Meet the exhibitor: New AI solution and 2023 product roadmap at Ocean Business 2023
GeoAcoustics Ltd is gearing up to reveal several new products in the pipeline at Ocean Business 2023 in Southampton, 18 -20 April.
While the implementation of GeoAcoustics’ new Artificial Intelligence-powered data processing solution for GeoSwath 4 has been in the spotlight recently, the hydroacoustic technology specialist from Great Yarmouth in the UK has also been working on technology developments across the entire GeoAcoustics portfolio.
Launched in 2015, the Pulsar towed Side Scan Sonar has remained unchanged ever since, though its original purpose as an agile solution for fast response incidents within the search and rescue context has expanded into a wide range of underwater inspection and investigation scenarios. GeoAcoustics’ R&D team has been hard at work to deliver a significant boost to its capabilities, which will arrive later this year.
The GeoPulse range of Sub-Bottom Profilers will also be boosted with new generation capabilities designed to optimise their role as dependable solutions for acquiring precision data about the physical properties of the seafloor and below. GeoAcoustics is confident that its new developments in 2023 will ensure that the GeoPulse name continues to be associated with innovation and reliability when the upgraded models hit the market.
“Ocean Business 2023 will be an important milestone in our technology and product development roadmap,” said Richard Dowdeswell, General Manager, GeoAcoustics Ltd. “We’re looking forward to taking the wraps off several new products that will officially launch this year and showing the industry exactly what our R&D team has been up to since our return to being an independent company in 2020.”
GeoAcoustics will also host a session as part of the Training and Demo program at Ocean Business covering the ‘Processing of Bathymetric Data Using AI’, as well as looking at the capabilities of its new and forthcoming Side Scan and Sub Bottom Profiler products.
It takes place in the Discovery Classroom between 1:00 and 2:00 pm on 18th April and will include additional information on the new product launches. Space is limited but you can sign up to join the session on our stand (H4) on Tuesday morning, or contact GeoAcoustics in advance on [email protected] to reserve your seat.
A Strategy of Collaboration
RTG is an OEM providing consultancy, build-to-print, manufacturing services, prototyping, and testing. RTG adds value through know-how, and manufacturing agility, to assure the customer of a continued competitive advantage.
RTG has worked hard to build a company culture and values conducive to the close relationship it seeks with its strategic partners, those values being Team Spirit, Innovation, Quality without Compromise, Respect, professionalism, and Loyalty.
Continuous improvement and reinvestment have allowed RTG to build its capabilities and supply clients across the globe. RTG’s principal business has developed supporting deck machinery suppliers, and equipment operators. Forging closer relationships with its customers, and through a strategy of collaboration, the aim has been to create benefits greater than the sum of business parts. Our mission; is focused on sustainability and the customer's competitive advantage. We seek close strategic partnerships without limit. We are radically focused on our customers’ feedback to continuously improve and develop the Deck Machinery needed, the customers’ success is our success.
We aim to provide our strategic partner with a one-stop shop for the embodiment of build to print projects including full system integration and test, or RTG can also design and build. We work closely with our clients to develop relationships, sharing information and know-how to achieve the best solutions and project outcomes. We have helped clients overcome issues such as: limited capacity, and inability to meet the ever-shorter project deadlines requested. We aim to operate as a department within our partners business, and seamless take on the responsibility to supply turn-key equipment packages using our Engineering, Project management and modern fully equipped complete in-house fabrication machining, integration, and test facilities. We build partnerships on trust and integrity with our goal being deep long term strategic collaboration. We go to great lengths to protect confidentiality and realize it is the foundation of our credibility.
ollowing a strategic partnership philosophy, RTG have been able to match its core business skills to a market that needs these skills most.
Robosys - Introduction to our AI powered Autonomous Marine Systems software
Robosys is a leading provider of AI Maritime Autonomy and Smart Shipping software with two decades of experience in the field.
