetric photogrammetry offers features on several pictures," on modern stereophotogrammetry that unlike qualified in Comex's in-house (BuNo) 1515, formerly assigned to compared the results with those outfitted to support the marine biomass on and around Brett was aware of 3D at Depth’s technology would take the survey closed-circuit throughout a revolutionary step towards the said Bertrand Chemisky, Comex principles. Furthermore, adding a some systems, testing pool. Torpedo Squadron Five (VT-5) aboard produced from the land survey. The Unlike other systems that struggles operations in remote areas like the aircraft. Soft corals, sponges, and reputation from their successful capabilities to another level where it the process of positioning and accuracy of digital preservation and Innovation manager. third camera to the array obviates the inertial or other result was XYZ accuracies of under a the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown to produce accurate models of all Jaluit Atoll and set sail. other underwater species could not be collaboration for the National Park would be possible to virtually reverse repositioning the scanning head for visualization for large features on the need for the pre-placement of targets navigation assistance centimetre over a distance of 30m." cylinder shape models, the ORUS3D (CV-5) with the fuselage code "5-T-6". affected during the survey process. Service on a previous project and from engineer the sunken aircraft. complete coverage. seafloor including maritime heritage "This process could be eased and scale bars through the application is not required and this avoids system is suited to measuring the It was lost in a raid on Jaluit on 1 THE CHALLENGE their underwater scans of Pompeii sites, coral reefs, and seafloor by physically placing black- of their unique scaling process. the risks of adding an extensive The camera-based photogrammetry ovality in large diameter tubulars or February 1942 and is one of the few Although Devastator 1515 appears THE PROCESS for BBC ONE’s television program Using 3D at Depth’s SL3 Subsea laser Others collected further structural habitats. and-white targets onto positioning error budget. service is aimed at general visual detailing upheaval buckling with an remaining examples of this important largely intact, the sensitive nature In approaching what was intended to “Invisible Cities.” LiDAR technology, the team could and environmental data, making the structure prior to The subsea embedded processing inspection surveys – advantage of that it can recognise historical icon that is both reasonably of the wreck and the often low be the ultimate Jaluit Devastator site create a baseline survey with 3D point observations on changes in the In addition, the Devastator the survey. These unit allows a real time first processing "The idea is to build a very accurate not so much genuine colour which allows the user accessible and retains enough water clarity provided limitations survey, the group decided to integrate Serendipitous timing and the clouds that could be layered with and quality check of the data 3D model in relative and then using condition of the plane which is Project expedition highlights the Camera-based to detect erosion. structural integrity to potentially for the data collection process and a wide variety of the latest technology generosity of 3D at Depth, made it photogrammetry and other optical slowly, but inevitably deteriorating collaboration between a dedicated to prevent freak results and to traditional positioning techniques Available worldwide systems produce guarantee full coverage of each to place it into the real world generate an accurate 3D model. Available worldwide other optical imagery collection including still photography, 4K video, possible to secure an SL3 subsea imagery (including the addition of due to natural forces. In addition, group of individuals who used colour images A buckeld pipeline detected by the methods. 3D photogrammetry, and 360 ⁰ VR. LiDAR laser with its powerful real- stills and 360 VR) rendering a highly scene. coordinates. DenmarkDenmark Norway Sweden FinlandFinland United United Kingdom Kingdom registration markers were deployed enabling technology to preserve an ORUS 3D camera Located in a sensitive marine accurate 3D model. in pre-approved areas to check iconic aircraft for future generations. habitat, the expedition brought NetherlandsNetherlands Germany PolandPoland France France Spain Spain Portugal Portugal The Devastator on the Seabed Image: Air/Sea Heritage Foundation photo by Brett Seymour +44 (0) 1480 370007 together a group of leading experts Italy UAE Israel Turkey South Africa USA Canada Mexico Subsea Imaging Italy UAE Israel Turkey South Africa USA Canada Mexico ColombiaColombia Chile Brazil SingaporeSingapore China China India India Pakistan Pakistan 24 26 27 RussiaRussia BelarusBelarus South KoreaKorea JapanJapan Taiwan Taiwan Australia Australia 25 • Salvage • Construction support • Oceanography 20 21 22 23 Editor: John Howes [email protected] IMAGING IMAGING

DIVER MOUNTED IMAGING MULTIBEAM IMAGING VIDEO CAMERA INFRA RED CAMERA GIG E CAMERA There are a number of reasons why sonar is typically fixed on the other side become entangled. The overall result The new Fathom Systems HD fNETp l Power and data for the camera divers can find it difficult to see of the helmet for balance. While not has proven to shorten mission times. diver video camera has solved In 2019, JW Fishers announced the latest in its advanced Teledyne Marine has launched a new range of GigE is managed over Fathom proprietary underwater video systems with the MC-2 Mini-Camera, clearly underwater. particularly heavy in air, the weight of the problem of sending digital HD underwater cameras with the sale of multiple units fNETp requiring only two umbilical which was the recently upgraded from the MC-1 to the assembly is virtually insignificant Tritech say that in the trials, they used video, interference free, over long to Seatronics for standard fit on their new VALOR conductors up to 600m+ include powerful LED lights. ROV. Light is naturally absorbed by when supported by the water. the eyepiece with a range of devices umbilicals without using fibre or

water. The greater the water including their scanning sonars, but special cable types. l Streamed HD Video and live "Many customers mount the camera on their helmet Launched in 2018, the VALOR (Versatile and depth, therefore, the more While the diver sonar has been concluded that the best results came data is then available over standard and keep in contact with ship-based surveyors via our Lightweight Observation ROV) from Seatronics is the surface light dissipates, aimed at the from multibeams. They specified the Needing only two umbilical wires Ethernet networks for video Video Recording System (VRM)," said a spokesman. "The first vehicle in its class to standardize on such high naturally causing everything sector in general, it has gained Gemini 720ik but said that the Gemini for power and data, fNETp delivers management, recording and diver system also allows the mini camera to be pole mounted performance industrial cameras. particular acceptance in the search live high definition video pictures to appear darker. In bad 720im also behaves particularly well. monitoring systems for easy manipulation and deployment in hard to reach with 1920 x 1080 resolution along weather, the amount and rescue community, especially places. Leveraging the latest in CMOS technology from of surface light further in the US where the product was It largely depends which the client with the diver’s voice comms, over l Whenever a closer or alternative Teledyne Dalsa, leaders in high performance digital decreases and at night, it is originally trialled. happens to already have," said standard Ethernet networks. Video view of a job is required, a second One company that successfully used Fishers’ MC-1 Mini imaging and semiconductors, the new range from virtually non-existent. Donaldson. The Gemini 720im is can be recorded anywhere on the camera and light can share the same Camera and VRM Video Recorder to conduct inspections Teledyne Bowtech brings this next generation of "In many cases, water visibility is so smaller and lighter while the Gemini network but is also continuously fNET using the optional ‘Pistol’ grip. for their clientele is W.J.Castle of New Jersey. It was sensors under water. Low visibility conditions may poor that divers are virtually unable 720ik provides a higher resolution recorded locally in the camera. hired by a local municipal water authority to complete also accrue from a high sediment to see more than a couple of feet in image. It is possible to visualise basic l Bolt on features include diver an Underwater Investigation of a portion of their water Using Global Shutter technology, Bowtech’s GigE load or preponderance of other front of them," said Allan Donaldson, structures up to 120m away with the In addition, a high intensity monitoring system (DMS), dive distribution system. Vision cameras allow transmission of sharp, high- particulates. Plankton-rich waters Senior Sales Engineer. "This is clearly 720ik and up to 50m for the 720im, dimmable LED light is integrated management and table planning speed video images and related control data Editorial Assistant: can also reduce the amount of light unacceptable for those charged the 720ik can resolve more precise in the camera along with an software, camera control, viewing The client suspected a potential leak in a over ethernet networks with almost zero latency. reaching the eye. Eyepiece image with carrying out search and rescue imaging in the water column at independent battery powered and recording software portion of the system, however due to the With frame rates of up to 862 frames per second operations. 60–80m away. automatic emergency LED light configuration of the distribution network, achievable (depending on model selected) video To better illuminate the target, divers To help solve this problem, Tritech should main power to the camera be All cameras in the range use access was all but impossible without a is streamed in the uncompressed RAW format often carry lights, however, the beams has recently employed sonar to "Using this new sonar-aided visualisation, It is not only the imaging distance lost. Sensors measure diver depth, proprietary encoding firmware competent dive team. such that each frame can be paused and viewed can sometimes reflect off close-up assist diver vision by developing a divers are now not only able to see that should be considered - the heading and attitude and by adding and software, allowing HD video individually, eliminating the need for a separate ARTEMIS PRO SX sediment and back into the eye in body-mounted system in which an considerable distances in front of them field of view is also important, the a Fathom pressure streaming and recording. Using a combination of the JW Fishers MC-1 digital stills camera & allowing vehicles to fly the same way that car headlights at eyepiece sits on the facemask in front to better locate their target, but the Gemini 720ik has a full 120deg field sensor, the Dive Supervisor can camera and the VRM-1, the Castle team was faster, reducing the time taken to complete visual Blueprint is integrating its ARTEMIS recognised, however, that a combined "Because the twin scooter full-beam can reflect off a fog of one eye. This eyepiece is sonar also helps protect them while of view which gives the diver a better continuously monitor the contents able to achieve mission success and provide inspections. PRO diver handheld sonar and unit would be something that the integration is a larger platform than blanket. essentially the sonar’s swimming in general, because they are appreciation about what is happening of the diver’s emergency clear video footage of the underwater navigation system onto a military military market might find particularly a handheld device,” said Barratt, imaging screen. The less likely to collide with something and to the left and right. . Helmet-mounted video conditions. Such high performance coupled with a well- propulsion unit. It will be undergoing useful.” "we have been able to add a side documented software development kit, will field trials later this year. scan sonar, which is useful for l Standard Ethernet networks Another Castle Group mission that required allow developers to advance applications such This thought prompted Blueprint to unexploded ordnance detection. enable streaming and recording of the MC-1 Video System was for Hydro Marine as automated control, machine learning and "We originally developed the Artemis get together with SUEX, a leading Diver-mounted data at any location including over Construction. The company hired Castle to photogrammetry, adding value through enhanced PRO for the commercial diving manufacturer of medium-range In essence the GPS and Doppler sonar marine WiFi links between LDC and complete an underwater video inspection resolution, better control and faster operations. market,” said James Barratt, Managing diver proportion scooters, to look for Velocity Log feeds data into the INFRA RED CAMERA mother vessels Director of Blueprint Subsea, "to opportunities in offering an customised Attituded Heading Reference System of a portion of a dam in Pennsylvania. The Bowtech’s GigE Darkwater Vision has developed of suspended particulate (backscatter) assist them navigating underwater unit. It would essentially have the (AHRS) to give the unit speed, Cliff Edge inspection targets were the upstream portion Vision camera camera/viewer system to help in the same manner as white light. l In addition to the revolutionary of a large intake structure in approximately or performing seabed surveying and handheld sonar dashboard, console heading and position. divers see in poor light conditions. It Instead of being blinded by reflection, HD camera, integrated sensors 45ft of water. location of objects on the seabed. As and or navigation system fitted to their improves visualisation at distances the diver can see the suspended measure the diver’s depth and such, it incorporates a target detection DPD. This meant having to modify the It also includes Blueprint’s Oculus of 5-6ft but is particularly effective at particulate in certain conditions. heading which is transmitted to Helmet and mask- multibeam sonar, DVL, Camera, layout of the Artemis PRO. The DVL forward looking multi-beam sonar distances of 18ins –2ft. the surface over the same 2-wire mounted MC2 Dive-Light, Acoustic Positioning, Data is now relocated from the bottom of and a diver text messaging system link Illumination. A high-intensity cameras Modem and GNSS navigation aids. the handheld underneath the scooter, so the diver can communicate with It is based on looking at specific dimmable 9W LED light is integrated straddling the DPD. others underwater. Communications wavelengths in the infra-red part of in the camera "Its integrated Doppler Velocity Log are assisted by an acoustic the spectrum instead of 'white light'. (DVL) and Attitude Heading Reference Blueprint has also just finished the resonating ring. The unit is also l An independent battery (AHRS) sensors allows divers to swim design of the Artemis ELITE, this is a fitted with a camera and lighting. "As the system is limited to the infra powered emergency LED light turns a preset course using dead-reckoning fully integrated version of a similar red wavelength, no matter how many on automatically if main power to positioning, removing the need to navigation and sonar system. lights are used, the image will not the camera is lost surface frequently and obtain a new Importantly, it is integrated not be substantially better as the wave position fixes. a bolt on. dissipates over a set distance," said a l By adding a Fathom bailout spokesman. bottle pressure sensor, the "Some of the clients also use diving Diver- supervisor can continuously propulsion devices (DPDs) to carry mounted "The advantage of Infrared light, monitor the contents of the diver’s them through the water and use the Infra Red however, is that it does not reflect off emergency cylinder Artemis PRO as an additional aid. We Camera Artemis pro sx Production: 28 29 30 31 Sue Denham POSITIONING

