Ashtead Technology signs rental agreement with OceanTools
International subsea rental equipment and solutions specialist Ashtead Technology has signed an exclusive rental agreement with Aberdeen based OceanTools, a subsea engineering company specialising in the design and manufacture of underwater technologies. Under the terms of the agreement, Ashtead Technology will be the exclusive rental partner for OceanTools’ DyeTectors™ systems, including the latest D10 DyeTector ®, an advanced subsea leak, dye and cement detector developed with three sets of optical components to detect the three primary dyes used for underwater detection - rhodamine, ultraviolet and fluorescein – using a single compact device.
Brian Hector, OceanTools, Technical Sales Manager, said:
“We are delighted that Ashtead Technology will be promoting our range of OceanTools DyeTector™ systems including the new D10 DyeTector ®. We look forward to working together to supply our innovative products to their extensive global network and dedicated customer base. The new rental agreement is an important strategic opportunity for OceanTools and will significantly support the steep growth of
our business”.
Brett Lestrange, Ashtead Technology’s Regional Director for Europe, added:
“The exclusive agreement with OceanTools further enhances our existing inventory of leak detection equipment for underwater survey and inspection operations. It also demonstrates our ongoing
commitment to the global offshore energy market by offering the latest and most technologically advanced technologies to support our customers’ projects worldwide. We look forward to seeing these systems performing in the field and delivering excellent results for our customers.”
OceanTools’ DyeTector™ systems are used to detect leaks from underwater infrastructure suchas manifolds, wellheads or pipelines if a suitable dye has been added to the infrastructure
fluids. They can also be used during casing cementing operations to detect cement returns if a tracer dye is added to either the seawater spacer or to the cement itself. The powerful ROV mounted D10 DyeTector ® uses the same technology capable of detecting single photons of light as the single channel D7 DyeTector ®, which enables it to detect down to single digit parts per billion of dye dissolved in water. This makes it ideal for detecting the very smallest of leaks or dye dosed cement.
The Nippon Foundation-GEBCO Seabed 2030 Project signs collaboration agreement with the UK Hydrographic Office
Peter Sparkes, Chief Executive at UKHO (left) and Jamie McMichael-Phillips, Seabed 2030 Project Director
The Nippon Foundation-GEBCO Seabed 2030 Project has today signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO), which will see the parties work together to advance the industry’s understanding of ocean bathymetry, and in support of the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.
Seabed 2030 – a flagship programme of the Ocean Decade – is a collaborative project between The Nippon Foundation and the General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO) with the goal of the complete mapping of the world's oceans by 2030, as well as compiling all bathymetric data into the freely available GEBCO Ocean Map. GEBCO is a joint programme of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), and is the only organisation with a mandate to map the entire ocean floor.
As part of its official partnership with Seabed 2030, the UKHO will provide bathymetric gridded map products to be used by the project within the GEBCO gridded bathymetric data set. UKHO will also share and promote methods and best practices in technological innovation, infrastructure, and solutions for ocean mapping and bathymetric data management.
The MOU signed today follows the technical cooperation agreement that the UKHO, Seabed 2030 and Teledyne CARIS entered into in June 2021 to advance efforts in producing the definitive map of the seafloor by the year 2030.
Commenting on the announcement, Peter Sparkes, Chief Executive at the UK Hydrographic Office, said: “Today marks an important date in our partnership with Seabed 2030 as we initiate the release of identified data contributions to the project. As a world-leading centre for hydrography, we share the Seabed 2030 vision and believe that the full mapping of the world’s oceans is a key milestone in supporting safe, secure and thriving oceans.
“Knowing the depth of the seabed is of vital importance for navigation and coastal management. It is a fundamental parameter for understanding ocean circulation, tides, wave action, sediment transport, environmental change, underwater geo-hazards, cable and pipeline routing, and much more. High quality marine geospatial data will play an instrumental role in Seabed 2030, and we are delighted to actively support and contribute to the project’s mission.
“By working alongside international governments. commercial partners, institutions and initiatives such as Seabed 2030, we will continue to engage with the wider geospatial and technology community to meet the changing needs of all those who depend on the marine environment and ensure the best use of our oceans in safer, more secure and more sustainable ways.”
Seabed 2030 Project Director Jamie McMichael-Phillips added:
“We are delighted to further develop our partnership with the UKHO in support of producing the complete map of the ocean floor.