They are a leading developer of autonomous marine systems including Advanced Autonomous Navigation (with collision avoidance, dynamic route optimisation and advanced perception systems), Remote and Autonomous Platform Control (including propulsion, transmission, steering, outside machinery and alarm management systems) and also Remote and Autonomous Payload Control, for government and commercial vessels and workboats.
Our Voyager AI software can transform a new or existing vessel into a fully autonomous Unmanned Surface Vessel, capable of independent navigation, collision avoidance and dynamic route optimisation. We use cutting edge Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) algorithms to provide scalable levels of autonomy, up to and including full level 4 Autonomy.
In its simplest form, Voyager AI can also provide Collision Avoidance Decision Aid (CADA) support which is COLREGS compliant, for a vessel’s master to enhance the safety for lean crewed ships. At the next stage, as an “Intelligent” AutoPilot it can autonomously control a lean crewed ship. Or for USVs, Voyager enables both remote piloting and fully autonomous navigation and collision avoidance utilising the latest AI enabled vessel identification and perception systems.
Ocean Radar Systems are suited for surveillance applications of off-shore Infrastructure
The topic of “surveillance of civil off-shore infrastructure” is increasingly becoming a significant issue in Europe. For this reason, it is important to know that the operational civil ocean radar systems can be upgraded to monitor ship activities far behind the horizon.
Several “WERA” ocean radar systems are located on the European coastline. In particular, the systems at the German Bight, the Dutch North Sea coast, the French and Italian coast are well suited for this technical application.
The WERA ocean radar is classified as a “dual-use” system because these systems are suited for over-the-horizon ship detection and tracking. It can be used for the surveillance of very large areas of the coastal ocean to identify suspicious ship manoeuvres.
About 10 years ago, HELZEL developed a specific product for this surveillance application: the HELZEL OTHR. This OTHR system provides ship tracking for ranges of up to 200 nautical miles and is already in use in Asia and Africa. The main application is the surveillance of the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) to detect illegal fishing activities or other suspicious activities, e.g. smuggling or piracy and of course threats to off-shore infrastructure.
To extend an existing ocean radar WERA for this ship tracking application, the systems may need to be refurbished and extended to 16 receive channels. Figure 1 shows the existing WERA system in France near Brest.
The data of the WERA system on Wangerooge, Germany are already used to test this feature. Figure 2 shows ship tracks generated by this WERA system. The range is 70 km in this case.
This technology should be of interest to all countries with infrastructure on their coast. For new installations, the OTHR systems are best suited for these surveillance applications. It is worth mentioning, that such a “military” OTHR system can be used for civil applications as well. These dual use applications include ocean current monitoring for environmental protection and search and rescue.
Subsea's first manufacturer agnostic digital catalog and design application
Anekonnect bring the first digital catalog for connectors, cables and related accessories allowing users to design their own cables, without any prior experience with CAD. The application brings 8000+ subsea components at users fingertips. Drag N' Drop application takes the component catalog a step further with schema and wiring diagrams, Bill of Material generated from the drawing and personalized drawing templates. The first of its kind in the industry, Anekonnect brings digitization of subsea components to a whole new level. https://app2.anekonnect.io with https://support.anekonnect.io
New Mini Vibrocorer for vessels of opportunity & off-grid sampling
Ocean Scientific International Limited (OSIL) have developed a new self-contained sediment coring system for sampling dense or compacted sediments in off-grid areas or from vessels of opportunity with restricted handling capabilities.
The 2m vibrocorer is a fully self-contained system, with sufficient battery capacity to power the system for 4 hours of continuous use, and has been designed for ease of deployment from small vessels with a winch or davit system, as the overall deployment/recovery height is only 2.75m. The corer can also be operated from 24VDC 12A vessel supply if available.
The vibrocorer features a rotational barrel joint, anti-return valves and and variable speed control of the 5.72kN vibration force for easy recovery of samples.