SUBSEA EQUIPMENT SUBSEA EQUIPMENT CURRENTCURRENT PROFILING PROFILING FUSION” 2

centred Earth-fixed (ECEF) see which one is best suited for a In collaboration with key technical quality of current measurements Sensor fusion is making daily lives The drive for project efficiency gains the successor to our Fusion LBL and coordinates for positioning particular operation and easily switch specialists, Nortek has undertaken collected in this way,” says Claire ACDP easier, especially in the has increased the demand for sparse SPRINT INS software. and calibrations, which between them. studies to improve the quality of Cardy, Director, Nortek UK. “The space. Edward Moller, Global Business Long BaseLine (LBL)-aided inertial Large bodies of moving water means grid scale factors are current measurements collected from data collected from a surface Manager for Construction Survey, at navigation system (INS) operations. Building on our experience in LBL often contain entrained particles. not an issue. To further reduce moving platforms. buoy can be compared with data Sonardyne explains Sparse LBL aided INS can bring project software gained since Fusion 1 was Piezoelectric transducers within hardware Advertising: collected from a seabed-mounted the ADCP send out acoustic waves efficiencies by reducing the number of launched in 2005, and subsea acoustic The previous lengthy requirements, Fusion Measuring water flow can be ADCP to check for consistency in Where we once had seabed transponders that need to be positioning dating back to the 1970s, which bounce off these particles. By workflows which involved 2 has also been achieved by using sensors such as the current measurements. We multiple unconnected deployed for a survey. as well as customer feedback, Fusion measuring the doppler frequency selecting, adding and then developed so that it Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers used our most advanced ADCP to devices to tell us the time, 2, a single system supporting LBL, INS, shift from the echo, this can be giving transponders locations, works through our (ADCPs), which are frequently examine the effects of motion at the make calls, navigate, email and check This technique has been enabling and LBL aided INS operations – has translated into water velocity have been replaced by a simple Navigation Sensor deployed on the seabed looking surface on the quality of the current the weather, we now have smart significant savings for survey and been created. values. process in an intuitive and adaptable Hub (NSH) - the upwards to scan a 2D profile of the measurements.” phones that do it all for us (before construction firms, but, at a cost we even know we want it!). Smarter, of complexity, ie, the need for A key enabler for Fusion 2 is the Fusion 2 brings LBL and INS user interface (UI). Fusion 2 also now same hub used for water column. One application is to mount the connected, faster systems are the two separate sets of software and latest evolution of our Wideband capabilities into one software separates locations and transponders. our Ranger 2 USBL TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS ADCP sideways across a river bank way forward – and not just for hardware on deck and all the ancillary signal architecture, present in every environment This enables you to have multiple system, so operators Whilst this is a common method “If an ADCP is deployed straight, to measure the water discharge. When measuring currents, instead of looking at one solid block of water, the column is divided into slices, called cells or commercial users onshore. interfaces that go with them. Sonardyne transponder or transceiver. transponders in a single location, need less hardware of deployment, there are often the distance along each beam will bins. This enables the scientist to understand how the currents vary from the surface to the seabed in finer detail. In this Wideband 3 is able to achieve faster required to be individually boxed-in by such as a multi-bucketed tripod, and (just one PC, one sensor advantages to deploying the ADCPs be exactly the same; therefore, the Alternatively, securely mounting diagram there are nine bins. If the instrument is exactly vertical at the surface, the distance along the beam is the same Fuelled by the continued drive By engineering a new single tracking, with 1Hz LBL update rates – expensive vessels. Fusion 2 removes swap and change transponders in hub and one cable downward-looking on surface buoys measurement depth will also be the profiler on the seabed, pointing for each beam and therefore the depth is the same. for efficiency gains and solution into which these systems a factor of 10 increase. Crucially, for this box-in requirement through the and out of locations - which would between them) in their or sub-surface buoys. For example, the same,” explains Cardy. “A small upwards, allows it to measure the smarter ways of working, – LBL acoustic survey and INS – are today’s time schedule and cost-driven addition of real-time SLAM calibration. occur during the life-of-field cycle inventory. this type of deployment supports easy change in the attitude of the ADCP, water currents up through the water If an instrument is tilted, however, this means that at the same distance along the beam, the depths at which they are data and sensor fusion, integrated, it’s now possible to both industry, it also provides telemetry This has been enabled by a new set of whereby transponders are installed, access to the ADCPs for maintenance, however, can cause a significant column although in order to achieve measuring are now different. In this case for the same distance along the beam, the measurement volume for beam 2 system integration and reduce the amount of hardware and and position updates in the same algorithms developed by our software demobilised and re-installed only NEXT STEPS real-time data transmission to a land shift in the measurement depth of a three dimensional image, a typical moves from bin 6 to bin 5, and for beam 1, it moves to cover half of bin 6 and half of bin 7. Without bin mapping, the inbuilt intelligence are now interfaces that surveyors need, while acoustic signals, which means tracking engineers to run in the SPRINT INS. when they are needed. In the future, we’re Zinat Hassan base, or use with combined sensor each beam. This is more noticeable system will require three or more ADCP will put these tilted measurements in bin 6, but with bin mapping, the ADCP will adjust the offset and put the looking to automate at depth: the more the beams are playing significant roles in the also helping make operations both isn’t interrupted when sensor data – packages such as offshore met acoustic beams. measurements into the correct bin. For example, in this second image the beam 2 measurements will be put in bin 5 not Then, during the operation, surveyors more processes and spread out, the more we see a bias so-called digitalisation of the more streamlined, through simpler attitude, heading or depth, etc, – is These mean that, using the raw ranges stations. bin 6, but beam 1’s measurements will be split between bins 6 and 7. can dynamically select and change workflows, to further towards exaggerated current velocity offshore oil and gas industry. workflows, and intelligence – ie, the required. from Compatt 6+ transponders, Fusion Conversely, locating the unit at the 2 can compute the position of the seabed acoustic transponder help surveyors focus Deploying ADCPs in this way can measurements resulting from the This includes the survey system does the complicated work for surface and pointing it downwards Sparse LBL transponders without references during navigation, instead on the critical tasks. often be challenging due to the vertical offset.” To validate this, Nortek placed an added challenge of transiting like a autonomous platforms where the business. you. This was the goal for Fusion 2, When Wideband 3 and Fusion 2 are to the seabed allows ‘bottom needing to box-in or baseline calibrate. of having to stop and reconfigure We will also be looking destabilizing dynamic motion induced Acoustic Wave and Current Profiler traditional survey vessel. Measuring space on board is very limited. combined with our new 6+ hardware, tracking’ with the aim of looking Fusion 2 manages the whole process references. Once tracking, surveyors to enable smarter from waves, winds and even the There are two ways in which to (AWAC) on the seabed and looked for currents in this way requires several further capabilities are unlocked. along survey lines. in real-time so that as soon as you can also easily track if they’re within integration with currents themselves. alleviate this bias. One is to increase a comparison with the downward- pieces of instrumentation that “There are a number of practical This is because when Compatt 6+ achieve the navigational accuracy their set positional accuracy limits onboard survey systems. the number of current measurement looking Signature ADCP unit. The previously have been complex to issues in incorporating these transponder ranges are received by an While there is a demand for you need for your project you can through the UI. “Our collaborative team of samples by sampling for longer figure shows a linear regression set up and configure for standard systems into autonomous vehicles: ROV-mounted ROVNav 6+ transceiver, systems to be installed on surface stop calibrating, start tracking and get All of our work boils experienced oceanographers and periods, and average them together between the depth-averaged velocity vessel-mounted applications. For space is at a premium for the Fusion 2 starts calculating its position platforms the measurements are straight to work. Fusion 2 can SLAM With the Sonardyne iWand, the down to making to smooth out the oscillations. measured by the bottom-mounted autonomous applications, this large various sensor packages, payload straight away instead of waiting for all engineers realized that more can quite complex and this can be calibrate, initialise and start tracking Compatts on deck can also be given processes easier, However, in certain applications such AWAC (reference) and the buoy- equipment is highly impractical and an sensors need to be optimized to the array transponder ranges to come be done with our ADCPs to mitigate seen in the general lack of industry with ranges from just a single seabed their locations prior to deployment through integration these effects and improve the as turbulence studies, the individual mounted Signature1000. alternative solution is required. reduce interference, and, most in before sending them up to Fusion. development. Nortek, however, are This means operators know their ROV reference beacon, making operational – they’re simply loaded into an and increased in- current measurement is of utmost one of the companies that have importantly, each autonomous As can be seen, there is a very strong “On a moving vessel, it is not only vehicle is different, which means a positions faster. start-up faster and simpler. iWand wirelessly from Fusion 2, then built intelligence. importance, and therefore averaging been looking at this area. acoustically sent to the transponders Automation and [email protected] loses the fine-scale detail of the agreement between the two datasets, necessary to correct for the pitch, ‘one-solution-fits-all’ system isn’t yet wirelessly on deck – so you know the artificial intelligence current flow. showing how the quality of the buoy- roll and heading, but also for the feasible,” says Cardy. FULL LBL GETS FASTER AND mounted measurement matches difference in position during the vessel REAL-TIME SLAM ENABLING SPARSE LBL status of them before they even hit are becoming ever WITHOUT THE CALIBRATION COSTS MORE CLEVER the water. This all makes Compatt more intertwined with The alternative option is to that of the reference system on the transit, which is achieved by combining For full LBL array operations, thanks inventory management easier, from our daily lives. negate the movement of the Sensor (AHRS) output into our bottom. the Signature ADCP with a GNSS,” says Traditional LBL arrays typically require to Wideband 3, faster ranging and one place. Furthermore, acoustic LBL With ROVNav 6+, surface buoy and remap the Signature ADCP, effectively enabling Cardy. a minimum of four transponders. Wideband 3 and telemetry updates de-stress and de- and INS surveys can be configured ‘in Through projects like current measurements. us to incorporate readings from the SURFACE VESSELS In Sparse LBL, the SPRINT INS on an Fusion 2, tracking is risk mobile Compatt tracking. Because the office’, before mobilisation. our Innovate UK funded This requires the addition accelerometer, magnetometer and Taking current measurements “The benefit of the Signature series ROV can take ranges from a single easier and faster sensor data is embedded with the Precise Previsioning for of a gyroscope-enabled tilt gyroscope,” says Cardy. “The AHRS from an ADCP on a surface buoy is that sampling up to 14 Hz provides transponder and, because it knows range data, you get fast uninterrupted All this can be done with complete Persistent AUVs project, sensor and precise ping has a very high response rate of 100 presents similar challenges to using much better vertical resolution its own movement, it can calculate its autonomous surface vehicles (ASVs), throughout the water column. position relative to the transponder. tracking. flexibility. Users can let the system we’re bringing some of this world synchronization, which was Hz, which supports high-resolution do the work for them, or tailor into the offshore arena, by making real-time mapping on a ping-by- which are becoming more important Combined with an improved bottom- previously unavailable in an Compatt 6+ unlocks the Sound velocity data can also be their operations how they want. A steps towards the ability to ping basis. Each individual ping from with the rise of unmanned survey track algorithm, the result is fewer data The key is knowing where, in the real ADCP until Nortek’s Signature power of our Wideband 3 accessed without interrupting tracking, surveyor can setup multiple position deploy transponders from the ADCP beam has its own precise applications. dropouts, particularly when changing world, that transponder is. Unlike series arrived. signal architecture further improving confidence in the computations easily, to compare unmanned surface vessels. timing, which is matched with the course quickly.” full LBL transponder arrays, a single reliability of position updates. Fusion different set-ups – from USBL aided It’s not just sensor fusion, it’s AHRS on the receipt of the return Not only is the ASV subject to pitch Nortek is working on the practical Correlation between bottom mounted AWAC transponder cannot be quickly LBL “This necessitated integrating an 2 has also been built to use Earth- INS operations to full LBL surveys - to sensor and system fusion. and roll like a surface buoy, it has the aspects of adapting this system for and buoy mounted Signature ADCP current baseline calibrated and, to date, have An Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler Attitude and Heading Reference signal.” measurements Offshore operations will benefit from Fusion 2 35 For more information and a quotation, Tel: +44 (0) 845 6522 483 32 33 34 ” Mobile: +44 (0) 781 1200 483 SONAR contact us at [email protected] UNDERWATER EQUIPMENT UNDERWATER EQUIPMENT UNDERWATER EQUIPMENT SONAR AND THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT A TITANIC LAUV The growing industrialisation of and is a function of frequency and • Non-harmful noise levels could lead frequency of 375kHz, with the impact impact zone, thereby minimising iXblue’s Phins Compact Series has CONTRIBUTION the world’s oceans is leading to water temperature, determining the to changes in an animals’ behaviour of the measured TVR and directivity any biological impact. been selected by OceanScan-MST, increasing levels of anthropogenic minimum possible noise level in the that negatively impact their health, profiles included in the model. The the Portugal-based manufacturer of noise. However, does this have a ocean. eg, by driving them away from food pulse shape was modified to closely The analysis of the Echoscope has the Lightweight, cost effective AUV negative impact on the sea creatures sources. Coda Octopus high-resolution sonar match the 7cm pulse transmitted demonstrated that the noise impact (LAUV), to equip three new vehicles. by the real system, and the peak zone is confined to a small region To respond to the end-users’ demand that use sound for hunting or Biological noise: Marine animals use Saab Seaeye Tiger communication? Coda Octopus sound in a wide variety of ways, from • Animals could be indirectly affected Determining sound levels that lead that nominally operates well above Directivity signal strength at 1m was set to the that extends less than 25 m in front for a higher position accuracy with a investigates the effect of a real-time the impulsive cavitation noise used by as a result of noise causing a change to temporary or permanent physical 200 kHz may still be transmitting The rapid attenuation of high- measured valued of 210 dB re 1 μPa. of the device. Given that these small size factor and limited budget, 3D sonar on marine life. snapping shrimp to stun their prey, to in the behaviour of a predator or prey harm to marine life is the first step sound below this frequency, and could frequency sound has implications for systems are typically operated from OceanScan-MST opted for the Phins WASTE the long-range, low frequency songs species. in assessing the biological impact. have an impact on marine life. the design of high-resolution sonar The frequency spectrum was a moving vessel it is likely that their C3, which met all those requirements. Many marine animals use sound used by whales for communication, to For imaging sonar systems this is systems. Specifically, it is impractical calculated at a point 1m directly noise impact will be significantly less DISPOSAL in front of the transmitter, and the Built on iXblue’s Fibre-Optic Gyroscope for a range of tasks. Cetaceans complex pulsed echolocation methods. Studies to investigate the impact of particularly difficult, as there has been To understand the extent of the to transmit the pulse uniformly in than that due to the vessel’s engine, After breaking all records for frequency dependent attenuation was (FOG) technology, the Phins Compact (whales and dolphins), for example, Many marine animals therefore have active sonar systems on marine life little investigation of the impact of biological impact of a sonar system all directions, as this would require meaning that the incremental noise transferring waste material then applied to find the maximum Series is a fully scalable system and use particularly complex acoustics complex auditory systems that may be have typically focussed on cetaceans. such high-frequency sounds. it is necessary to understand the a significant amount of power. As impact is negligible. stored in spent fuel ponds, distance the sound would propagate has been designed to offer AUV for both communication, and highly sensitive to certain frequencies. This is at least partly due to the shape of the transmitted pulse, as a result, the transmitters on such Sellafield has selected the before falling below the 140 dB industry the ability to choose an echolocation hunting techniques. suggestion that military sonar is a risk Ascertaining a threshold for adverse this determines the extent of the systems are often configured to give This analysis is consistent with Saab Seaeye Tiger robotic impact threshold. inertial navigation system adapted Anthropogenic noise: Noise resulting factor in the mass strandings of various behavioural impacts is more frequency sidelobes. a carefully directed pulse of sound, anecdotal experience of using the vehicle to work in one to their vehicle, whatever their size, Humans working in the ocean, from human activity can range from whale species. challenging still, as it is difficult both such that only the region to be Echoscope, where fish and dolphins of the most hazardous The frequency that propagated the mission, and budget. Published by UT2 Publishing for and however, may also use advanced the loud, impulsive, low-frequency to determine what might constitute It is also necessary to understand imaged will receive the full amplitude have been observed swimming environments on the planet. acoustic systems, such as the sound created by explosions and When considering the impact of high- such a behaviour and also to reliably the transmit voltage response (TVR) signal. furthest before attenuating to a unperturbed within the system’s safe level was found to be 194 kHz, Contrary to former technologies, Echoscope real-time 3D sonar, to geological surveying, to the ultra-high- frequency sonar systems, the studies measure it. An animal might exhibit a of the system, as this represents the field of view. The announcement with the sound level falling below the FOG technology is silent (no provide navigation and situational frequency (UHF) signals employed by of odontocetes (toothed whales) are ’startle response’ to a given sound, for system’s ability to transmit sound at Using a directional transmitter has came after the Tiger had 140dB at 25m from the transmitter. interference with sonars and other awareness information, as sonar high-resolution sonar systems. particularly relevant, as several species example, but return to their normal each frequency. Combining the TVR two key consequences regarding the Summary Teledyne Marine has made a dive. More recently, OceanGate has worked consistently in Including the impact of the Echoscope acoustic payloads) and has a limited extends the range of measurements utilise their own biosonar systems for behaviour sufficiently rapidly that it with the sidelobe analysis allows impact on marine life: Using conservative estimates of signficant contrubtion to OceanGate’s also enabled the modem’s positioning the highly-corrosive conditions transmitter’s directivity confirmed that power consumption. The Phins that can be made with imaging There is also a constant, low-frequency echolocation hunting. does not lead to negative outcomes. the transmitted signal level to be biological noise impact thresholds, Titan Manned project capability through the use of Benthos for nine months, during which time the impact zone was almost entirely Compact Series provides position, devices. The growing use of remote component of anthropogenic noise calculated for the whole frequency 1. The region where the sound levels it has been shown that a high- which recently reached a major DAT, allowing them to capture the it only needed to pause for routine within the system’s field of view. true heading, attitude, speed, heave MACARTNEY SWIVEL FOR NJORD FPSO and autonomous underwater due to the perpetual activity of global As with man-made systems, the A review of the available literature spectrum. are high is greatly reduced. frequency sonar system can milestone by successfully completing position of the vehicle relative to the maintenance. Sellafield has now and depth for shallow and deep-water vehicles (AUVs) means that the shipping, which can propagate over biosonar systems of animals living has determined an estimate of the 2. The high noise region is within the potentially impact marine life, A Floating Storage and Offloading project in the Norwegian Prior to torquing each bolt, the hub/ a 4,000m validation dive off the coast ship’s surface. ordered four Tigers for this extremely At a range of 25m the Echoscope is operations. deployment of such complex systems long distances. This has been shown in complex environments require threshold for physical harm of 230 dB Sound propagation system’s field of view. This means the even when the nominal operating Sea is to benefit from high-end products for data and generator is positioned using an of the Bahamas. challenging role. is only likely to increase. to be increasing with growing levels of the highest spatial resolution, and, re 1μPa, and a conservative threshold Low-frequency sound can potentially operator will be able to detect large able to resolve any object larger than frequency is well above the animal’s process control from MacArtney & Moog Focal. optical sensor system that ensures the A 6000m Teledyne RDI phased array 40 cm, and would therefore easily be Its performances are obtained international trade. There are various therefore operate at the highest for behavioural impact of 140 dB re travel huge distances underwater, but marine life within the ensonified hearing limit. Understanding the correct location under the nacelle. The This dive makes Titan the only Pioneer DVL, with XRT extended Specially adapted for the role by Saab able to detect any marine mammal thanks to its high-accuracy inertial As image resolution is a function of ways that anthropogenic noise can frequencies. Harbour porpoises and 1μPa. These thresholds are assumed to this distance falls as the frequency region, as it will reflect the sound impact of the transmitted pulse MacArtney has secured a contract from Norwegian Mooring tightening of the bolts is then carried commercially operated manned tracking, has also been installed to Seaeye engineers in collaboration that swam into the field of view. Since measurement unit, which can be sound wavelength, imaging sonars impact marine life: river dolphins have been recorded apply across the whole auditory range, increases. Using an attenuation back to the detector. If the images shape, TVR and directivity is and Loading Systems provider, APL Norway. The scope of out in two stages. submersible capable of reaching this provide critical precision vehicle with Sellafield engineers, the Tiger the Echoscope produces images in interfaced to third parties DVLs for on behalf of the Society for Underwater must typically operate at high using signals at frequencies of up to the upper hearing limit of 200 kHz. model, it is possible to estimate the are being generated in real-time the essential to determine the extent to supply covers a Moog Focal Low Voltage Electrical Optical depth. With the completion of this navigation capability at full depth, was chosen for its long-proven real-time, the operator would be able optimum positioning of the subsea frequencies. If high-resolution sonar • Sufficiently high noise levels can to 200kHz. This is considered to be range at which the transmitted signal operator could then potentially turn which the potentially harmful, low- Swivel (LVEOS) and a Medium Voltage Electrical Swivel The first stage is to initiate the fully dive, Titan is now poised to usher complimented by a Teledyne RDI reputation for reliability when to switch off the system if a dolphin vehicle. Moreover, all Phins Compact imaging systems are to be more cause physical harm to an animal by the upper limit of marine mammal High-Resolution sonar falls below the behavioural impact the system off to prevent any harm. frequency sidelobes are transmitted (MVES) for the Equinor Njord Bravo FSO project in the automated process of rotating the generator in a new era of increased access Citadel CTD. Teledyne BlueView’s 2D working in demanding conditions in (for example) was detected within the INS do not require any specific aiding widely deployed, it is necessary to damaging their auditory system. hearing. Depending on the application, sonar threshold of 140 dB. into the water. Norwegian Sea. and pre-tightening the bolts. During stage to the deep ocean for commercial and 3D high-resolution imaging sonar the offshore energy industry. When sensor to complete their alignment understand their possible impact systems can operate using frequencies A typical high-frequency sonar two of the bolt torquing sequence; exploration and research ventures, systems are also installed. applied to nuclear waste, the Tiger’s (no magnetometer or dual antenna). on the marine environment so that anywhere from 1 kHz up to 1 MHz, To understand the impact of transmitter will result in signal The LVEOS is an advanced swivel that has a 420mm diameter all bolts are correctly torqued and allowing up to five crew members to durability means that there is limited any negative consequences can be or higher. High spatial resolution attenuation a 400 kHz pulsed signal strengths outside the viewing window central bore with connections for multiple optical channels, stamped with a ‘Torque Approved’ dive to the ocean depths for a myriad The 2D system is used to support need for intervention by operators for mitigated or avoided entirely. The requires higher frequencies to be used, was analysed, including the impact of that are more than 20dB lower than Sonar image of capable of data transmission at 1 Gb/s. This combined with mark to provide a reference for manual of tasks and operations. navigation and obstacle avoidance maintenance purposes, considerably underwater acoustic environment and sonar imaging systems typically frequency sidelobes and TVR, and the the peak signal strength. For the a diver hazardous area certification and communication electronics inspection, thus illustrating the bolts while the 3D sonar provides detailed reducing their exposure in this can be divided into three broad operate using reference frequencies range at which the sound fell below reference 400 kHz pulse described for the vessel and the platform provides a safe and reliable are correctly tightened. The automated Teledyne Marine, with its wide 3D point clouds of areas/objects of hazardous environment. categories that are comfortably higher than the the impact threshold was determined. above this reduces the signal level communication solution from end to end through the process of the HGT tool reduces human breadth of sensors and technology, interest. 200 kHz upper hearing limit for marine outside the viewing window to rotating swivel stack. The MVES includes the required power exposure and thereby improves safety has become a key partner and Exposure to radiation for operators Natural ambient noise: This mammals. Excluding the impact of TVR this safe below the 140 dB threshold, further passes for 12 kV electrical supply and is designed to interface with the additional benefit of reducing extensive technology provider ”We could not have completed this is carefully limited, and unplanned describes a range of non-biological range was found to be 90m. Including reducing the size of the region where with the LVEOS, which will be installed above it labour hours. to OceanGate for this innovative amazing project without the great downtime will quickly exhaust their safe effects including surface turbulence Sonar systems operate by transmitting an approximate TVR profile, where marine life could be impacted. project. products and customer support of the working period in any one year. Technology. Reproduction of UT2 in from wind and waves, rain and a pulse of sound, and the way that this the transmitted signal fell by 20 dB l MacArtney recently secured an order from Shanghai Throughout this process, data is Teledyne Marine team”, said Stockton hail, collisions and cracking of ice pulse is generated means that it is not per octave, the safe range fell to only Case study: Echoscope 3D Electric Wind Power Group to develop an automated continuously accessible and presented in Teledyne Benthos acoustic modems Rush CEO of OceanGate. The nuclear-enabled version of the floes, and seismic events. This just the reference frequency that is 11m. This shows the importance of To gain a better understanding of how concept for a HGT – Hub Generator Tightening Tool - to real time by the HMI control system. The have been designed into this Tiger, called Tiger-N, gathers and sorts ambient noise reaches a floor transmitted. Depending on the pulse including TVR in the analysis, and gives all of these components of sound improve mechanisation and reduce human interaction in torque process is thoroughly monitored vehicle to provide real-time “text” With the completion of the metre-long, 15kg radioactive fuel bars at approximately 100kHz where shape, frequency sidelobes that are an initial indication that any negative transmission and propagation interact wind turbine maintenance. throughout and logged in the quality communications up to 6 km, recent validations dive, Titan is for removal to long-term storage. This thermal noise becomes dominant. only 30 dB below the peak signal can impacts from a high-frequency sonar in a real system, the Echoscope was The HGT tool consists of two parts – a turner tool that control report. Stacked Focal swivels allowing for the critical exchange of now preparing for its first major work can involve removing buried Thermal noise is due to the Brownian extend across the entire frequency system are likely to be confined to a used as a case study. The device was creates the rotation of the generator and an automatic bolt with the LVEOS on top information between the vehicle’s expedition, which will explore the radioactive material from 30cm of motion of the water molecules, spectrum. This means that a system small region. analysed at its standard operating Phins on the LAUV tool for torquing. pilot and the surface throughout the Titanic in June 2019. sludge. whole or in part, without permission, is 36 37 38 39 40 41 View the full size SeaRaptor on Stand U12 at Ocean Business prohibited. The publisher and the SUT assumes no responsibility for unsolicited OB19_Advert_Dockside_AW.pdf 1 05/03/2019 10:56