“With eight years left until the end of the decade and 80 per cent of the sea floor still to be mapped, UKHO’s data contribution and expertise on ocean mapping solutions will no doubt play a significant role in supporting Seabed 2030 realise its essential goal, for the benefit of humanity.”
Bright tide launches UK's most specialist Blue Economy ocean accelerator
To keep 1.5 degrees within reach, we need a healthy ocean and the Blue Economy was rightly a key topic at COP26. As the emerging ocean-innovation market continues to gain recognition, social enterprise and sustainability training outfit Bright Tide, has announced the launch of its first Blue Economy Ocean Accelerator Programme for SME businesses. The most specialist of its kind in the UK, it’s free to apply to and take part in. Applications are open for submissions from 15th March to 15th April 2022 and a final 10 successful businesses will make it through.
Bright Tide is on the hunt for exciting SME businesses within the field of ocean-impact innovators to take part, from food producers using ocean sourced ingredients such as seaweed, through to sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, shipping, offshore wind and beyond.
Founder and director of Bright Tide, Harry Wright, said: “By moving human activities which directly impact and depend on the ocean towards being more sustainable, we can rebuild ocean prosperity and restore biodiversity. Activities such as shipping, fishing and marine renewable energy need to rapidly transition into a sustainable blue economy, however currently this remains exceptionally underfunded. This was the motivator behind us launching our biggest ever accelerator programme for ocean-impact innovators. We’re proud to be supported by founding sponsors at The University of Plymouth and Investec Wealth & Investment, and we can’t wait to see the exciting businesses that apply to take part.”
Adrian Dawson, Director of Research and Innovation at the University of Plymouth, said:
“As the world’s leading marine research university, we are delighted to be a founding partner in this innovative Blue Economy Ocean Accelerator Programme. Our Marine Institute represents the broadest spectrum of academic expertise anywhere in the country, but collaborations with industry are essential if we are to develop effective and lasting solutions to the challenges facing our ocean. This programme offers genuine potential to create new and exciting connections with those SMEs working in the blue economy and contributing to the socioeconomic value of pristine marine environments and biodiversity.”
Stacy Parrinder-Johnson, chief investment officer at Investec Wealth & Investment, said:
“We believe the climate crisis poses a significant threat to the global economy and society. In addition, our business is always looking to work with partners who are change-makers, disruptors and out-of-the-box thinkers. So we are thrilled to have the opportunity to support an important initiative which is looking to find exciting, and potentially transformative, businesses in the field of ocean impact.”
Despite current underfunding of the ocean innovator sector, a 2020 report from the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy (the Ocean Panel), indicated the investment return on the sustainable ocean economy over the next 30 years is 500%, meaning every $1 invested in sustainable ocean solutions returns at least $5 in global benefits.
Ten successful businesses will ultimately secure places on the 8-week programme which will offer between 5-10 hours a week of dedicated support including 1 to 1 tailored expert individual mentorships with industry experts, group mentorship sessions, peer-to-peer learning, commercial pitching opportunities, workshops and access to professional networks. Shortlisted businesses will also take part in exclusive in-person industry meet-ups with the programme’s corporate and blue economy partners, professional networks, peer-to-peer circles and scientific academic partners, and will have the opportunity to pitch at its Meet-The-Buyers event in London. This community and eco-system building element will be a key part of the programme, which is geared towards building game-changing contacts in the industry for all finalists. Beyond this, the programme will offer technical support to help ocean ventures scale up their commercial aims with leading experts, including access to pro bono support, including legal, investment readiness, tax, scientific advice and impact measurement.
Bright Tide’s Blue Economy Ocean Accelerator Programme is sponsored by The University of Plymouth and Investec, as well as enjoying a number of well-known in-kind supporters.
To find out more and apply to Bright Tide’s Ocean Accelerator Programme, visit https://www.bright-tide.co.uk/blueeconomy.
Miros’ RangeFinder supports safe operations at two ports in Vietnam
- Environmental monitoring systems provider to deliver increased safety and efficiency through its RangeFinder technology -
Miros, in association with Reecotech, its partner in Vietnam, has been awarded two separate contracts to support major industrial projects with its RangeFinder solution.
The Miros RangeFinder is a dry, radar-based sensor measuring airgap, tide, water level, draught, and waves, offering millimetre accuracy in all weather conditions. The sensor, which was chosen for its ability to reliably deliver high data quality, will be implemented as part of tailored automated weather and sea monitoring systems.