Fugro opens cutting-edge remote operations centre in St. John’s, Canada
Fugro celebrated the launch of its new remote operations centre (ROC) in St. John’s, Canada. The high-tech communications hub will allow Fugro experts to control offshore survey operations remotely for safer, more efficient and more sustainable projects. The milestone was marked by an open house event, giving clients and government officials the opportunity to tour the state-of-the-art facility and experience first-hand the innovative technologies on offer.
The St. John’s ROC will serve offshore energy and other marine-based clients whose work in Canada often involves harsh operating conditions and/or long-distance mobilisations. By limiting the number of crew required to work offshore, remote survey technologies will help clients minimise project risk while significantly reducing their carbon emissions. Clients will also benefit from improved project timelines as data processing takes place in near-real time, allowing faster access to critical project information.
Fugro built the ROC with support from the federally funded Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Oil and Gas Industry Recovery Assistance Fund. The fund was created to maximise employment among Newfoundland and Labrador residents and support the recovery of the local offshore oil and gas industry.
“Newfoundland and Labrador workers are leading the world in lowering emissions and building up renewables,” said the Honourable Seamus O’Regan Jr., Canada’s Minister of Labour. “Fugro gets it. Great to have them on board.”
“Digitisation has become synonymous with innovation in the offshore sector,” said the Honourable Andrew Parsons, Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology. “For companies such as Fugro, this technology allows it to take advantage of new and emerging technologies, while generating environmental benefits as we navigate the energy transition. That was the intent of the fund, and it is great to see this international firm open a state-of-the-art facility in St. John’s as a result.”
“Fugro’s St. John’s office has been a regional employer for nearly three decades. In that time we’ve introduced some remarkable - even award-winning -innovations, but none so transformative as the digitally based solutions we can now provide from the Canada ROC,” said Pat Byrne, Marine Asset Integrity Manager for Fugro in Canada. “The ability to perform remote operations, provide processing and data management services, all from our control facility in St. John’s, represents a pivotal moment for this region. It’s exciting to consider the benefits this shift will bring, not only to our clients but also to our workforce.”
EIVA announces CEO leadership transition
Jeppe Nielsen, Chief Executive Officer of Danish maritime survey software and equipment manufacturer, EIVA, is stepping down as CEO on medical grounds with immediate effect.
Jeppe will remain with parent company Covelya Group in a new part-time strategic advisor role and will also join the board of EIVA. Flemming Hjorth, EIVA’s Vice President of Business Development, has taken on the role of Acting CEO while the board seeks a permanent successor through a transition process which will consider both internal and external candidates.
Jeppe has been at the helm of EIVA since 2011 during which time he oversaw the transformation of the business from a small core team of less than 30 people, to becoming the leader of maritime survey software alongside a flourishing equipment manufacturing team supporting offshore activities in renewable energy, defence and ocean science. He led the company through a successful sale in 2019, with EIVA now established as an integral part of offshore and marine engineering specialist, Covelya Group.
Jeppe says, “Having navigated through market downturns, the high of our successful sale process in 2019, and most recently the unprecedented lockdown experiences of COVID and the impact of the Ukraine war, it is with sadness that I am stepping down as CEO. It will be the great colleagues I will miss most; EIVA is a different company to the one I joined but through all the growth, the business has kept its great culture – we know it is about work, but it is also important to enjoy it while we are there.”
Stephen Fasham, EIVA’s chairman and Covelya Group’s CEO, says, “I’ve been privileged to work with Jeppe over the last four years, have learned a lot from him, and the legacy he leaves at EIVA will be long remembered as we continue to grow from the strong base created by Jeppe and his team. I am truly delighted that we’ve been able to retain Jeppe on a part-time basis and look forward to the part he will play in further developing the whole group, and to his great contribution to EIVA from his position on the board. I’d also like to thank Flemming and the whole EIVA management team for stepping up during a difficult time for the company and for providing strong leadership during this transition.