9 – 11 April 2019 Southampton UK 11 JUNE Southampton TO 2019 United Kingdom SMART material, nor responsibility for content 13 RESIDENT e-ROBOTICS The hands-on ocean technology In a world first, Saab Seaeye has shown that underwater SUBSEA e-Robotic vehicles can deepwater dock at remote sub- REGISTER exhibition and training forum resident resident docking stations for data transfer, Seawork is open for business assignment instructions and battery charging. FOR SOLUTIONS Reserve your place today and make the This breakthrough is significant for both the offshore energy *FREE most of free marketing support from industry and ocean science who have been watching Seawork and Maritime Journal - in print, developments in residency technologies for the substantial online, eNews and social media. operational and financial benefits possible from remote residency.

Saab Seaeye says that their iCON based Sabertooth AUV/ ROV vehicle, fitted with a Blue Logic inductive device, can S2C TECHNOLOGY: COMMUNICATION AND TRACKING COMBINED of any advertisement, particularly now successfully dock in a safe and controlled manner at different kinds of remote stations. - time, space and cost - saving solutions Europe’s largest on-water commercial - low power consumption for autonomous operations This development places Saab Seaeye in the forefront of advanced data delivery algorithms, addressing and networking, remotely configurable settings marine and workboat exhibition. offshore residency as the only system at this advanced - stage in the market. - extendable platform with multiple configuration options: power-saving Wake Up module, acoustic releaser, Over 70 vessels and floating plant. additional sensors, custom solutions, OEM versions available European Commercial Marine Awards (ECMAs) and “The Sabertooth is the only hovering autonomous system Innovations Showcase. that can operate in both AUV and ROV modes,” says Jan Siesjö, chief engineer at Saab Seaeye, Sweden, “and is the USBL POSITIONING SYSTEMS LBL POSITIONING SYSTEMS Show your latest innovations in vessels, equipment and only vehicle currently on the market capable of undertaking services to over 7,700 maritime professionals. long term residency operations in difficult to access locations.” simultaneous positioning and communication - no need highly accurate, precise and stable performance, to switch between positioning mode and modem mode simultaneous positioning and data transmissions The 3,000m rated Sabertooth can be based at a remote infringement of copyrights, trademarks, location docking station ready to be launched on pre- - flexible SiNAPS positioning software - flexible SiNAPS positioning software programmed or man-controlled missions, including - reliable data transmissions - reliable data transmissions inspection, repair and maintenance, research tasks and environmental monitoring. At the docking station, - range: up to 8000 m - range: up to 8000 m tooling packages are stored, batteries recharged and data Join 5,000+ visitors - accuracy: up to 0.04 degrees - accuracy: better than 0.01 m transferred via satellite or cable to shore. from 60+ countries UNDERWATER ACOUSTIC MODEMS 330+ international exhibitors will reliable data transmissions even in adverse conditions, showcase the latest in the industry, customizable R-series modems, light and compact M-series Meet us at “mini” modems, new S2CM - HS high-speed modem, OCEAN BUSINESS with an extensive programme of special editions for developers, S2C communication and 2019 positioning emulator - remote access or standalone device * The exhibition, training & demonstrations 180+ hours of live demonstrations. 9 - 11 April 2019 intellectual property rights and patents, welcome drinks and wine trail are free to attend. There is a fee to attend the National Oceanography Centre conference. - range: up to 8000 m - depth: up to 6000 m Southampton, UK Co-located with: Also returning in 2019 - data rate: up to 62.5 kbps Stand E6 Speed@Seawork Sea Trials & Conference

11 JUNE Southampton 10JUNE Southampton TO TO 132019 United Kingdom 11 2019 United Kingdom International Exhibition • Conference Demonstrations • Co-located Meetings Ocean Careers • Networking Conference programme now online... For more information EvoLogics GmbH visit: seawork.com Organised by: Ackerstrasse 76, tel.: +49 30 4679 862 - 0 [email protected] contact: +44 843 178 1277 13355 Berlin, Germany fax: +49 30 4679 862 - 01 evologics.de

or email: [email protected] In partnership with: Hosted by: nor liability for misrepresentations, Media partners: 44 42 43oceanbusiness.com #Seawork2019 BOATINGBUSINESS BOATING BUSINESS & MARINE TRADE NEWS false or misleading statements and UT2 105x297 1.1 130319.indd 1 13/03/2019 13:56 illustrations. These are the sole responsibility of the advertiser. Opinions of the writers are not necessarily those of the SUT or the publishers. www.teledynemarine.com2 3 X-PRIZE

WHAT IS THE X_PRIZE? X-PRIZE X-PRIZE is a global umbrella competition incorporating a COMPETITION series of sub-contests. One such is the Ocean Discovery X-PRIZE, About 71% of the earth's surface is sponsored by Shell to the tune of covered by water, but more is known $7 million. about the surface of the moon than the bottom of the ocean. The Shell Under the title of 'Discovering the X-prize was set up to promote the Mysteries of the Deep Sea', its aim development of technology that could is to develop rapid, unmanned and rebalance this. high resolution technologies to map the underwater environment. The final trials which will eventually determine the X-Prize winner have The competition rules prohibit been completed and the winners will manned support vessels and so the be announced in due course. recovery of the underwater vehicles must be carried out autonomously. This will NOT be an easy job. It will All of the data-gathering system try to determine the most successful components must fit into one 40ft technology in a field in which shipping container. there will always be more than one solution. In June 2016, the first round commenced with 32 teams being Over the final trials, teams were judged against 11 key measurement affected by bad weather, some more criteria to determine their basic adversely than others. Others were capabilities in meeting the affected by problems emanating from requirements for unmanned and third party technology. wide-area ocean floor exploration. By the time of the second round of These teams must hope that the testing occurred, the numbers were examiners look at the potential as as reduced to only eight. much the final result and appreciate that these problems would probably The second and final challenge, not occur if and when the technology Jamstec's AUV-NEXT commencing last November, was becomes fully commercialised. KUROSHIO to be held in Peurto Rico, however, extensive infrastructure damage Many companies, especially the ones Like many participants, the Japanese The AUV-NEXT weighs 2300kg and released on command to commence built by Mitsui. It is 5.3m in length and from Hurricane Maria caused developing brand-new technology, KUROSHIO team envisaged an can attain a top speed of 4.5kts. It can the survey. has a hull width of 2.2m. Weighing organisers to rethink their plans. suggested that they could have autonomous underwater vehicle operate in water depths up to 4000m. 1800kg, it is able to operate at a Eventually Kalamata, Greece, was benefitted by a delay of another (AUV) towed to the operations site The AUV is powered by Lithium Ion The ASV chosen for the project was speeds of 20kts. selected as the base for the teams month or two, until after the winter by an unmanned surface vessel batteries which gives it an endurance to launch their technologies. These storms have abated, seeing the (USV). of over 24 hours. were launched, by water or air into overall project development was not the 500km2 competition area. by a sprint, but a marathon. This surface vessel is used to An important part of the proposal was BLUE DEVIL OCEAN ENGINEERING monitor the underwater vehicle’s that it was to use more than one type The Blue Devil Ocean Engineering the drones and the data is The teams had to map at least half Nevertheless, it was a competition position and speed using underwater of AUV. Kuroshio, therefore, included group consists of members of the downloaded. of the area at a resolution of 5m and there can be only one winner acoustics. The information is then a second vehicle – the AE-Z AUV from Duke University Pratt School of horizontally and 0.5m vertically, – except that in the fullness of relayed via satellite to the team’s the Institute of Industrial Science at Engineering and The Nicholas School Blue Devil laid plans to map the identifying and imaging at least time, there could well be far more land base, with remote control the University of Tokyo. of the Environment. required 500km2 of ocean floor ten archeological, biological or than one winner. Different designs signals being transmitted back the using a 100-element grid of water geological features in depths down may prove suitable for different other way. This AUV underwent a major re- Their aim is to map the ocean volume columns at a specified point. Once to 4000m, all within 24 hours. applications. The X-Prize has proved modelling last year. Coming in slightly rather than area. The concept completed, the drone picks up a wonderful platform to encourage The underwater vehicle selected by shorter than the AUV-NEXT at 5.5m in revolves around dropping sonar the pod and drops it at another Determining the accuracy of a spotlight the development of new Kuroshio to carry out the trials was length. It has a hull width of 1.4m and pods from heavy lift UAVs or drones, location to repeat the process. survey is only possible if the results technology. JAMSTEC's AUV-NEXT autonomous a height of 0.9m, which all results in its into the water. As they descend can be compared with a baseline. underwater vehicle. Launched in weighing only 550 kg. and subsequently resurface, they The sonar data is processed Beforehand, therefore, Fugro was The eight teams that reached the last 2018, the AUV is 5.6m long but measure the ambient environment. simultaneously on cloud-based tasked to provide high resolution round offered a spectrum of ideas, characterised by a large, near- During deployment, the AUV is latched servers to generate a bathymetry deepwater baseline bathymetry some broadly similar but all with circular cross section, boasting a hull to longitudinal floats and towed to The pods are then retrieved by map. data over the whole competition unique attributes and advantages. width of 1.8m and a height of 1.7m. site by a surface vessel. It can then be area.

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Jamstec's AUV-NEXT being launched

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GEBCO-NE 3400 The General Bathymetric Chart of recovery system with tethering the Oceans (GEBCO) movement is and towing. It also contains the SUB-BOTTOM a joint project of the International auxiliary systems for positioning Hydrographic Organisation (IHO) and communication. PROFILER and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission HUGIN AUV (IOC) of UNESCO (United Nations Meanwhile, the team used the Educational Scientific and Cultural HUGIN AUV, ‘Chercheur’, owned Organisation). GEBCO is the and operated by Ocean Floor only international project with Geophysics (OFG). This came a mandate to map the floors of with HISAS interferometric the global oceans. The partners, synthetic aperture sonar, Nippon Foundation, is a private, multibeam, sub-bottom non-profit foundation established profiler, OFG self-compensating in 1962. magnetometer, water chemistry sensors, acoustic modem, and Their proposal is based on the a state-of-the-art positioning contention that all the required system. technology elements, such as multibeam sonar, underwater Its Kongsberg HiPAP System navigation, autonomous undersea was used for the positioning of vehicles, unmanned surface the AUV as well as command vessels, data transfer systems, and data link to the AUV and to remote control systems and shore facility. data processing, are all currently available. The autonomous navigation and • Pole Mount or Tow AUV tracking capabilities were • CHIRP Transmission Their aim, therefore, is not made possible through custom to reinvent equipment but to developed automation and • Integrated Motion & leverage and integrate existing software in conjunction with Depth Sensors technology, by developing KONGSBERG’s K-MATE common strong partnerships with service autonomous control engine. • Dual Transmitter providers. • Multi-Channel It was developed in a Hydrophone Receiver Their concept is also based on a collaboration between two-system AUV-USV arrangement Kongsberg Maritime and • “Pipe Line” Mode that can autonomously map the FFI, the Norwegian Defence seafloor for long time periods Research Establishment, and in a wide variety of ocean and builds on the HUGIN environments. AUV System. The GEBCO-NF Alumni Team’s data processing SEAKIT USV solution uses Teledyne For the unmanned surface vehicle Caris components and the used to carry, deploy and retrieve development was undertaken the AUV, the group selected the with assistance from the impact-safe and self-righting company. Maxlimer SEA-KIT unmanned surface vessel built by Hushcraft.

This surface vehicle features passive motion damping, stable single-compartment flooding and is able to self-deploy and stow its sea anchor. Inside, is the automated AUV launch and Manoeuvring the Hugin into the Seakit ASV

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10 11 X-PRIZE

ARGGONAUT The Arggonaut team also Bathymetry is achieved with The Great Diver AUVs proposed a AUV/USV 110kHz, 20W interferometric arrangement, but argued that sonar Bathyswath from ITER the seabed could be more Systems. Flying 85m above the efficiently explored by a swarm seabed gives it a 1000m swath rather than a single underwater width and better than 1m vehicle. resolution. Called the Great Diver, the AUVs Vehicle navigation is guided are 230cm in length and have a with a Sonardyne SprintNav 300 50cm width. They are powered INS/DVL (inertial navigational by electric motors and use system (optical gyros), Doppler rudders for steering. According velocity log) as well as an to plans, each Great Diver can Evologics Acoustic USBL/LBL map 75km2 in 20hrs modems (inverted ultra short

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Pressure Neutral LED flash (developed with GEOMAR Kiel) baseline, inverted moving Deploying the AUV is the long baseline). It has a target unmanned inflatable catamaran accuracy of 0.6m at 4000m Wave Strider. Measuring 594cm depth. in length and 287cm in width, it is powered by a pair of 5hp On board the Great Diver are motors. This is also is responsible pressure neutral LED flash for receiving and transmitting GPS units and a Zeiss Distagon referencing underwater. underwater to the great Divers by CFIS lens cameras housed in a S2C R 7/17 Hydroaacoustic USBL pressure chamber. The positioning is carried out modems from Evologics. CFIS is a non-profit organisation own individual surveys and we can by GNSS ATLAS and broadcast dedicated to developing and deploying combine their readings into a model scalable technology for exploring the once back onshore. oceans. "We are currently talking to a couple The Great Diver AUV "What I am trying to build is a cheap, of USV providers to see if we can get mass-producable AUV ," said Toby it incorporated into their systems." Jackson, principal of CFIS, " which can be scaled up to map a large part of the The AUVs are 3.2m in length and ocean rather than using large a AUV weigh 140kg. They have a cruising that is capable of looking at a small speed of 6kt and a maximum speed area in very high detail. of 8kt. They are rated to 5000m

"Each costs around $70,000 and the "Much of the AUV is taken up by a plan is to deliver even cheaper versions 14kWh Li-ion battery which gives it a PISCES over the next 10 years. duration of 30hrs.

"We considered developing a "To keep costs down, we have swarming system with the AUVs able incorporated only the basics such as to communicate with each other, but an Inertial Measurement Unit and reasoned that this was over-complex fluxgate compass, but for imaging, and a better solution was a cloud, there is a LIDAR system in the where individual AUVs carry out their payload," concluded Jackson.

PISCES ROAZ ASV TEAM TAO The approach of the Center for The Roaz ASV is a not only the inertial navigation system giving Team Tao is an UK/Chinese venture responsible for horizontal transit, Lightweight drones carry bespoke Robotics and Autonomous Systems transportation, launch and recovery accurate geo-referencing of sensory holding three main principles of data handling and communications. imaging sonar, as well as 360deg at INESC TEC revolves around system for the AUV, but also a host data. Communications system uses minimal localised complexity, self- The other is the drone payload. photography and lighting. At the the development of PISCES – for the acoustic emitter for long range a dual band RTK GPS receiver. It is sustainability and scalability. base is a contra-rotating thruster. Cooperative Robots for Deep Ocean bathymetry. It is a 4.2m long remotely- armed with thermographic and a At the centre of the WAM-V, is Around its waist is a downward- Exploration. controlled electric powered catamaran visible spectrum cameras as well The group says that it is departing a vending machine-type device pointing high resolution sonar capable of autonomous operation of as a RADAR used for large obstacle from the commercially accepted deploying the main drone payload. encased in a protective carbon fibre The project is based on the up to 8hrs. It can travel at 10kts detection. approach of high value complex When the subsea drones are ejected hoop. The battery pack lies below autonomous boat Roaz and the assets (AUVs) and wants to redirect from the vehicle, they descend and at its base are contra-rotating deepwater AUV, DART. There are It was originally developed as an R&D A 3D Velodyne LIDAR allows close the market to use multiple, simple, vertically down wards through the thrusters. also two other/smaller ASVs that marine robotics testbed and used to range environment 3D modelling low value assets which, when water column. travel at the surface in coordination demonstrate robotic life rafts/search and obstacle detection. Amongst the collaborating, form a complex and The designers say that unlike with the other vehicles, providing and rescue operations as part of the tools, are an Imagenex Sportscan industry leading survey ecosystem. At the top of the vertical drone is an conventional AUVs, the drones, rated acoustic pings for the DART ICARUS project. side scan sonar, a single beam echo acoustic positioning system/comms to 4000m depth, look at the water navigation system to triangulate its sounder and an Imagenex DeltaT There are two main components. unit above a sideways-pointing column as a whole and not just at the position like an 'underwater GPS'. Precise positioning is enabled by an multibeam sonar. One is a WAM-V surface catamaran, camera and LED lighting array. seabed.