The first contract with Long Son Petrochemical Complex Project (LSPCL) involves the construction of a large greenfield petrochemical complex on Long Son Island in Vietnam. The $5.4 billion project involves a power plant as well as supporting infrastructure. As it requires intensive ocean data monitoring during the operational phase, Reecotech will supply an automated ocean and meteorological monitoring system integrating the Miros RangeFinder Ex.
The enhanced system, which is suitable for use in hazardous, potentially explosive areas, can supply highly accurate and reliable weather and ocean data whilst complying with national safety requirements. RangeFinder Ex is certified to Atex IECEx standards for areas where an explosive atmosphere consisting of a mixture with air or flammable substances is likely to occur in normal operation.
The second contract will see Miros supporting Hoa Phat Group, a leading steelmaker in Vietnam, which is developing a new integrated steel and iron production complex in the central province of Quang Ngai. The project, valued at more than $2 billion, includes a deep-water port system which will allow heavy ships of up to 200,000 tons to dock as they are transporting raw materials and finished steel products globally.
Miros RangeFinder was chosen to support port safety and efficiency by providing real-time measurements with millimetre accuracy of airgap, water level, tide, and non-directional wave parameters, including the measurement of wave periods longer than 120 seconds.
Emilie Dorgeville, VP Business Development, Ports & Renewables, commented: “We are perfectly placed to support these two major projects in Vietnam. As RangeFinder allows for internal depth-to-water sampling at up to 200Hz and results output at up to 50Hz, the high data rate provided is extremely helpful in avoiding any observation errors.
"Since our RangeFinder Ex is fully certified for use in Zone 1, it is the ultimate sensor to deliver accurate, real-time measurements of water level, tide, and air gap measurements in hazardous areas. The RangeFinder and RangeFinder Ex deliver a reliable extra layer of safety providing wave data with incredible accuracy for improved port efficiency.”
Hai Minh Tran, Managing Director of Reecotech, added: “We are delighted with the quality of real-time data that RangeFinder can provide our clients. The system is cloud-integrated, robust, and reliable, allowing port authorities and investors to accurately assess and take the necessary actions to minimise risks associated with project implementation and port operations.
“We trust RangeFinder as it has proven its ruggedness and reliability through decades of service in extreme weather conditions all over the world.”
ECA Group and iXblue enter exclusive negotiations period to create new European high-tech champion
ECA Group and iXblue have entered an exclusive negotiations period to bring the two French companies together. Carried out by Group Gorgé, this operation will lead to the rise of a European high-tech industrial champion in the fields of maritime, inertial navigation, space and photonics.
Long-standing partners, ECA Group and iXblue benefit from strong technological and commercial synergies. Bringing those two companies together will create a world-class player in the civil and defense sectors. With a unique offer ranging from components to complex systems, the group will provide high performance solutions for critical missions in harsh environments.
"Our two companies share the same culture of innovation, agility and entrepreneurship that are at the heart of each of our DNAs and for which we are both recognized and valued," explains Fabien Napolitano, President & CEO of iXblue. "The new synergies created will not only ensure we keep this DNA but will also strengthen our capacity for innovation by leveraging our complementary expertise. This will allow us to continue to push the technological frontiers and support our customers in their most demanding challenges."
"The joining of our two companies, which will employ over 1,500 people, offers great growth opportunities,” rejoices Dominique Giannoni, CEO of ECA Group. "Once combined, our various technological expertise will greatly help strengthen our leadership positions in our markets, while our complementary geographical footprint will enable us to better serve our customers by being closer to them.”
Business Development & Marketing - OSC
Position: Business Development & Marketing
Employment: Full-time/permanent
Salary: Competitive, depending on qualifications and experience
Location: Dunbar, East Lothian, UK
Deadline: Rolling - open until filled
Ocean Science Consulting Limited (OSC) is a technology-focused marine science company involved principally in providing marine mammal and underwater-sound monitoring, acoustical and statistical modelling, ROV surveys, and image-data analyses, and is currently expanding its services portfolio.
OSC is seeking a highly motivated professional, with strong commercial awareness and previous experience of offshore industries (e.g. windfarms, tidal energy, oil & gas, decommissioning, etc.) to join its growing team. The successful candidate will identify and generate business opportunities in new sectors and/or markets, build and maintain profitable partnerships with stakeholders, develop and execute business strategies, and work in collaboration with technical and scientific staff to contribute to preparation and submission of business proposals and tenders.