EIVA continues to move forward, with planned expansion into our Singapore location this year, as well as new product releases. Under Jeppe’s leadership, EIVA has become a critical part of Covelya Group, developing new partnerships with other Covelya companies from which we are already seeing results, and we have expectations for more in the coming years. Supported by Covelya, we will see EIVA further strengthen its market leader position, and I look forward to welcoming Jeppe back many times in the future to share with him the new chapters in EIVA’s story.”
ASL conducts field trials of prototype autonomous long endurance split-beam sonar
ASL Environmental Sciences is pleased to announce the successful field trials of a new prototype split-beam sonar. The trials were conducted in the Saanich Inlet near the Institute of Ocean Sciences (IOS), Sidney, BC. This milestone marks the first such deployment of the prototype instrument, as part of a collaboration between researchers at Memorial University, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), and ASL. The field testing was done from a small IOS launch with Dr. Stéphane Gauthier, Fisheries and Oceans research scientist, Dr. Len Zedel, Professor and Department Head of Physics and Physical Oceanography at Memorial University, and graduate student Axel Belgarde, also of Memorial University. ASL staff members Dr. Steve Pearce and Graeme Thompson participated in the study.
Split-beam echosounders use multiple receive channels to determine target location within the acoustical beam. Unlike ordinary single-beam echosounders, split-beam echosounders may determine not only the range but also the direction of arrival of incoming signals. This facilitates accurate measurements of target strength. When detecting fish over multiple pings, a split beam sonar may track the fish and estimate its swimming speed and direction.
ASL has extensive experience developing calibrated scientific hydroacoustic profilers. ASL instruments are known for their unmatched ability to collect long time series data, with typical deployments lasting 12 months. This new split-beam echosounder prototype is designed to run autonomously for months at a time, allowing researchers to collect long time series data at the study site. Many researchers find such tools useful when studying fish behavior throughout changing seasons, or when deploying in remote environments.
The field trial for this new design was carried out February 1, 2023 (Figure 1) and the results are promising. As part of the system testing, two small spheres were lowered and raised through the water column to a maximum depth of 220 m. The sample echogram of Figure 2 shows these spheres over one of the trial casts.
Job Advert: EGS International Ltd hiring Tender Coordinator
Position: Tender Coordinator
Position reports to: Commercial Manager
The Role:
EGS international are growing our commercial team to meet increasing demand for our services. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to our success in providing survey services to offshore industries.
Your core role is to respond to survey enquiries, evaluate suitability and organise submission of high quality technical and commercial proposals within set deadlines.
This role will also offer the opportunity to contribute to business development and marketing activities and would suit those who enjoy building relationships with clients.
A knowledge of the survey industry would be desirable and commercial experience would be beneficial, however full training will be provided.
Why should you apply?
• Competitive salary package.
• Company pension scheme.
• Ongoing training and development opportunities.
• Flexible working conditions.
Major Responsibilities:
• Review tender documents, identify submission requirements, and liaise with technical advisors & sub-contractors to prepare good quality proposals and quotations within client deadlines.
• Take the lead with RFI/PQQ responses, identify support that’s required to complete the requests and follow up after submission.
• Proof-read tender documents before submission.
• Create and maintain tender support documentation with fresh and relevant content.
• Secure feedback from successful and unsuccessful tenders, for analysis, business planning and continual improvement.
• Keep Commercial Dept. KPI’s updated on a regular basis. Review and relay client comments to senior management.
• Update client portals and online tender websites with current information, make sure notifications/alerts are functional.
• Engage with clients to make sure EGS is considered for relevant ITT’s.
• Help promote EGS, identify and approach potential new clients.
• Review trade magazines, websites etc. to assess and follow up potential opportunities.
• Identify market trends, provide feedback on new technologies, resources and survey methodologies that can make EGS more competitive.
To express an interest please email your Cover Letter and CV to [email protected]