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Although the range (altitude) is quite limited (10m,) the main purpose of the echo sounder is to provide the calibration for the surface-based long range bathymetry sensor.

If it is necessary to increase swath, this multibeam echo sounder may be replaced by another with a larger range.

DART The DART is essentially a customised deep water version of the MARES AUV with a new 5000m rated housing. Its keynote is its modularity, with a single pressure housing holding all batteries and electronics.

The subsystems are installed in flooded sections, however, to work in deeper waters, the central housing is replaced by a glass cylinder to withstand the extreme pressures. It is powered by a pair of thrusters for longitudinal motion and another pair for vertical motion and it is this that gives the AUV a hover capability," said Nuno Cruz, Research Coordinator, Robotics and Autonomous Systems, INESC TEC. "Being able to hover brings great advantages with close-up video inspection."

The vehicle power is provided by rechargeable Li-Ion batteries, which store up to 800Wh of energy. The designers, however, have specified an large compartment to allow different batteries to be installed should the need arise. The AUV has a drop weight in the nose. This is released at the desired depth.

The ROAZ and DART Image INESC TEC

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18 19 X-PRIZE Modelling | Measurement | Mitigation TeChnoloGy SoluTionS & enVironMenTAl SerViCeS

TEXAS A&M OCEAN ENGINEERING Of all X Prize finalists, Ocean ultra short baseline (SBL) system package provided by SES | Networks. Engineering stands as the only entry and a 120mm fibre optic gyro for The vessel has an autopilot and can from a University – the students and inertial navigation. It is powered by a be controlled or monitored with aid alumni of Texas A&M University. 44.4kWh battery for extended range from its three onboard camera applications and expandable payloads. . The project is based on the Marlin The Wahoo will communicate AUV, designed by the Texas A&M The Marlin AUV is designed to be and monitor the Marlin, possibly and built in close collaboration with launched and recovered from the providing override procedures for its industry. The 21ft (7m) vehicle uses 26ft Wahoo unmanned catamaran waypoint tracking. unique methodology to survey the provided by Deep Down. It will survey ocean floor. the seabed with high resolution sonar Amongst the equipment on board imagery. is a Ranger 2 Gyro Directional ultra Amongst the equipment on board short baseline (SBL) system and a is a Ranger 2 Gyro Directional This has an in-house station-keeping 120mm fibre optic gyro for inertial system, 2m satellite dish and a data navigation. It is powered by a Specialising in underwater acoustics and noise measurement, the Seiche Water 44.4kWh battery for extended range Technology Group provides marine technology and environmental service solutions applications. for the oil and gas, renewables, defence, construction and marine science sectors. • Digital thin line arrays for autonomous vehicles • Modular buoy systems • MicroPAM • PAM • Digital hydrophones • Camera monitoring systems • Sound Source Verification Marlin AUV www.seiche.com | [email protected] | UK: +44 (0)1409 404050

Wahoo unmanned catamaran 20 21 UNDERWATER VEHICLES

RESIDENT e-ROBOTICS Get 7 years of extra peace of mind. Building upon the extensive track record of successful subsea operations conducted thanks to our AHRS and INS, we are happy to announce that all new purchase of iXblue inertial subsea products will include a 7-year warranty*

In a world first, Saab Seaeye has shown that underwater e-Robotic vehicles can deepwater dock at remote sub-resident resident docking stations for data transfer, assignment instructions and battery charging.

This breakthrough is significant for both the offshore energy industry and ocean science who have been watching developments in residency technologies for the substantial operational and financial benefits possible from remote residency.

Saab Seaeye says that their iCON based Sabertooth AUV/ROV vehicle, fitted with a Blue Logic inductive device, can now successfully dock in a safe and controlled manner at different kinds of remote stations.

This development places Saab Seaeye vehicle currently on the market in the forefront of offshore residency capable of undertaking long term as the only system at this advanced residency operations in difficult to and maintenance, research tasks stage in the market. access locations.” and environmental monitoring. At the docking station, tooling “The Sabertooth is the only hovering The 3,000m rated Sabertooth can be packages are stored, batteries autonomous system that can operate based at a remote location docking recharged and data transferred in both AUV and ROV modes,” says station ready to be launched on via satellite or cable to shore. Jan Siesjö, chief engineer at Saab pre-programmed or man-controlled *Note that the warranty does not cover connectors Seaeye, Sweden, “and is the only missions, including inspection, repair and/or water ingress.

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HUGIN SUPERIOR

Kongsberg Maritime has recently robustness and proven track records technology and have seen the which again adds complexity and Increasing the number of sensors "It is only more recently that it released its flagship HUGIN Superior of the HUGIN AUV family but emergence of fuel cells as a potential weight to the vehicles. carried at any one time can increase has become more available to autonomous underwater vehicle represents the ultimate in tools and power source in other industries,” productive survey time and commercial customers who wish (AUV) which boasts significantly capacity. We are not discontinuing said Børhaug, At the moment, we The designers, instead, decided to contributes even more to reduced to make use of the same clearer enhanced data, positioning and models in the HUGIN family but don't believe fuel cells are ready for take advantage of the advances in operational expenditure (OPEX). images. endurance capabilities. adding a top tier." integration in the HUGINs, although Lithium Ion battery technology driven ironically, way back in early 2000s, by other industries. Pressure-tolerant Sonars are a particularly important “The latest HISAS 1032, “A key feature of the traditional One of the first priorities in the we used a semi-fuel cell aluminium Lithium Ion batteries are probably tool for the subsea sector. The HUGIN however, incorporates functional HUGIN design is its versatility, giving design was to incorporate more hydrogen peroxide battery as part of still most efficient and safest power Superior not only incorporates the improvements over previous the clients considerable latitude to power. The new HUGIN Superior the power source. source. EM2040 mk II multibeam, but also models. Being around twice the configure the vehicle depending on comes with a 30% increase in energy the latest HISAS 1032 Dual Receiver length gives around double the their specific survey requirements,” capacity on board. "Suitable fuel cells are not currently When not used for extending mission Synthetic Aperture Sonar (SAS). amount of ground that can be said Even Børhaug, Product Line commercially available for use in endurance, the extra available power covered using one vehicle. This, Manager, Marine Robotics at The optimum design speed of a subsea environments." can also be used to maintain current “In many ways, SAS is relatively however, requires a larger vehicle to Kongsberg Maritime. “Although vehicle is largely dictated by the levels of endurance but adding more new to the commercial sector,” carry it and that one of the reasons though the vehicles look superficially range and processing capacity of Another main challenge of fuel cells sensors. This will allow the HUGIN said HUGIN R&D Manager Bjørn that we have designed the HUGIN similar across the range, there can be its sensors. While this was already in underwater vehicles is the storage Superior to incorporate synthetic Gjelstad. "While the technology Superior to be physically longer than quite difference in what they bring to considered as more than adequate, of fuel (eg, hydrogen) and oxygen aperture sonar gathering, bathymetry, was actually developed about its predecessors. It is more than a the market. it was felt that greater power would and the fact that consumption of sub-bottom profiling and the use of a decade ago, this has largely metre longer than a typical 3000 increase the vehicle’s endurance. the fuel will change the weight and cameras, lasers, magnetometers, been the domain of the military, meter rated HUGIN." "We designed the HUGIN Superior trim of the entire vehicle. This may turbidity devices and a diverse range which used the devices to look for as a statement to show its “We have been constantly require the introduction of high- of environmental sensors for eg. mines and distinguish unexploded Synthetic aperture sonar is a type of

potential capability. It builds on the monitoring improvements in battery pressure active ballasting systems, methane and CO2 measurement. ordnance from rocks. side-scan sonar where sophisticated

HUGIN Superior

WiFi RFm GPS and Acoustic positioning and Iridium antenna communications transponders Pressure tolerant Aided inertial navigation system Lithium Ion battery

Pop-off recovery nose CTD sensor

Forward-looking sonar for terrain following and obstacle avoidance Altimeter HISAS 1032 dual receiver EM2040 mkII multibeam sonar Doppler velocity log Still image camera, laser profiler, sub bottom profiler synthetic aperture sonar

24 25 UNDERWATER VEHICLES

Same Real-Time 3D Visualization in an all new package

Perfectly sized for USV, UUV, and Vessel Deployments

Echoscope4G® Echoscope4G® Surface

HUGIN Superior

processing is used to combine forward. Using coherent reorganisation imagery from the side scan sonar. It multiple acoustic pings to form an of the data from multiple pings one is now possible, however, to acquire image with much higher resolution can build a synthetic image with high both imagery and bathymetry from than a traditional side scan sonar. resolution. In the HUGIN Superior, we the SAS, which means it is possible employ the HISAS1032 Dual Receiver, to calculate the topography from Furthermore, the along-track which is twice as long as a standard the sides of the vehicle and not just resolution is range independent, HISAS1032. The increased length below it, while using a multi-beam providing consistent along-track means that it is possible to go twice echo sounder to fill in the nadir gap resolution throughout the entire the speed or alternatively, achieve and thus allow a continuous swath. swath. With traditional side scan twice the range. sonars there are always a trade-off In addition to the sonars, the between resolution and range: high Synthetic aperture sonar has other HUGIN Superior also accommodates 4G® 4G® resolution means short range and advantages. cameras, lights and a laser profiler. Echoscope C500 Echoscope C500 Surface long range means lower resolution. When a vehicle is submerged, it does "The laser profiler generates data The Echoscope4G® Series is the 4th generation of the patented Coda Octopus “Travelling at 2.5ks, the new not have access to a global positioning in a similar manner to a multibeam Echoscope® technology, the world’s only real-time 3D volumetric sonar that HISAS1032 Dual Receiver can system satellite and must make up for echo sounder, but at a much higher- ensonify targets at distances of 500m this by incorporating a very accurate resolution, although it needs to be visualizes moving objects underwater, even in zero visibility conditions. Now each side, and together with a nadir aided inertial navigation system. By physically closer to the seabed. It with a reduced form factor, higher resolution imaging, and a wealth of new sonar looking immediately below virtue of the way it operates, the SAS provides sufficient resolution to software features, including consolidated images from multiple sonars, the the vehicle, this corresponds of a can also be used as a velocity sensor resolve pipeline anodes on the pipe 4G swath corridor of a kilometre," said with the aim of making autonomous itself. It gives millimetre resolution Echoscope series is Gjelstad. "It is possible to pick out a positioning much more accurate and instead of centimetre resolution Your Eyes Underwater. tennis ball at 50m, however, because thus allow the vehicle to travel for and is very well suited for close of the way that the sonar works, this a longer time underwater without inspection”. high definition visualisation holds needing to acquire an external position equally good at 500m fix. "In conclusion, the new HUGIN Superior is designed to deliver “A Synthetic Aperture Sonar is Another feature of synthetic aperture superior data, positioning and mission based on the principle of building a sonar is that it can also derive endurance, enabling users to do more synthetic array by ensonifying the bathymetry. In the past, the vehicles with a single asset than ever before. same spot on the sea floor over would get bathymetry information Ultimately, it can generate more data Contact our sales team or visit our website to learn more several pings as the vehicle moves from the multibeam echo sounder and for less operational expenditure."

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UNMANNED SURFACE VESSELS AS A COMMUNICATIONS GATEWAY by Phil Johnston, AutoNaut Ltd

For almost all sub-sea technology, a link to the surface is vital. By either using a physical tether or through- water communications, the link can be used to transmit information on diagnostic status, precise position and for data upload.

Whether a simple “assurance check” or an upload of months of data, the expense and increased safety risks of deploying a conventional vessel for such tasks can be prohibitive. Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs) offer key advantages as a “communications gateway”.

Crucially, an offshore-capable USV can free up valuable ship time. This is particularly true in the case of renewables-powered USVs that are able to complete long-endurance missions. This takes on real The Autonaut USV importance when the task at hand – such as data-harvesting from a sub- information to be sent from “over-the- (Marine Autonomous Systems) has sea asset eg, a monitoring sensor on horizon” to operations vessels and/or now matured into a well-respected a wellhead, – may itself be relatively shore in near real-time. protocol for “best-practice”. straightforward but involve major logistical planning. To maintain the link with a specific Of course, gaining trust that these asset eg, an Autonomous Underwater systems can really perform offshore Launching an autonomous craft Vehicle (AUV) the ability to “hover” as they so claim, requires successful directly from and to a slipway in a specific position is paramount. missions. In the case of the AutoNaut can be carried out in areas where Diesel-powered USVs, such as the USV, sea time has been clocking up conventional vessels are in short L3-ASV C-Worker, have an advantage through a number of multi-week supply. For further flexibility, the here in terms of straight power but missions. ability to readily deploy and recover can still be tested in more severe from a vessel at sea is a major boon – environmental conditions (high sea For proof that the USV will remain a valuable feature of AutoNaut’s new states). within metres of a planned track, generation 3.5m USV. even in hostile seas, “close passes” to Furthermore, a reliable and high- offshore installations have now been Importantly, by freeing up more quality link requires the “surface hub” safely completed by AutoNaut USVs in valuable resources whilst still to be as quiet as possible. the Pacific (for the Ocean Cleanup) and ensuring the integrity and position the Gulf of Mexico (for an oil and gas of sub-sea assets and retrieving their A major challenge for USVs taking on major). all-important data, USVs can make an acoustic communications role is to significant reductions in both costs marry consistent station-keeping with Applications for USVs, and marine and safety risks. a very low sound profile. Data must autonomous systems more generally, absolutely remain of the same quality, continue to open up within marine Payloads of acoustic communications no matter the cost savings. science, defence and industry. With equipment (such as ultrashort several USV systems now truly basseline (USBL), long baseline (LBL)) Before the potential of USVs is fully maturing, the emphasis turns to asking must be carried by the USV along realised, further assurance is still which type best fits a given specific with the means for transmission back required. niche. For the task of “communications to shore. gateway”, USVs with the right set of Ahead of full regulatory acceptance, capabilities are getting set to be game- Transmission over satellite allows for the UK-led Code of Conduct for MAS changing.

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The Autonaut USV

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COST REDUCTION STRATEGIES

All companies in the energy domain in 2001, with the launch of Phins, the together. If part of the system such as operating underwater during extended "We furthermore provide a post- increasingly look for ways of reducing most compact INS of its performance the interfacing or connectors is the wrong periods of time, a stand-alone INS will processing software, Delph INS, that “We have been providing Inertial costs. Olivier Cervantes (Vice President range, built on our expertise in FOG choice, then this potentially impacts eventually accumulate navigation errors allows the user to employ non- Navigation Systems such as FOG- Energy Market), from iXblue, a technology. We have, since then unfavourably on the entire product. This leading to drift. It is to limit this drift calibrated INS and DVL, and recover based INS for more than 20 years. global leader in the design and developed a complete technological is why we believe that integration is such that INS use external aiding. the calibration value afterwards. This Our INS are now used in highly manufacturing of innovative solutions ecosystem that enhances the a crucial part of every system. is very convenient when a DVL is challenging environments such as devoted to navigation, positioning and autonomy of underwater vehicles, "Some companies incorporate enclosed damaged and needs to be replaced. subsea and long-duration space underwater imaging, looks at some of from navigation and underwater VERTICAL INTEGRATION systems, so if a customer wants an INS, It allows the use of two non- applications, testifying of the the strategies within his own company. positioning, to subsea imagery and "On a larger scale, we believe vertical they have no alternative but to use the calibrated sensors, aligning the system robustness and reliability of the artificial intelligence. integration (where the company is same company's DVL for instance. We afterwards. systems we produce. The aspiration of any successful responsible for all the processes in its use the opposite approach so that our supplier is to provide what the And while technology enables a big supply chain) is the best way forward in architecture is equally compatible with RELIABILITY “Our INS have incidentally been customer wants. In today's market, part of value creation, it is not the order to push the limits of the technology our competitors. Reliability is also very important, qualified to withstand the extremely this typically translates as lower whole picture. The product also and its performances." particularly in the extreme harsh environments of land defence, costs, either directly, or by reducing needs other invisible attributes such “For instance, all our INS can be tightly environments of the subsea sector. with its extreme vibrations, shocks operational time but with no as embarked software, interfacing, Few companies, however, can deliver all coupled with any DVL on the market, iXblue provides, among other products, and temperature changes, and are compromise on performance, electronics, technical support, the sensors a customer requires. Some enabling users to choose the INS and a comprehensive range of surface and now being operated by over 60 reliability or QHSE (Quality, health, maintenance and a wide variety companies may have their own preferred DVL combination the most adapted to subsea gyrocompasses and Inertial armies and navies worldwide. This safety, environment). This is where of other services to produce a suppliers for specific components. their operation in terms of accuracy, Navigation Systems that are trusted robust technology we have developed iXblue see they can provide a major comprehensive package. volume, weight and altitude, with no worldwide for their high accuracy and of course benefits our customers on differentiator and a value to their “At iXblue, we master the full value compromise on the ease-of-use. reliability. the Energy market. customers. "What a company should aim for is chain of the technologies we develop. not just a piece of equipment but a This translates for example, for our INS “We trust that operational efficiency holistic solution," said Cervantes. “This (Inertial Navigation Systems), into the in- will be brought by the development is equally important at large scale house design and manufacturing of every of reliable autonomous systems and down to component level. components that are integrated into our remote control onshore. At iXblue we systems, including our own Fibre-Optic iXblue Canopus transponder mounted have always believed in autonomous "All subsea devices, for example, Gyroscopes (FOG) and accelerometers. on the manifold during the operation technologies and created navigation consist of numerous individual systems for autonomous underwater subsystems, which may work well “This vertical integration also ensures vehicles at a time when they were still independently but that bring valuable our independence in relation to strategic at the research stage. That was back added-value when they are joined suppliers and allows us to offer ITAR-free products that are easy to export.

"We also think it is important to be open to competitive technologies" said Cervantes. "While employing a proprietary format or protocol might have advantages, for the customer this is incompatible with free market selection. And this is why we decided to make our systems open to third-party products.

"Last year, for example, a market research suggested that there was to be a gradual demand for greater integration between the INS and the Doppler Velocity Log (DVL).

“The INS is a very important sensor in the computation of the navigation data, in order to get the best performance, it’s often integrated with other sensors such as GPS on surface or underwater acoustic positioning systems (USBL for example) or DVL (Doppler Velocity Log). When iXblue masters the full chain of its INS manufacturing

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“In total, our Inertial Navigation accrue, comes from automating solution existed on the market that Systems have accumulated over systems. This is particularly true of would meet the requirements of the 3 million functioning hours. Using unmanned vehicles that can be pre- mission. standard telecom-technology programmed or controlled remotely components with proven lifetime from shore. "We decided that we needed to and reliability, our units - including manufacture our own asset that their three Fibre-Optic Gyroscopes, This prompted iXblue to develop would be a game changer for the three accelerometers and system DriX, an autonomous Surface vessel hydro market. Our team of marine electronics - have demonstrated over integrating sensors in a subsea survey specialists worked closely 100 000hrs mean time between gondola and able to conduct various with our Shipyard in France to failure (MTBF) with the FOG itself survey and subsea constructions design and manufacture a dedicated boasting an MTBF higher than 400 operations at speed and with high and specialist survey autonomous 000hrs. resolution data. Pre site surveys, pre vessel that has unique sea keeping lay, as laid, touchdown monitoring, capabilities, can survey in very high “Having so many systems on the field structure installation, AUV tracking sea states and comes into a complete for so many years, we know their and communication, hydrography package with its launch and recovery behaviour well. And thanks to this and geophysical surveys are done system. This is how we came up with knowledge, cumulated to the high faster, better and safer thanks to this DriX, in only 1 year, from concept to field-proven MTBF of our systems, disruptive technology. launch. we are now confident enough to quote an almost unprecedented "The development was the result of a "The outcome was brilliant, with 7-year warranty on every subsea contract in New Zealand in which we very high data quality thanks to system that goes out. were required to survey an area and sensors deployed in a gondola produce a hydrographic chart," said located 2m below the surface. While AUTONOMOUS SYSTEMS Cervantes. "The customer wanted it was originally just for in-house One of the greatest potential cost to bring down the cost of the survey surveys, we followed the company's savings that a subsea operation can and we realized that no satisfactory 'open' ethos by making it available

iXblue Gaps USBL system

iXblue Canopus transponder installed on a tripod

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DriX performing a box-in operation for Total

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GAPS USBL System

to customers such as Bibby HydroMap, who quickly saw prime sensor fusion engine, from a navigation, position its value. We also recently demonstrated the system in and timing standpoint. They truly bring more robust Azerbaijan for a 'boxing' operation with Total, where it autonomy to the platform. delivered decimeter accuracy in 10 minutes and in 500m WD. PARTNERSHIP "Our basic philosophy is do what we do well, and buy During the trials, iXblue soon realised that it required a in third party input such as Lidar, cameras, multibeam dedicated support vessel and created their own launch and echosounders (MBES) etc, in order to provide the recovery system, DriX Deployment System (DDS). solutions we wish to deliver to our customers.

"This was a key point and goes back to needing to offering “We see great advantages, however, in establishing a complete solution rather than a product. If you don't partnerships which not only help us develop new have all the pieces of the puzzle, then the entire offering is complementary technologies, but allow us to have an devalued." input at an early stage and guide the development of the tools. But bringing more autonomy to the offshore market also goes through enhancing the autonomy of the subsea "We are currently engaged in many partnerships that will vehicles themselves. bring added value to our customers in the future. Most recently for instance, we established a partnership with “Navigation is an essential part of a vehicle’s autonomous Forssea Robotics to collaborate on an 'Agile LBL’ solution. capability. Thanks to our advanced and scalable INS, as It combines Forssea’s Atoll, an observation-class ROV well as our acoustic positioning systems, we are bringing that offers autonomous docking capabilities, with DriX, more robust autonomy to subsea platforms and are highly on which we are mounting our Gaps pre-calibrated INS successful on the AUVs market. And this is not only due to and USBL acoustic system. Thanks to this agile solution our FOG technology, but also to the advanced algorithms that does not require heavy logistical support, we are our teams of engineers are developing. Data is key to providing up to 70% cost-savings compared to traditional reliable navigation, and we can think of an AUV as being a methods. mix of a lot of very good sensors, including DVL, GPS, USBL and LBL. “Overall, we believe that a revolution has to be brought about by all companies that are cooperating and Canopus being The challenging part to make the platform fully sometimes competing beneath the surface, so that all deployed with autonomous, is to merge all those data to provide a reliable the various skills needed can be used to reach a common Forssea's Atoll navigation capability. Thanks to our advanced algorithms goal: inventing and offering new innovating solutions to and Unscented Kalman Filter, our INS have now become the bring operational efficiency to the energy market.

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TIDE AND WEATHER SYSTEM

Harwich Haven Authority (HHA) has Tide and weather chosen OceanWise to supply, install and system monitoring Wet-mate connectors maintain new tide and weather systems at the 900-year old east coast of England port. British marine instrument specialist Valeport has partnered with OceanWise to deliver the environmental monitoring systems and continue its long-standing relationship with HHA. Recognised throughout HHA, a trust port, is responsible for 150 the industry square miles of the Haven and attracts trade from all over the world seeing 40% of the UK’s container traffic travel through its area. The bespoke system for HHA uses the latest technology to measure tide, weather and wave conditions at Harwich and Felixstowe.

It includes a modern and dynamic environmental monitoring system with dual telemetry to ensure that continuous real-time data is available to LAUV the Port for its 24/7 operational needs. iXblue’s Phins Compact Series has acoustic payloads) and has a limited The integrated system provided been selected by OceanScan-MST, power consumption. The Phins by OceanWise was designed to the Portugal-based manufacturer of Compact Series provides position, incorporate best in class sensors within the , cost effective Lightweight AUV true heading, attitude, speed, heave a robust, weather-proof Valeport (LAUV), to equip three new vehicles. and depth for shallow and deep- Tidestation. To respond to the end-users’ demand water operations. for a higher position accuracy with a Housed within these tidal observation small size factor and limited budget, Its performances are obtained hubs are Valeport TideMaster tide OceanScan-MST opted for the Phins thanks to its high-accuracy inertial gauges fitted with vented pressure C3, which met all those requirements. measurement unit, which can be Full range of sensors or the water level VRS 20 radar interfaced to third parties DVLs for level sensors and in some cases a Met Built on iXblue’s Fibre-Optic optimum positioning of the subsea Ethernet connectors Station from Gill Instruments. Gyroscope (FOG) technology, the vehicle. Moreover, all Phins Compact Phins Compact Series is a fully scalable INS do not require any specific aiding The data from the sensors within the system and has been designed to offer sensor to complete their alignment TideStation is collected and transmitted AUV industry the ability to choose an (no magnetometer or dual antenna). via GPRS using OceanWise’s smart inertial navigation system adapted to 40 year track record telemetry and is transmitted to their vehicle, OceanWise’s cloud-based data whatever management and display system, Port- their size, Log.net for storage and publication mission, and of information. Port-log.net provides budget. fast access to the data, in a variety of displays, which can be viewed in real Contrary time or historically on portable or fixed to former devices. technologies, the FOG The new environmental system technology Available worldwide provides HHA with continuous real time is silent (no tide and meteorological data instantly interference Denmark Norway Sweden Finland United Kingdom to assist in all operational aspects of the with sonars Netherlands Germany Poland France Spain Portugal port aiding survey, dredging and vessel and other movement. Italy UAE Israel Turkey South Africa USA Canada Mexico Colombia Chile Brazil Singapore China India Pakistan Russia Belarus South Korea Japan Taiwan Australia 40 41 UNDERWATER IMAGING

THE DEVASTATOR PROJECT by Colleen Hahn, Gryphon Media Strategies

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In October of 2018, 3D at Depth also the substance and structures of participated with the nonprofit the marine biomass on and around Air/Sea Heritage Foundation in an the aircraft. Soft corals, sponges, expedition to document the largely and other underwater species could intact wreck of a rare US Navy not be affected during the survey Douglas TBD-1 Devastator aircraft process. resting at the bottom of Jaluit Lagoon in the Republic of the Marshall Islands THE PROCESS (RMI). The goal: to capture precise, In approaching what was intended repeatable, millimetric data to build to be the ultimate Jaluit Devastator an accurate 3D model as a 21st site survey, the group decided century site map for this significant to integrate a wide variety of cultural heritage asset and to serve the latest technology including as a “pre-disturbance survey” for the still photography, 4K video, 3D proposed recovery, conservation and photogrammetry, and 360 ⁰ VR. public exhibition of the historic plane During the planning discussions, at the National Museum of the United Brett Seymour suggested the States Navy in Washington, DC. possibility of adding 3D at Depth’s technology to the survey mix. The Devastator Project expedition was conducted under a Special Use Brett was aware of 3D at Depth’s Permit granted by the Underwater reputation from their successful Archaeology Branch of the Navy collaboration for the National Park History & Heritage Command. The Service on a previous project and team worked in close coordination from their underwater scans of with the RMI Historic Preservation Pompeii for BBC ONE’s television Office and were accompanied in program “Invisible Cities.” the field by Susan Underbrink, an archaeologist with the Ministry of Serendipitous timing and the Culture and Internal Affairs. generosity of 3D at Depth, made it possible to secure an SL3 subsea They also consulted regularly with LiDAR laser with its powerful local Jaluit government and the Atoll’s real-time 3D data processing unit traditional leadership. for the expedition’s field package. The addition of this revolutionary Of the 129 Devastators built, all were technology would take the survey either lost in battle, destroyed in capabilities to another level where it operational accidents, or scrapped would be possible to virtually reverse before the end of World War II engineer the sunken aircraft. (WWII). Today, no complete aircraft The October expedition team exists on dry land anywhere around structural integrity to potentially the very heart of the Devastator Marine Adventures and specially Using 3D at Depth’s SL3 Subsea included project co-lead and Air/ the world. In addition, little or generate an accurate 3D model. Project, an ongoing effort launched outfitted to support technical diving laser LiDAR technology, the team Sea Heritage Foundation co-founder, insufficient engineering information in 2004 by Russ Matthews, operations in remote areas like Jaluit could create a baseline survey Dr. Peter Fix, a specialist in the has survived in the archival record. Located in a sensitive marine president of the nonprofit Air/Sea Atoll and set sail. with 3D point clouds that could be field of materials conservation of habitat, the expedition brought Heritage Foundation. layered with photogrammetry and watercraft and aircraft, along with This particular plane is US Navy together a group of leading experts THE CHALLENGE other optical imagery (including the Advisors from the Advanced Bureau of Aeronautics Number and volunteers to conduct a safe, Over the course of 15 years and five Although Devastator 1515 appears the addition of stills and 360 VR) Imaging and Visualization Laboratory (BuNo) 1515, formerly assigned to touchless, accurate survey that previous expeditions, a dedicated largely intact, the sensitive nature of rendering a highly accurate 3D at world-renowned Woods Hole Torpedo Squadron Five (VT-5) aboard would generate a world-class 3D team of historians, archaeologists, the wreck and the often low water model. the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown rendition. conservators, technicians, Oceanographic Institute who were clarity provided limitations for the also part of the expedition planning (CV-5) with the fuselage code "5-T-6". engineers, and documentarians data collection process and other Over a period of six days on site, and post-production stages. It was lost in a raid on Jaluit on 1 The powerful legacy of service have come together to monitor optical imagery collection methods. dozens of dives were conducted February 1942 and is one of the few and sacrifice -set by USN TBD-1 and evaluate the Jaluit aircraft as a In addition, as a pre-disturbance to the wreck located under On 17 October 2018, the group remaining examples of this important crews, combined with the unique candidate for recovery in hopes of survey, it was important to capture 130ft of water. Some divers were boarded Indies Surveyor a 75ft dive historical icon that is both reasonably Marshallese-American history preserving this artefact and its story not only the repeatable, accurate, required to use closed-circuit vessel chartered from Indies Trader accessible and retains enough embodied in BuNo 1515 is at for future generations. millimetric details of the aircraft but rebreathers throughout the process

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The Devastator on the Seabed Image: Air/Sea Heritage Foundation photo by Brett Seymour

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of positioning and repositioning in pre-approved areas to check The SL3 pulsed at 40,000 1398 still images with photogrammetry. the Devastator. The result was not only preservation and visualization the scanning head for complete accuracy for both laser scans and measurements/sec for each an aesthetically pleasing image but the for large features on the seafloor coverage. photogrammetry technology. 3D at scan position acquiring very high THE RESULT: survey produced actionable data so including maritime heritage sites, Depth’s SL3 laser was deployed at density sector scans. 3D at Depth’s The SL3 LiDAR laser delivered a total post-production can render the entire coral reefs, and seafloor habitats. Others collected further structural varying ranges from the wreck site patented index of refraction of 92 million points with 5.7 million aircraft. and environmental data, making while maintaining a safe distance, correction algorithm was able to vertices. Each dense point cloud was In addition, the Devastator observations on changes in the so as not to disturb the surrounding deliver repeatable data sets in low then surfaced modelled and moved CONCLUSIONS Project expedition highlights the condition of the plane which is area. The steerable beam allowed clarity water quality where other into a 3D design computer. Optical The fusion of underwater LiDAR collaboration between a dedicated slowly, but inevitably deteriorating for flexibility and accuracy while optical solutions would struggle to imagery from photogrammetry, 360 laser technology and 3-D volumetric group of individuals who used due to natural forces. In addition, working alongside other technology operate in. Along with the LiDAR VR and stills were integrated into the photogrammetry offers a revolutionary enabling technology to preserve an registration markers were deployed applications. laser data, the team captured designs to render an exact 3D model of step towards the accuracy of digital iconic aircraft for future generations.

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PHOTOGRAMMETRY

In recent years, the industry has provides power and performs the "This means that unlike some result was XYZ accuracies of under a gradually assembled a useful imaging control, acquisition and real time systems, inertial or other navigation centimetre over a distance of 30m." toolbox, enabling operators to processing of the data. assistance is not required and achieve a greater understanding of this avoids the risks of adding an The camera-based photogrammetry underwater visualisation. "Since 1979, and before we developed extensive positioning error budget. service is aimed at general visual this unique system, we took images inspection surveys – not so much a Photogrammetric tools can now from a single camera and manually "The idea is to build a very accurate linear pipeline which is normally tracked provide a three-dimensional image stitched them together by referencing 3D model in relative and then using at anything between 500m and 1km/ of a subject, accurate enough from similar features on several pictures," traditional positioning techniques min, but more suited to large three- which to take measurements. said Bertrand Chemisky, Comex to place it into the real world dimensional structures that make best Many companies have employed Innovation manager. coordinates. use the ROV's hovering capability. lasers as the base technology to If you are using a GIS or Navigation construct images, however, camera- "This process could be eased by software and need to position This allows the ROV to move more based systems are just as advanced. physically placing black-and-white our 3D models inside, you could slowly, capturing more image targets onto the structure prior georeferenced them using several information to acquire sights from all One such exponent is Comex to the survey. These were used as already known reference points and angles. The downside of taking more Innovation, the vision and robotics reference points. The dimensions orientation of subsea structures or images, however, is that it provides arm of the French-based diving were calibrated from scale bars also use inputs from the ROV USBL to get more data that has to be analysed. and underwater pioneers. Their deployed around the structure. them (if available on the ROV). system, called the ORUS 3D (Optimal "Carrying out this work was very "We have to discard a lot significant Reconstruction of Underwater time-consuming and interpretation The accuracy of the system has been amount of data because of the Comex Inovation's three-camera Sites in 3D), is a product of over often revealed a disparity over the qualified in Comex's in-house testing duplication," said Morvan, "however, Photogrammetric system 10 years research and internal measurements." pool. early filtering and processing reduces 40 years background in subsea the amount to be stored data. The time So what is better... Laser or camera Unlike other systems that photogrammetry. It was used since The latest ORUS 3D is based closer "We have a large test tank in of transfer and cost of storage is also based systems? struggles to produce accurate 2016 on projects in West Africa and on modern stereophotogrammetry Marseilles," said Chemisky "which we falling. models of all cylinder shape most recently three times last year in principles. Furthermore, adding a third drained, placed targets around the "Photogrammetry and laser systems are models, the ORUS3D system is the North Sea. camera to the array obviates the need side and invited independent Bureau "Even as the inspection survey is being totally different but might potentially suited to measuring the ovality for the pre-placement of targets and Veritas survey teams to verify the carried out, we can immediately start complement each other. Large scale in large diameter tubulars or The system is based scale bars through the application of position of these targets using use transmitting the data to the surface Lidar or multibeam systems are good detailing upheaval buckling. on three very high- their unique scaling process. land survey techniques. and processing it if a gigabyte link at surveying large areas.Camera -based resolution cameras is available on the ROV as opposed systems are good for travelling within This has the advantage of that and associated The subsea embedded processing unit "We then re-flooded the tank, to having to wait for the ROV being this scanned area and carrying out it can recognise genuine colour. strobing led allows a real time first processing and carried out underwater surveys and recovered. higher resolution imagery and more This allows the user to detect lights, forming quality check of the data to prevent compared the results with those accurate measurements. erosion. a front sensor freak results and to guarantee full produced from the land survey. The beam. This is coverage of each scene. backed by a pod that "The cameras are accurately precalibrated," said Jonathan Morvan, Comex Innovation Business developer. "As we know the offset of the cameras relative to each other, the resultant image is captured relative to the camera rather than its geographic position.

Camera-based systems produce colour images

A buckled pipeline detected by the ORUS 3D camera

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ORUS 3D Camera mounted at the front of an ROV

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DIVER MOUNTED IMAGING MULTIBEAM IMAGING VIDEO CAMERA

There are a number of reasons why fixed on the other side of the helmet for become entangled. The overall result The new Fathom Systems HD fNETp l Power and data for the camera divers may find it difficult to see balance. While not particularly heavy in has proven to shorten mission times. diver video camera has solved is managed over Fathom proprietary clearly underwater. air, the weight of the assembly is virtually the problem of sending digital HD fNETp requiring only two umbilical insignificant when supported by the Tritech say that in the trials, they used video, interference free, over long conductors up to 600m+ Light is naturally absorbed by water. the eyepiece with a range of devices umbilicals without using fibre or water. The greater the water including their scanning sonars, but special cable types. l Streamed HD Video and live depth, the more surface light While the diver sonar has been concluded that the best results came data is then available over standard dissipates naturally, causing aimed at the commercial diving from multibeams. They specified the Needing only two umbilical wires Ethernet networks for video everything to appear darker. sector in general, it has gained Gemini 720ik but said that the Gemini for power and data, fNETp delivers management, recording and diver In bad weather, the amount particular acceptance in the search 720im also behaved particularly well. live high definition video pictures monitoring systems of surface light further and rescue community, especially with 1920 x 1080 resolution along decreases and at night, it is in the US where the product was "It largely depends which the client with the diver’s voice comms, over l Whenever a closer or alternative virtually non-existent. originally trialled. happens to already have," said standard Ethernet networks. Video view of a job is required, a second Donaldson. "The Gemini 720im is can be recorded anywhere on the camera and light can share the same Low visibility conditions may "In many cases, water visibility is so smaller and lighter while the Gemini network but is also continuously fNET using the optional ‘Pistol’ grip. also accrue from a high sediment poor that divers are virtually unable 720ik provides a higher resolution recorded locally in the camera. load or preponderance of other to see more than a couple of feet in image. It is possible to visualise basic l Bolt on features include diver particulates. Plankton-rich waters front of them," said Allan Donaldson, structures up to 120m away with the In addition, a high intensity monitoring system (DMS), dive can also reduce the amount of light Senior Sales Engineer. "This is clearly 720ik and up to 50m for the 720im, dimmable LED light is integrated management and table planning reaching the eye. unacceptable for those charged the 720ik can resolve more precise in the camera along with an software, camera control, viewing Eyepiece image with carrying out search and rescue imaging in the water column at independent battery powered and recording software To better illuminate the target, divers operations. 60–80m away." automatic emergency LED light often carry lights, however, the beams sonar to assist diver vision by should main power to the camera be All cameras in the range use can sometimes reflect from close- developing a body-mounted system. "Using this new sonar-aided visualisation, It is not only the imaging distance lost. Sensors measure diver depth, proprietary encoding firmware up sediment, back into the eye in This has eyepiece which sits over the divers are now not only able to see that should be considered – the heading and attitude and by adding and software, allowing HD video the diver in the same way that car facemask in front of one eye. This considerable distances in front of them field of view is also important, the a Fathom bailout bottle pressure streaming and recording. headlights at full-beam can reflect off eyepiece is essentially the sonar’s to better locate their target, but the Gemini 720ik has a full 120deg field sensor, the Dive Supervisor can a fog blanket. Recognising imaging screen. sonar also helps protect them while of view which gives the diver a better continuously monitor the contents this problem, Tritech has swimming in general, because they are appreciation about what is happening of the diver’s emergency breathing recently employed The sonar is typically less likely to collide with something and to the left and right. gas cylinder. Helmet-mounted video

l Standard Ethernet networks enable streaming and recording of Diver-mounted data at any location including over sonar marine WiFi links between LDC and INFRA RED CAMERA mother vessels Darkwater Vision has developed of suspended particulate (backscatter) camera/viewer system to help in the same manner as white light. l In addition to the revolutionary divers see in poor light conditions. It Instead of being blinded by reflection, HD camera, integrated sensors improves visualisation at distances the diver can see the suspended measure the diver’s depth and of 5-6ft but is particularly effective at particulate in certain conditions. heading which is transmitted to distances of 18ins –2ft. the surface over the same 2-wire link Illumination. A high-intensity It is based on looking at specific dimmable 9W LED light is integrated wavelengths in the infra-red part of in the camera the spectrum instead of 'white light'. l An independent battery "As the system is limited to the infra powered emergency LED light turns red wavelength, no matter how many on automatically if main power to lights are used, the image will not the camera is lost be substantially better as the wave dissipates over a set distance," said a l By adding a Fathom bailout spokesman. bottle pressure sensor, the Diver- supervisor can continuously mounted "The advantage of Infrared light, monitor the contents of the diver’s Infra Red however, is that it does not reflect off emergency breathing gas cylinder Camera

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INFRA RED CAMERA GIG E CAMERA In 2019, JW Fishers announced the latest in its advanced Teledyne Marine has launched a new range of GigE underwater video systems with the MC-2 Mini-Camera, underwater cameras with the sale of multiple units which was the recently upgraded from the MC-1 to to Seatronics for standard fit on their new VALOR include powerful LED lights. ROV.

"Many customers mount the camera on their helmet Launched in 2018, the VALOR (Versatile and and keep in contact with ship-based surveyors via our Lightweight Observation ROV) from Seatronics is the Video Recording System (VRM)," said a spokesman. "The first vehicle in its class to standardize on such high system also allows the mini camera to be pole mounted performance industrial cameras. for easy manipulation and deployment in hard to reach places. Leveraging the latest in CMOS technology from Teledyne Dalsa, leaders in high performance digital One company that has successfully used Fishers’ MC-1 imaging and semiconductors, the new range from Mini Camera and VRM Video Recorder to conduct Teledyne Bowtech brings this next generation of inspections for their clientele was W.J.Castle of New sensors under water. Jersey. It was hired by a local municipal water authority to complete an Underwater Investigation of a portion of Using Global Shutter technology, Bowtech’s GigE their water distribution system. Vision cameras allow transmission of sharp, high- speed video images and related control data The client suspected a potential leak in a over ethernet networks with almost zero latency. portion of the system, however due to the With frame rates of up to 862 frames per second configuration of the distribution network, achievable (depending on model selected) video access was all but impossible without a is streamed in the uncompressed RAW format competent dive team. such that each frame can be paused and viewed individually, eliminating the need for a separate Using a combination of the JW Fishers MC-1 digital stills camera & allowing vehicles to fly ARTEMIS PRO SX camera and the VRM-1, the Castle team was faster, reducing the time taken to complete visual Blueprint is integrating its ARTEMIS recognised, however, that a combined "Because the twin scooter able to achieve mission success and provide inspections. PRO diver handheld sonar and unit would be something that the integration is a larger platform than clear video footage of the underwater navigation system onto a military military market might find particularly a handheld device,” said Barratt, conditions. Such high performance coupled with a well- propulsion unit. It will be undergoing useful.” "we have been able to add a side documented software development kit, will field trials later this year. scan sonar, which is useful for Another Castle Group mission that required allow developers to advance applications such This thought prompted Blueprint to unexploded ordnance detection. the MC-1 Video System was for Hydro Marine as automated control, machine learning and "We originally developed the Artemis get together with SUEX, a leading Construction. The company hired Castle to photogrammetry, adding value through enhanced PRO for the commercial diving manufacturer of medium-range In essence, the GPS and Doppler complete an underwater video inspection resolution, better control and faster operations. market,” said James Barratt, Managing diver proportion scooters, to look for Velocity Log feeds data into the of a portion of a dam in Pennsylvania. The Bowtech’s GigE Director of Blueprint Subsea, "to opportunities in offering a customised Attituded Heading Reference System inspection targets were the upstream portion Vision camera assist them navigating underwater unit. It would essentially have the (AHRS) to give the unit speed, of a large intake structure in approximately or performing seabed surveying and handheld sonar dashboard, console heading and position. 45ft of water. location of objects on the seabed. As and or navigation system fitted to their such, it incorporates a target detection DPD. This meant having to modify the It also includes Blueprint’s Oculus Helmet and mask- multibeam sonar, DVL, Camera, layout of the Artemis PRO. The DVL forward-looking multi-beam sonar mounted MC2 Dive-Light, Acoustic Positioning, Data is now relocated from the bottom of and a diver text messaging system cameras Modem and GNSS navigation aids. the handheld underneath the scooter, so the diver can communicate with straddling the DPD. others underwater. Communications "Its integrated Doppler Velocity Log are assisted by an acoustic (DVL) and Attitude Heading Reference Blueprint has also just finished the resonating ring. The unit is also (AHRS) sensors allows divers to swim design of the Artemis ELITE, this is a fitted with a camera and lighting. a preset course using dead-reckoning fully integrated version of a similar positioning, removing the need to navigation and sonar system. surface frequently and obtain a new Importantly, it is integrated not position fixes. a 'bolt-on'.

"Some of the clients also use diving propulsion devices (DPDs) to carry them through the water and use the Artemis PRO as an additional aid. We Artemis PRO SX 58 59 SUBSEA EQUIPMENT

CURRENT PROFILING ACDP In collaboration with key technical Large bodies of moving water specialists, Nortek has undertaken often contain entrained particles. studies to improve the quality of Piezoelectric transducers within current measurements collected from the ADCP send out acoustic waves moving platforms. which bounce off these particles. By measuring the doppler frequency Measuring water flow can be shift from the echo, this can be achieved by using sensors such as translated into water velocity Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers values. (ADCPs), which are frequently deployed on the seabed looking One application is to mount the upwards to scan a 2D profile of the ADCP sideways across a river bank water column. to measure the water discharge.

Whilst this is a common method Alternatively, securely mounting of deployment, there are often the profiler on the seabed, pointing advantages to deploying the ADCPs upwards, allows it to measure the downward-looking on surface buoys water currents up through the water or sub-surface buoys. For example, column although in order to achieve this type of deployment supports easy a three dimensional image, a typical access to the ADCPs for maintenance, system will require three or more real-time data transmission to a land acoustic beams. base, or use with combined sensor packages such as offshore met Conversely, locating the unit at the stations. surface and pointing it downwards to the seabed allows ‘bottom Deploying ADCPs in this way can tracking’ with the aim of looking often be challenging due to the along survey lines. destabilizing dynamic motion induced from waves, winds and even the While there is a demand for currents themselves. systems to be installed on surface platforms the measurements are “Our collaborative team of engineers realized that more can check for consistency in the current When measuring currents, instead of case for the same distance along the quite complex and this can be experienced oceanographers and be done with our ADCPs to mitigate measurements. We used our most looking at one solid block of water, the beam, the measurement volume for seen in the general lack of industry these effects and improve the advanced ADCP to examine the column is divided into slices, called cells beam 2 moves from bin 6 to bin 5, and development. Nortek, however, are or bins. This enables the scientist to for beam 1, it moves to cover half of An Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler quality of current measurements effects of motion at the surface on the one of the companies that have collected in this way,” says Claire quality of the current measurements.” understand how the currents vary from bin 6 and half of bin 7. been looking at this area. Cardy, Director, Nortek UK. “The data the surface to the seabed in finer detail. collected from a surface buoy can TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS In this diagram there are nine bins. If Without bin mapping, the ADCP will be compared with data collected “If an ADCP is deployed straight, the instrument is exactly vertical at the put these tilted measurements in bin from a seabed-mounted ADCP to the distance along each beam will surface, the distance along the beam is 6, but with bin mapping, the ADCP be exactly the same; therefore, the the same for each beam and therefore will adjust the offset and put the The alternative option is to negate measurement depth will also be the depth is the same. measurements into the correct bin. the movement of the surface the same,” explains Cardy. “A small For example, in this second image buoy and remap the current change in the attitude of the ADCP, If an instrument is tilted, however, this the beam 2 measurements will be measurements. This requires however, can cause a significant means that at the same distance along put in bin 5 not bin 6, but beam 1’s the addition of a gyroscope- shift in the measurement depth of the beam, the depths at which they are measurements will be split between enabled tilt sensor and precise each beam. This is more noticeable measuring are now different. In this bins 6 and 7. ping synchronization, which was at depth: the more the beams are previously unavailable in an ADCP spread out, the more we see a bias until Nortek’s Signature series towards exaggerated current velocity arrived. measurements resulting from the the number of current measurement as turbulence studies, the individual “This necessitated integrating an vertical offset.” samples by sampling for longer current measurement is of utmost Attitude and Heading Reference periods, and average them together importance, and therefore averaging Sensor (AHRS) output into our There are two ways in which to to smooth out the oscillations. loses the fine-scale detail of the Signature ADCP, effectively enabling alleviate this bias. One is to increase However, in certain applications such current flow.

60 61 “DELIVERING INDUSTRY-LEADING SURVEY PERFORMANCE AND DATA UNDERWATER EQUIPMENT RESOLUTION TO OUR CLIENTS.”

MMT.SE A TITANIC CONTRIBUTION

Saab Seaeye Tiger us to incorporate readings from the accelerometer, magnetometer and gyroscope,” says Cardy. “The AHRS has a very high response rate of 100 WASTE Hz, which supports high-resolution DISPOSAL real-time mapping on a ping-by-ping After breaking all records for basis. Each individual ping from transferring waste material the ADCP beam has its own precise stored in spent fuel ponds, timing, which is matched with the Sellafield has selected the AHRS on the receipt of the return Saab Seaeye Tiger robotic signal.” vehicle to work in one of the most hazardous To validate this, Nortek placed an environments on the planet. Acoustic Wave and Current Profiler (AWAC) on the seabed and looked for The announcement a comparison with the downward- came after the Tiger had looking Signature ADCP unit. The Teledyne Marine has made a More recently, OceanGate has also worked consistently in figure shows a linear regression signficant contrubtion to OceanGate’s enabled the modem’s positioning the highly-corrosive conditions between the depth-averaged velocity Titan Manned Submersible project capability through the use of Benthos for nine months, during which time measured by the bottom-mounted which recently reached a major DAT, allowing them to capture the it only needed to pause for routine AWAC (reference) and the buoy- milestone by successfully completing position of the vehicle relative to the maintenance. Sellafield has now mounted Signature1000. a 4000m validation dive off the ship’s surface. ordered four Tigers for this extremely Bahamas coast. challenging role. As can be seen, there is a very A 6000m Teledyne RDI phased array strong agreement between the two This dive makes Titan the only Pioneer DVL, with XRT extended Specially adapted for the role by Saab datasets, showing how the quality commercially operated manned tracking has also been installed to Seaeye engineers in collaboration of the buoy-mounted measurement submersible capable of reaching this provide critical precision vehicle with Sellafield engineers, the Tiger matches that of the reference system depth. With the completion of this navigation capability at full depth, was chosen for its long-proven on the bottom. dive, Titan is now poised to usher complimented by a Teledyne RDI reputation for reliability when Correlation between bottom mounted AWAC and buoy mounted Signature ADCP current in a new era of increased access Citadel CTD. Teledyne BlueView’s 2D working in demanding conditions in SURFACE VESSELS measurements to the deep ocean for commercial and 3D high-resolution imaging sonar the offshore energy industry. When Taking current measurements exploration and research ventures, systems are also installed. applied to nuclear waste, the Tiger’s from an ADCP on a surface buoy large equipment is highly impractical data dropouts, particularly when allowing up to five crew members to durability means that there is limited presents similar challenges to using and an alternative solution is required. changing course quickly.” dive to the ocean depths for a myriad The 2D system is used to support need for intervention by operators for autonomous surface vehicles (ASVs), of tasks and operations. navigation and obstacle avoidance maintenance purposes, considerably which are becoming more important “On a moving vessel, it is not only Nortek is working on the practical while the 3D sonar provides detailed reducing their exposure in this with the rise of unmanned survey necessary to correct for the pitch, aspects of adapting this system for Teledyne Marine, with its wide 3D point clouds of areas/objects of hazardous environment. applications. roll and heading, but also for the autonomous platforms where the space breadth of sensors and technology, interest. difference in position during the on board is very limited. has become a key partner and Exposure to radiation for operators Not only is the ASV subject to pitch vessel transit, which is achieved by extensive technology provider to ”We could not have completed this is carefully limited, and unplanned and roll like a surface buoy, it has the combining the Signature ADCP with a “There are a number of practical OceanGate for this innovative project. project without the products and downtime will quickly exhaust their safe added challenge of transiting like a GNSS,” says Cardy. issues in incorporating these systems customer support of the Teledyne working period in any one year. traditional survey vessel. Measuring into autonomous vehicles: space is Teledyne Benthos acoustic Marine team”, said Stockton Rush CEO currents in this way requires several “The benefit of the Signature series at a premium for the various sensor modems have been designed into of OceanGate. The nuclear-enabled version of the pieces of instrumentation that is that sampling up to 14 Hz provides packages, payload sensors need to be this vehicle to provide real-time Tiger, called Tiger-N, gathers and sorts previously have been complex to set much better vertical resolution optimized to reduce interference, and, “text” communications up to 6km, With the completion of the recent metre-long, 15kg radioactive fuel bars up and configure for standard vessel- throughout the water column. most importantly, each autonomous allowing for the critical exchange of validations dive, Titan is now for removal to long-term storage. This mounted applications. vehicle is different, which means a ‘one- information between the vehicle’s preparing for its first major expedition, work can involve removing buried Combined with an improved bottom- solution-fits-all’ system isn’t yet feasible,” pilot and the surface throughout the which will explore the Titanic in June radioactive material from 30cm of For autonomous applications, this track algorithm, the result is fewer says Cardy. dive. 2019. sludge.

62 63 SUBSEA EQUIPMENT

COASTAL MONITORING NETWORK The recent award of a three-year maintenance contract for the hydrodynamic element of the Anglian Coastal Monitoring programme means that Fugro now supports the full network of Regional Coastal Monitoring Programmes (RCMP) across England.

Fugro’s coastal oceanography team has been involved with these strategic programmes for 15 years. The network, which comprises six regional programmes, is funded by DEFRA and delivered by Lead Local Authorities. It continuously observes and records wave, current, tide and meteorological data at strategic locations around the 5,672 kilometres of English coastline.

The inclusion of the Anglian region, which is led by the Environment Agency, adds six wave monitoring buoys and four shore-based meteorological stations, increasing the number of RCMP instruments under Fugro’s management from 62 to 72.

During its long-standing involvement with the RCMP, Fugro has also carried out bespoke surveys including a beach replenishment study in Poole Bay and oceanographic data collection to support the largest open-coast realignment scheme in Europe in Medmerry, West Sussex.

64 65

SUBSEA EQUIPMENT FUSION” 2

Sensor fusion is making daily lives 2, the successor to our Fusion LBL and easier, especially in the offshore survey SPRINT INS software. space. Edward Moller, Global Business Manager for Construction Survey, at Building on our experience in LBL Sonardyne explains software gained since Fusion 1 was launched in 2005, and subsea acoustic Where we once had positioning dating back to the 1970s, multiple unconnected as well as customer feedback, Fusion devices to tell us the time, 2, a single system supporting LBL, INS, make calls, navigate, email and check and LBL aided INS operations – has the weather, we now have smart been created. phones that do it all for us (before we even know we want it!). Smarter, A key enabler for Fusion 2 is the connected, faster systems are the latest evolution of our Wideband way forward – and not just for signal architecture, present in every commercial users onshore. Sonardyne transponder or transceiver. Wideband 3 is able to achieve faster Fuelled by the continued drive tracking, with 1Hz LBL update rates – for efficiency gains and smarter a factor of 10 increase. Crucially, for ways of working, data and sensor today’s time schedule and cost-driven fusion, system integration and industry, it also provides telemetry inbuilt intelligence are now playing and position updates in the same significant roles in the so-called acoustic signals, which means tracking digitalisation of the offshore oil and isn’t interrupted when sensor data – gas industry. This includes the survey attitude, heading or depth, etc, – is business. required.

The drive for project efficiency gains When Wideband 3 and Fusion 2 are has increased the demand for sparse combined with our new 6+ hardware, Long BaseLine (LBL)-aided inertial further capabilities are unlocked. navigation system (INS) operations. This is because when Compatt 6+ Sparse LBL aided INS can bring transponder ranges are received by an project efficiencies by reducing the ROV-mounted ROVNav 6+ transceiver, number of seabed transponders that Fusion 2 starts calculating its position need to be deployed for a survey. straight away instead of waiting for all the array transponder ranges to come This technique has been enabling in before sending them up to Fusion. significant savings for survey and This means operators know their ROV Offshore operations will benefit from Fusion 2 construction firms, but, at a cost positions faster. of complexity, ie, the need for two separate sets of software required to be individually boxed-in by you need for your project you can Because sensor data is embedded and hardware on deck and all the REAL-TIME SLAM ENABLING SPARSE LBL expensive vessels. Fusion 2 removes stop calibrating, start tracking and with the range data, you get fast ancillary interfaces that go with WITHOUT THE CALIBRATION COSTS this box-in requirement through the get straight to work. Fusion 2 can uninterrupted tracking. them. Traditional LBL arrays typically require addition of real-time SLAM calibration. SLAM calibrate, initialise and start a minimum of four transponders. This has been enabled by a new set of tracking with ranges from just a Sound velocity data can also be By engineering a new single In Sparse LBL, the SPRINT INS on an algorithms developed by our software single seabed reference beacon, accessed without interrupting solution into which these systems ROV can take ranges from a single engineers to run in the SPRINT INS. making operational start-up faster tracking, further improving – LBL acoustic survey and INS – are transponder and, because it knows and simpler. confidence in the reliability of integrated, it’s now possible to both its own movement, it can calculate its These mean that, using the raw ranges position updates. Fusion 2 has also reduce the amount of hardware and position relative to the transponder. from Compatt 6+ transponders, Fusion been built to use Earth-centred FULL LBL GETS FASTER AND Earth-fixed (ECEF) coordinates for interfaces that surveyors need, while 2 can compute the position of the MORE CLEVER also helping make operations both The key is knowing where, in the real Sparse LBL transponders without positioning and calibrations, which more streamlined, through simpler world, that transponder is. Unlike needing to box-in or baseline calibrate. For full LBL array operations, thanks means grid scale factors are not an workflows, and intelligence – ie, the full LBL transponder arrays, a single Fusion 2 manages the whole process to Wideband 3, faster ranging and issue. Compatt 6+ unlocks the power of our system does the complicated work transponder cannot be quickly LBL in real-time so that as soon as you telemetry updates de-stress and The previous lengthy workflows Wideband 3 signal architecture for you. This was the goal for Fusion baseline calibrated and, to date, have achieve the navigational accuracy de-risk mobile Compatt tracking.

66 67 SUBSEA EQUIPMENT

Using an iWand to make Compatt inventory management easier which involved selecting, adding and their operations how they want. A then giving transponders locations, surveyor can setup multiple position have been replaced by a simple computations easily, to compare process in an intuitive and adaptable different set-ups – from USBL aided INS user interface (UI). Fusion 2 also now operations to full LBL surveys - to see separates locations and transponders. which one is best suited for a particular operation and easily switch between This enables you to have multiple New World: One screen, One system them. transponders in a single location, such as a multi-bucketed tripod, and To further reduce hardware swap and change transponders in and requirements, Fusion 2 has also been out of locations - which would occur developed so that it works through our during the life-of-field cycle whereby Navigation Sensor Hub (NSH) - the same transponders are installed, demobilised hub used for our Ranger 2 USBL system, and re-installed only when they are so operators need less hardware (just needed. one PC, one sensor hub and one cable between them) in their inventory. Then, during the operation, surveyors can dynamically select and change NEXT STEPS seabed acoustic transponder references In the future, we’re looking to during navigation, instead of having to automate more processes and stop and reconfigure references. Once workflows, to further help surveyors tracking, surveyors can also easily track focus on the critical tasks. We will if they’re within their set positional also be looking to enable smarter accuracy limits through the UI. integration with onboard survey systems. With the Sonardyne iWand, the Compatts on deck can also be given All of our work boils down to making their locations prior to deployment processes easier, through integration – they’re simply loaded into an and increased in-built intelligence. iWand wirelessly from Fusion 2, then Automation and artificial intelligence acoustically sent to the transponders are becoming ever more intertwined wirelessly on deck – so you know the with our daily lives. status of them before they even hit the water. This all makes Compatt inventory Through projects like our Innovate management easier, from one place. UK funded Precise Previsioning for Furthermore, acoustic LBL and INS Persistent AUVs project, we’re bringing surveys can be configured ‘in the office’, some of this world into the offshore before mobilisation. arena, by making steps towards the ability to deploy transponders from All this can be done with complete unmanned surface vessels. It’s not just flexibility. Users can let the system sensor fusion, it’s sensor and system With ROVNav 6+, Wideband 3 and Fusion Old World: Two screens, two systems do the work for them, or tailor fusion. 2, tracking is easier and faster 68 69 ” UNDERWATER EQUIPMENT SONAR AND THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT

The growing industrialisation of provide navigation and situational into three broad categories the world’s oceans is leading to awareness information, as sonar increasing levels of anthropogenic extends the range of measurements Natural ambient noise: This describes a range of non-biological effects noise. However, does this have a that can be made with imaging Coda Octopus high-resolution sonar negative impact on the sea creatures devices. The growing use of remote including surface turbulence that use sound for hunting or and autonomous underwater vehicles from wind and waves, rain and hail, communication? Coda Octopus (AUVs) means that the deployment of collisions and cracking of ice floes, the long-range, low frequency songs investigates the effect of a real-time such complex systems is only likely to and seismic events. This ambient used by whales for communication, to 3D sonar on marine life. increase. noise reaches a floor at approximately complex pulsed echolocation methods. 100kHz where thermal noise becomes Many marine animals therefore have Many marine animals use sound As image resolution is a function of dominant. Thermal noise is due to complex auditory systems that may be for a range of tasks. Cetaceans sound wavelength, imaging sonars the Brownian motion of the water highly sensitive to certain frequencies. (whales and dolphins), for example, must typically operate at high molecules, and is a function of use particularly complex acoustics frequencies. If high-resolution sonar frequency and water temperature, Anthropogenic noise: Noise resulting for both communication, and imaging systems are to be more widely determining the minimum possible from human activity can range from echolocation hunting techniques. deployed, it is necessary to understand noise level in the ocean. the loud, impulsive, low-frequency their possible impact on the marine sound created by explosions and Humans working in the ocean, environment so that any negative Biological noise: Marine animals use geological surveying, to the ultra-high- particularly relevant, as several species however, may also use advanced consequences can be mitigated or sound in a wide variety of ways, from frequency (UHF) signals employed by utilise their own biosonar systems for for behavioural impact of 140 dB re acoustic systems, such as the avoided entirely. The underwater the impulsive cavitation noise used by high-resolution sonar systems. echolocation hunting. 1μPa. These thresholds are assumed Echoscope real-time 3D sonar, to acoustic environment can be divided snapping shrimp to stun their prey, to to apply across the whole auditory There is also a constant, low-frequency As with man-made systems, the range, to the upper hearing limit of component of anthropogenic noise biosonar systems of animals living 200 kHz. due to the perpetual activity of global in complex environments require shipping, which can propagate over the highest spatial resolution, and, High-Resolution sonar long distances. This has been shown therefore operate at the highest Depending on the application, to be increasing with growing levels of frequencies. Harbour porpoises and sonar systems can operate using international trade. There are various river dolphins have been recorded frequencies anywhere from 1 ways that anthropogenic noise can using signals at frequencies of up kHz up to 1 MHz, or higher. High impact marine life: to 200kHz. This is considered to be spatial resolution requires higher the upper limit of marine mammal frequencies to be used, and sonar • Sufficiently high noise levels can hearing. imaging systems typically operate cause physical harm to an animal by Determining sound levels that lead using reference frequencies that are damaging their auditory system. to temporary or permanent physical comfortably higher than the 200 • Non-harmful noise levels could lead harm to marine life is the first step kHz upper hearing limit for marine to changes in an animals’ behaviour in assessing the biological impact. mammals. that negatively impact their health, For imaging sonar systems this is eg, by driving them away from food particularly difficult, as there has been Sonar systems operate by sources. little investigation of the impact of transmitting a pulse of sound, and such high-frequency sounds. the way that this pulse is generated • Animals could be indirectly affected means that it is not just the reference as a result of noise causing a change Ascertaining a threshold for adverse frequency that is transmitted. in the behaviour of a predator or prey behavioural impacts is more Depending on the pulse shape, species. challenging still, as it is difficult both frequency sidelobes that are only to determine what might constitute 30 dB below the peak signal can Studies to investigate the impact of such a behaviour and also to reliably extend across the entire frequency active sonar systems on marine life measure it. An animal might exhibit a spectrum. This means that a system have typically focussed on cetaceans. ’startle response’ to a given sound, for that nominally operates well above This is at least partly due to the example, but return to their normal 200 kHz may still be transmitting suggestion that military sonar is a risk behaviour sufficiently rapidly that it sound below this frequency, and factor in the mass strandings of various does not lead to negative outcomes. could have an impact on marine life. whale species. A review of the available literature To understand the extent of the When considering the impact of high- has determined an estimate of the biological impact of a sonar system frequency sonar systems, the studies threshold for physical harm of 230 dB it is necessary to understand the of odontocetes (toothed whales) are re 1μPa, and a conservative threshold shape of the transmitted pulse, as

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this determines the extent of the frequency sidelobes and TVR, and the that only the region to be imaged will frequency sidelobes. range at which the sound fell below receive the full amplitude signal. the impact threshold was determined. It is also necessary to understand Using a directional transmitter has the transmit voltage response (TVR) Excluding the impact of TVR this safe two key consequences regarding the of the system, as this represents the range was found to be 90m. Including impact on marine life: system’s ability to transmit sound at an approximate TVR profile, where the each frequency. Combining the TVR transmitted signal fell by 20 dB per 1. The region where the sound levels with the sidelobe analysis allows octave, the safe range fell to only 11m. are high is greatly reduced. the transmitted signal level to be This shows the importance of including 2. The high noise region is within the JW Fishers Mfg., Inc calculated for the whole frequency TVR in the analysis, and gives an initial system’s field of view. This means the spectrum. indication that any negative impacts operator will be able to detect large (800)822-4744 from a high-frequency sonar system marine life within the ensonified Sound propagation are likely to be confined to a small region, as it will reflect the sound (508)822-7330 back to the detector. If the images Low-frequency sound can potentially region. Email: [email protected] travel huge distances underwater, but Directivity are being generated in real-time the this distance falls as the frequency The rapid attenuation of high- operator could then potentially turn www.jwfishers.com increases. Using an attenuation frequency sound has implications for the system off to prevent any harm. model, it is possible to estimate the the design of high-resolution sonar range at which the transmitted signal systems. Specifically, it is impractical A typical high-frequency sonar falls below the behavioural impact to transmit the pulse uniformly in transmitter will result in signal threshold of 140 dB. all directions, as this would require strengths outside the viewing a significant amount of power. As window that are more than 20dB To understand the impact of a result, the transmitters on such lower than the peak signal strength. attenuation a 400 kHz pulsed signal systems are often configured to give a For the reference 400 kHz pulse was analysed, including the impact of carefully directed pulse of sound, such described above this reduces the signal level outside the viewing window to below the 140 able to detect any marine mammal that swam into the dB threshold, further reducing the size of the region where field of view. Since the Echoscope produces images in marine life could be impacted. real-time, the operator would be able to switch off the system if a dolphin (for example) was detected within Case study: Echoscope 3D the impact zone, thereby minimising any biological To gain a better understanding of how all of these impact. components of sound transmission and propagation interact in a real system, the Echoscope was used as a case The analysis of the Echoscope has demonstrated that study. The device was analysed at its standard operating the noise impact zone is confined to a small region frequency of 375kHz, with the impact of the measured that extends less than 25 m in front of the device. TVR and directivity profiles included in the model. The Given that these systems are typically operated from a pulse shape was modified to closely match the 7cm pulse moving vessel it is likely that their noise impact will be transmitted by the real system, and the peak signal strength significantly less than that due to the vessel’s engine, at 1m was set to the measured valued of 210 dB re 1 μPa. meaning that the incremental noise impact is negligible.

The frequency spectrum was calculated at a point 1m This analysis is consistent with anecdotal experience directly in front of the transmitter, and the frequency of using the Echoscope, where fish and dolphins have dependent attenuation was then applied to find the been observed swimming unperturbed within the maximum distance the sound would propagate before system’s field of view. falling below the 140 dB impact threshold. Summary The frequency that propagated the furthest before Using conservative estimates of biological noise impact attenuating to a safe level was found to be 194 kHz, with the thresholds, it has been shown that a high-frequency sound level falling below 140dB at 25m from the transmitter. sonar system can potentially impact marine life, even Including the impact of the Echoscope transmitter’s when the nominal operating frequency is well above the directivity confirmed that the impact zone was almost animal’s hearing limit. Understanding the impact of the Sonar image of entirely within the system’s field of view. transmitted pulse shape, TVR and directivity is essential a diver to determine the extent to which the potentially At a range of 25m the Echoscope is able to resolve any harmful, low-frequency sidelobes are transmitted into object larger than 40 cm, and would therefore easily be the water.

72 Phins on the LAUV 73 Emp A4+bld 1/17/18 1:52 PM Page 1

SUBSEA EQUIPMENT

MACARTNEY SWIVEL FOR NJORD FPSO A Floating Storage and Offloading (FPSO) project in the The MacArtney Group has been EMPOWERING Norwegian Sea is to benefit from high-end products for developing and supplying winch data and process control from MacArtney and Moog Focal. systems for the offshore Oil & MacArtney has secured a contract from Norwegian Mooring Gas market for four decades. and Loading Systems provider, APL Norway. The scope of supply covers a Moog Focal Low Voltage Electrical Optical This MERMAC R40 AHC winch, Swivel (LVEOS) and a Medium Voltage Electrical Swivel engineered for offshore work in (MVES) for the Equinor Njord Bravo FSO project in the weather conditions of minimum Norwegian Sea. Hs (Significant Wave Height) of 3 meters during launch, The LVEOS is an advanced swivel that has a 420mm diameter recovery and operations is central bore with connections for multiple optical channels, of compact design and fitted capable of data transmission at 1 Gb/s. This combined with with a right angle level wind. hazardous area certification and communication electronics The MERMAC R40 AHC winch for the vessel and the platform provides a safe and reliable is supplied with a Moog Focal communication solution from end to end through the combined Electro Optical Slip rotating swivel stack. The MVES includes the required power Ring. The winch is umbilical passes for 12 kV electrical supply and is designed to interface compatible and fitted with slip Stacked Focal swivels with with the LVEOS, which will be installed above it. ring and joint box suitable for the LVEOS on top single mode fibre optics.

l MacArtney also recently secured an order from The MERMAC winch system purchased by ASN, part of Shanghai Electric Wind Power Group to develop an the Nokia Corporation, will be utilised aboard the Ile de automated concept for a Hub Generator Tightening Tool Class vessel in the laying of seismic cabling and sensors (HGT) to improve mechanisation and reduce human that will be permanently deployed on the Barents’ seabed interaction in wind turbine maintenance. to enable more frequent and improved 4D seismic interpretation of the subsurface. The HGT tool consists of two parts – a turner tool that creates the rotation of the generator and an automatic bolt The Active Heave Compensation works to reduce tool for torquing. the influence of wave movement on the Touchdown Monitoring System and enables it to accurately lay the Prior to torquing each bolt, the hub/generator is positioned seismic cables and sensors in the correct position on the using an optical sensor system that ensures the correct seabed. location under the nacelle. The tightening of the bolts is then carried out in two stages. MERMAC AHC winch has facilitated the laying of The first stage is to initiate the fully automated process of Equinor’s new Permanent Reservoir Monitoring System rotating the generator and pre-tightening the bolts. During in the Barents Sea. stage two of the bolt torquing sequence; all bolts are correctly torqued and stamped with a ‘Torque Approved’ mark to provide a reference for manual inspection, thus illustrating the bolts are correctly tightened. The automated process of the HGT tool reduces human exposure and thereby improves safety with the additional benefit of reducing labour hours.

Throughout this process, data is continuously accessible and presented in real time by the HMI control system. The torque process is thoroughly monitored throughout and logged in the quality control report. WORLD LEADER IN UNDERWATER e-ROBOTIC SYSTEMS l MacArtney’s MERMAC R40 AHC Winch, aboard the ASN Ile de Class vessel, will be facilitating the effective laying of seismic cables on the seabed of the Johan Castberg oilfield in the Barents Sea for Equinor’s new Permanent Reservoir Monitoring system.

74 75 THE FUTURE IS ELECTRIC EQUIPMENT

MacArtney also recently secured an order from Shanghai Electric Wind Power Group to develop an automated concept for a Hub Generator Tightening Tool (HGT) to improve mechanisation and reduce human interaction in wind turbine maintenance. Image: Hub is moved into position 76 77 OB19_Advert_Dockside_AW.pdf 1 05/03/2019 10:56

FRIDAY PHOTOS

9 – 11 April 2019 Southampton UK FRIDAY PHOTOS The hands-on ocean technology Weekly images and conversations on the UT2Subsea Linked-in site REGISTER exhibition and training forum FOR *FREE

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Elf's Skuld project demonstrated the remote control of subsea operations over 20m distances. It was totally driverless. Sub-sea remote control is a major International Exhibition • Conference Superskuld aimed to see whether the same hardware could be used in 300 factor for all concerned in O&G , Demonstrations • Co-located Meetings metres of water. In 1985, tests showed that was possible. although a dearth of "specialists" could be a problem in the short Ocean Careers • Networking Conference programme now online... The concept could only be used on gas wells. term.

In partnership with: Hosted by: 78 79oceanbusiness.com FRIDAY PHOTOS

Brae A Jacket - There were a couple town. Big engineering that’s now the Viking jackets on it and stranded of guys on the top of the jackets just a memory terrible that the across the other side on the sandbar and they were lifted off by PLM government is allowing such work on the day they were due to sail Helicopters from Dalcross. to go overseas when we have so away? many skilled here The 2 little jackets were for Danbor, Aye it’s sad Sammy that we don’t Worked on Brae B at Davy Offshore a Danish company. I worked on them do more. I worked on the Beatrice Modules , 11 Modules, they got it all as I was at McDermotts Ardersier jackets last year at bifab but it’s all built for a fraction, crap rates and from 1975 until 1984. gone to Europe now crap Unions

Was my 1st hook up in 1986. Vulcan 1 valiant and vanguard were Worked there on Piper Bravo in the 3 jackets that Howard Doris 1990 Yep. Easy done. We actually had a were working on problem with the accomm jkt during installation in May 87. We had to Yep they had only just started prep take it out, back to ardersier to on the basic bents refit the anodes and reinstall in Dec 87...... HMC is currently preparing to take Memories when you think all the out Brae Bravo topsides and jacket, wind farm jackets for Uk � waters great to see another pic from the are being built overseas archives! Barges - probably the one in smaller jacket were Conoco's and Remember the jacket piles that Koen. Time flys. I worked for HE in the picture went walkabout one had been pulled from Howard were built by steel engineering in Regent street London office in 82 Marathon blustery afternoon and drifted off Doris ?. when it went into westway at renfrew got pictures on the early Brae inst studies. Left to the far side of the channel, just receivership the previous year. I do of them being moved through the HE for Brown & Root and worked Brae B/Viking remember that one of the Conoco missing the lower bottles on the on the Brae B jacket & MSF detail design...wow. when I first come McDermott's yard in Ardersier across the infamous Henk Van with the Marathon Brae B jacket Dalen (Snr)..who I become to know and the smaller Viking jackets for well when working for different Conoco. Here’s M57 for Marathon Brae B (Module Support Frame) bring operators over the years when we were negotiating T&I contracts. Definitely not Viking jackets in rolled out to barge. The other half M58 (still in assembly hall) . 1990. Viking A and B complexes Ah memories. The Conoco jackets and small four legged unmanned were sole sourced to McD after satellites had been there a long the collapse of Howard Doris. My time when I dived on them in 83. brother developed and let the McD contract over a weekend, over zapata nordic was the other. which my team worked to create multiple copies of every single 1976/77 Viking if I remember. engineering deliverable. Most have been thousands of specs and I worked on these 2 modules plus drawings. Fast work. We got the Flare Jacket and Flare Bridge at certification out of Doris pretty HiFab Nigg in 1985 to 1987. sharpish

The yard was very busy in those I worked at McDermotts at that years. time and the 2 little jackets you see were for Danbor, a Danish oil Worked there on Strathspey company.In fact I also worked on Manifold SSIV etc the Marathon Brae "A" jacket also. This would be early summer 1987 just prior to sail away . My Those were the days!! If I recall recollection is that the other one of the barges broke free with

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FRIDAY PHOTOS Subsea Awareness Course Aberdeen Do you want to know about Subsea?

Understand the full lifecycle of subsea oil and gas, from field developments inception through to Transworld 61 decommissioning sharing experiences and operational lessons learned – presented by technical authorities and experienced personnel from operators, contractors and technical specialists. In the winter of 1973, the newly-built Transocean 3 was in Stavanger for fitting out. She was moored in 104m of water, waiting for an improvement in the weather. Cracks, however, started to appear and by New Year's day 1974, the barge was abandoned. Later that The Society for Underwater Technology Subsea Awareness Course is widely recognised by the industry day, the port leg broke off and it capsized. globally and has been adopted by many as the foundation course for a wide range of personnel, both technical and non-technical; suitable for operators, contractors and industry associated Around the same time, her twin sister rig, Transworld 61 , showed damage in the leg connections, organisations for example; legal, finance, government organisations. albeit less severe, and was towed to Bergen. It had already shown extensive cracking while drilling for Sun Oil two years earlier. It was able to provide valuable information for the Tranworld 3 inquest. This course provides the complete underpinning for new entrants and a refresher for experienced personnel wishing to update their knowledge within the oil and gas subsea sector. When TO3 went down on location offshore, TW61 was just over the horizon in the same weather. Weather was Visit our website for more information and the next available course dates: not that bad. In the inquest investigation, TO3’s demise https://www.sut.org/branch/aberdeen/ssac/ was blamed on the crew not or email [email protected] understanding the need to keep leg wedges in place, and the UK authorities prescribed “better training.”

This analyses by the UK authorities was completely flawed. The true story never came out. Hibernia That in fact TO3 construction Hibernia was discovered offshore Canada in 1979 and eventually came on stream in 1997 from a concrete Gravity Base was modified in the German Structure sitting on the seabed in 80m of water. shipyard in an unapproved This was selected as being able to withstand floating icebergs. fashion which resulted in outer leg movement and main A number of other production strategies were proposed before the GBS was selected. One such was 100,000t purpose- holding pin failure. built semisubmersible with floating storage and 32 subsea wells. Another concept envisaged a submarine-type storage used in conjunction with a number of semisubmersible platforms No crew could have saved the unit at the time. (The photo shown is TW 61 in the Sasebo Shipyard in Japan before it's first drilling work in South Africa.)

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Esmond Galaxy 1 deck lift Jack up rigs tend to be cheaper to In April 1985, Heerema's Balder operate than Semisubmersibles but crane vessel broke the heavy have water depth limitations. In the lift record when it placed the summer of 1991, however, Santa 5400mt processing deck on Fe's Galaxy 1 set sail from Singapore Hamilton Brothers' Esmond to the North Sea. jacket. The previous record was for the 4100t lift of Conoco's This not only had 171m legs and Kotter deck. thus able to operate in 110m water depths – far greater than traditional On the Esmond lift, the lift jack up rigs – but had the necessary approached Balder's maximum equipment to drill niche high lifting capacity. The smaller pressure wells. Previous drilling the (2700t max) crane was fixed high pressure Central North Sea while the larger (3000t max) area had resulted in several major crane rotated. drilling incidents, the most notable At the time, the Micoperi 7000 being the Ocean Odyssey blowout in and McDermott's DB102 were 1988 and Saga's 2/4-14 well a year still being built. Within years, later. Heerema would later upgraded the Balder and the Hermod to It went on to be very successful 9000t each.

I remember when we brought the Rowan Gorilla 2 into SB Offshore Base (North Inch) at Letterhead. I have a full.portfolio of images shot by Bill Taylor. It was a stunning sight. Tom Cardale the Base Manager was chuffed we landed the mobilisation contract.

Wash always at the spud cans was often a on soft sand. On one sortie to inspect for such using an RCV 225 off Gt Yarmouth on the Dyvi Beta I climbed the 450 feet to the top of a leg to photograph the ROV spread from above. Lotta fun. Crazy days. Glad to have been a part of it all.

UT2 - Thanks for the memories, I had the pleasure of visiting this jack up to fix a Trojan ROV in the North Sea back in 96!

Fast forward 34 years and the Kotter is being decommissioned. Do you perhaps also have some pictures of Unocal's (Currently Petrogas) Haven-A (former Helder-B) being lifted into place, iirc that was also a Heerema job?

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Dimos multibore connector testing at DUC's Dagmar jacket, 1990 Kongsberg The first of a new generation of lightweight STAR platforms, the engineering and design was carried out by Ramboll and Hannemann. The central column was 3m in diameter.

Note the semicircular pile guides on the top of each leg to assist installation

In 1986, Shell tested its DIMOS (Diverless Installable and Maintainable Oil Production System) for work beyond the range of hyperbaric diving. It was conceived by Shell International in The Hague.

It was based around a central manifold, with items such as valve and control equipment likely to fail arranged in easily retrievable modules.

While the UMC on Central Cormorant's approach was to use a specialised vehicle to repair or replace components, DIMOS looked to replace the whole module.

.There are clear similarities to the jacket Fabrication of a jacket in vertical designs now being deployed for OWF. direction should be a considered Ramboll are a big player in that field, so method due to site dimension control I guess it's not too surprising that the issues and also the availability of experience has been transferred across suitable lifting cranes at the yard. with good effect However, there are advantages for selection of offshore installation I was on the Dagmar last month barge for this type of small jacket.

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AH001 at HiFab We have had this before but this is a better picture. The conversion of the Amerada Hess 001 to produce the Ivanhoe/ Rob Roy fields. The semi lies in the graving dock at HiFab, Nigg. Work included the addition of two additional 45m long, 6.4m diameter cross- pontoon sections. The platform is now called When I was Executive Director at Wood oilfield logistics. His father-in-law, Bill If i remember correctly, the 500t the FPF1. Group Offshore we secured Monsanto Byatt, was Monsanto's materialsman. Clyde crane ended up a Dock Crane as a Clint to support their 7th Round What goes around, comes around! in Singapore Licence commitments. They turned out to be Rib Roy and Ivanhoe. In time Well said Jim...Sam was accompanied Proof load tested the Clyde crane in another of our 7th Round new start by Bill Pinks and Wyndham Jones both the Dry Dock at Nigg using steel test clients, Amerada Hess, purchased the from Amerada Hess along with our dear weights and large lifting frame before assets. We developed Wood Marine friend David Lefevre the Clyde was removed and sold to Base in Gt Yarmouth to support AH's Far East. Few 40ft artics in the dry first well on the UKCS. I remember Engineering by BRV in Wimbledon dock that week! Leon Hess introducing me to a shy young man on his inaugural visit to Benn on her both as the 001 and as FPF1 Scott Glatley, good old days. the qusyside on the opening visit, Sam In fact i remember being on her Laidlaw!! An historic moment maybe? I did work on the BE MK100 cranes in when she was still Philips SS, during Glenn Hurrah, now head of ASCo was McNulty Yard in South Shields. my apprentise days. there too, as we had just appointed Then years later changed out the slew Oh how time flies but great him Base Manager, his first job in bearings. memories

Originally built as the Sedco Phillips Here’s a picture I took of the new pontoon SS, a Sedco 700 series semi- moving into the graving dock at HiFab submersible drilling rig, and still going strong 40+ years later! I was

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AH001 at HiFab Contd

11 JUNE Southampton TO 132019 United Kingdom the hifab Hull Conversion Engineer template paper and ply won the day. this simple, etc etc. about 50 technical clerks on that job at along with Paul Wilmanski good Finally pressed in the pipemill peak. The Wild West all over again! experience. I remember the cracks in the ah001 cross pontoons cost 24 Again with the crappy old tech refit in the existing columns when we cut off I was involved in a subsea inspection million pounds, more than the quote the UK? For less money we could build Seawork is open for business the old pontoon sections! program for Acergy on her in for a MPSS hull in UK st that time. a new hull with better performance in September 2008. Met some great lads Why don’t we embrace simplicity all areas. MPSS designed and tested Reserve your place today and make the I was with you looking after the on that campaign who I still keep in until we have tried everything else? in Scotland but built and copied most of free marketing support from Forward Starboard pontoon section, touch with today. We swam the whole Shell eventually copied MPSS in 2002 everywhere but the UK. Typical Seawork and Maritime Journal - in print, Happy days. length of her, we must’ve had 150m+ but only after Atlantis. Now ring of Britain. invent and ignore then online, eNews and social media. umbilicals to reach the far side from pontoon is widely used but costs a complain. Worked on her in Nigg during the the deck looking at that picture! billion, see Mad Dog 2 at 1.3 billion! conversion, that would have been Where is she now ? I was on there a 1985 into 1986 by the progress. Phil Booth reminds me of the few times between 2006-2009 and a This was thought to be conventional pontoons built all around the Hull of few days before it was towed away. Good team of lads back then Colin. in 1988 when I promoted the MPSS the Conoco TLP, built at Hifab, Nigg ring pontoon four column semi, aka as from 1982-84. When the Scottish Working on it now FPF1 , just got off Europe’s largest on-water commercial The transition pieces between the the upside down table! Imagine the Highlands were bombarded with 1 hour ago , looks a lot different now old and new pontoons were a big reactions: Shell, are we being conned, Sassenach MPI & UT men, mostly after its refit in Gdansk i believe.. marine and workboat exhibition. challenge. Drawing office failed and BP we built ocean alliance can’t be from the north east of England. There were 550 NDT technicians and Laurence Abney, Mark Sim, do you Over 70 vessels and floating plant. remember how many months we European Commercial Marine Awards (ECMAs) and leaving the assembly shop. Shell spent working on this conversion? Had Innovations Showcase. Eider Jacket is in the background some great times. Show your latest innovations in vessels, equipment and Spent a couple of trips on the AH001 services to over 7,700 maritime professionals. (or the AHOOEY as we called and pronounced it) I served many years as part of onshore materials & shipping support team for both 001 and Scott, along with all the rest of their North sea assets (Triton, Uisge Gorm to name but a few) My current position is in West Africa on Okume Complex, which, up until late 2017 was owned by Hess, so my 25 year association with them came to an end. Many of the 001 guys were on the Okume Complex project, so we gave it the nickname of AH002

The first platform I started my procurement career for AH001 and Scott Platforms good memories of the Amerada Hess teams back then

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90 91 #Seawork2019 BOATINGBUSINESS BOATING BUSINESS & MARINE TRADE NEWS

UT2 105x297 1.1 130319.indd 1 13/03/2019 13:56 FRIDAY PHOTOS

Ekofisk 1989 Towfish One project carried out at Robert Gordon's Institute of Technology in 1977, was to develop a towfish able to carry sidescan sonar and underwater TV. Uniquely, it could travel back up to the surface without winches.

Its operation was due to a pair of cylindrical, electrically-driven rotating arms extending from the side of the hull. This employed the Magnus effect, itself first discovered in 1852. When the arms rotated , they produced a downward force while stabilising the vehicle due to gyroscopic action.

This meant that unlike conventional towfish, the depth was no longer just a function of towing speed and cable length.

Phillips began jacking up the Ekofisk ‘89? I was on a team that inspected Was on the ekofisk jack up field in 1987. The last one to be done Ekofisk (the whole field) in 1979, and Serious Engineering. was the concrete tank the centre. I’m pretty sure there was a concrete barrier/structure around the “tank I believe all is left is the concrete The Central Ekofisk platform was platform”. I believe they had letter support structure. encircled by two semicircular barriers designations, but we called ‘em Tank, to make a massive wall 140m in Riser, Hotel, Production, etc. A great feat of engineering. Phillips diameter and 106m high The were at the forefront of such units started life in Rotterdam but Having started in the mid-70’s, and projects, including the Maureen at 12m high, the base trays were working around the world, I was refloat in the UKCS. taken to Alfjord, new Haugesund. lucky enough to have witnessed and/ The Engineering construction and or taken part in a variety of pivotal I was involved with the first 12 installation was carried out by 4 subsea projects; interesting times. meters Slipform of the structure in companies, Henriksen and Veidekke 1988 at Rotterdam europort. Great from Norway and HBW and Volker The orginal concrete tank structure team. Stevin from the Netherlands. It was built in the early 1970's near achieved slipform speeds of up to 3m Stavanger. a day.

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Norskald Friday Photos: Consub A pioneer of Norweigan drilling, the Norskald, built in 1974, carried out drilling on Statfjord. It later changed its name to the Glomar Semi II and the Glomar Biscay II. It had a gross In March 1975, the Consub underwater exploration vehicle entered service with the Institute of Geological Studies. tonnage of 8272t. It was built at Framnæs shipyard. This unmanned remotely controlled seabed exploration vehicle was designed and built by the British Aircraft Corporation.

From the mother ship, the operator could monitor two television cameras illuminated by flood lamps. Its original purpose was to improve times for seabed sampling. howard hughes glomar It could operate at 610m and had a speed of 2.5 kts. It consisted of a tubular aluminium structure with two cylindrical explorerhttps:// fibreglass cylinders providing the buoyancy. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Glomar_Explorer GSF Explorer, formerly USNS Hughes Glomar Explorer, was a deep- sea drillship platform initially built for the United States Central Intelligence Agency Special Activities Division secret operation Project Azorian to recover the sunken Soviet submarine K-129, lost in March 1968. Wikipedia

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Diverless SAS 1986 Land and Marine Plough Mobil's Subsea Atmospheric System was a joint venture of Mobil, Kvaerner and Statoil. It was a hybrid mix Beautiful In 1984, Land and Marine tested its split share post pipelay backfill plough on the Dee estuary. of wet and dry, with critical components kept in the dry for maintenance and wellheads left exposed. The 65t plough had been built for the 26km, 10in BP Ula Cod although could handle 24in pipe It was designed for operation in 800m waters. The circular base was a multi well template for up to 9 wells And fatally flawed I suspect. in 299m water depths. At the centre is the work enclosure. None ever went into use AFAIK, eclipsed by developments in subsea technology, the realization that humans couldn't really do anything much to maintain the wells from within that atmospheric chamber anyway, and a realization, perhaps, that putting humans 800 meters underwater wasn't a particularly good idea to begin with. I also recall Stena Offshore's experiences with their "flying bells" and the electrical fireworks that, ahem, allegedly, ensued from the damp conditions that prevailed inside.

I do recall that BUE and another British company I can't remember the name of, were, for a while, looking at shallower depth habitats and manned not unlike the LR5 rescue submarine, to transfer workers from surface to seabed and / or turn valves using manipulators controlled from within the submarines. A lot of those BUE submarine hulls were in Stena Offshore's Westhill yard for several years until they were finally scrapped. The above used ‘high tech’ components, not recognised by the oilfield operators. There was also the SIS (Seal IntermediateSystem) which was used with varying degrees of success to produce well 9/13-1 in the North Sea in 1977.

Mobil, BP and CFP formed SEAL (Subsea Equipment Associates Limited) as an R&D operation to investigate and bring to development schemes for remote subsea production. Every journey begins with the first step, so I guess they made that first step as Ploughing major pipelines. Happy days of creating major elements of many of the developments today infrastructure. have traits of their initial R&D effort! Yes, used it in 1990 in Cruden Bay on the replacement BP Forties main oil line. Off the LME Balder, with Martin Dane. There was also a WASP dive capability and a trenching tool.

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