Additional details: https://www.osc.co.uk/careers/
Responsibilities:
- Maintain and expand client base to develop strong professional relationships;
- Identify opportunities and engage via email, telephone, and in-person;
- Liaise with Directors & senior managers to plan and execute new business strategies;
- Follow up with clients to ensure opportunities progress and clients are satisfied;
- Manage marketing tasks to effectively and efficiently respond to opportunities; and,
- Coordinate with other staff to prepare proposals, marketing and presentation materials.
The successful candidate will have the following:
Required:
- A degree (minimum 2:1) in a relevant business, economics or environmental discipline;
- Minimum of three years relevant commercial experience;
- Strong business acumen, client-oriented, and focused on results;
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English;
- Ability to develop strong relationships, and work effectively across teams; and,
- Demonstrated sales drive, determination, and dedication.
Please send your CV and cover letter to [email protected]. Please also supply contact details for three clients who we can contact for references. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
A Red Letter Oi 2022 opening day for the SUT and the MTS
- Captain Don Walsh at Oi 2022 to present the SUT/MTS Award made in his name to Victor Vescovo and Patrick Lahey in recognition of their contribution to ocean exploration
- Presentation by Vescovo and Lahey – 2021 winners of the SUT/MTS Captain Don Walsh Award
- SUT-moderated session on Women in Industry
- A chance to find out more about making nomination for the 2022 Captain Don Walsh Ocean Exploration Award on the SUT and MTS stands
SUT Contact:
Cheryl Burgess [email protected]
MTS Contact:
Kristina Norman [email protected]
Since it launched Oceanology International (Oi) in 1969, the Society for Underwater Technology has always played a key part in the exhibition and conference. This year is no exception with OI’s partner, the SUT and its members, playing a particularly active role in the conference on opening day (Tuesday, 15 March) at ExCeL London.
Dr Ralph Rayner, Oceanology Conference Chair, a past President of the SUT and a Fellow of the Learned Society, will introduce the Oi opening conference session ‘Ocean Futures – The New Blue Economy’ (10:00-12:15).
As SUT’s Chief Executive, Cheryl Burgess explains:
“The New Blue Economy is a knowledge-based economy, looking to the sea not just for extraction of material goods, but for data and information to address societal challenges and inspire their solution”’.
“The New Blue Economy session Ralph is introducing, with a truly stellar line-up (see https://tinyurl.com/ycku899z) explores how emerging capabilities for acquiring ocean data and delivering actionable ocean information can enable a growing Blue Economy that balances delivering the vast economic potential of the ocean with protecting ocean health and ensuring social equity.
“As the session comes to a close, it will feature a very special moment when the Captain Don Walsh Award for Ocean Exploration, will be presented by Captain Don Walsh, Moya Crawford, President of the SUT and Zdenka Willis, President MTS to Victor Vescovo and Patrick Lahey.
“The Award is made annually by SUT and MTS and it is a great honour to have Don Walsh with us at Oi this year during the presentations.
Full information on the nomination process for the 2022 Captain Don Walsh Ocean Exploration Award, with its deadline of 31 May 2022, will be on the SUT stand (R550) at Oi; along with information on other awards such as the Gwyn Griffiths Underwater Robotics Award with its submission deadline of 31 March.
Presentation by the winners of the 2021 Don Walsh Award + Women in Industry
The next presentation in the Ocean Futures Theatre at Oi 2022 will be ‘Into the Abyss: Exploring the Deepest Realms of the World’s Oceans’ when delegates will be invited to join undersea explorer Victor Vescovo and submarine engineer Patrick Lahey, winners of the captain Don Walsh Award for Ocean Exploration, as they recount their experiences of making possible dives to the deepest points in each of the world’s oceans.
This will be followed by ’Women in Industry’ chaired by SUT’s Chair, Sue John with a panel of women engineers, scientists, and technologists from the subsea, underwater, and wider marine sector each sharing insights from their career progression, successes, and challenges. A moderated panel discussion will follow the presentations, including audience Q&A where attendees are encouraged to engage with panellists and their peers.
Further information
Further information on SUT its global branches; corporate, individual and student membership; special interest groups; and activities is at www.sut.org and on Oceanology International at www.oceanologyinternational.com/
Csignum appoints Mark Rhodes Chief Technical Officer
Innovator in Radio Communications Systems, Embedded Software, Sensors and IoT
CSignum Ltd., the global innovator in wireless underwater communications, asset digitization, and for ocean and freshwater industries, today announced Mark Rhodes as Chief Technical Officer. Mark joins the startup at a critical point in its development as it finalizes design, testing and go-to-market for the HydroFi modem, the first reliable point-to-point wireless underwater communications system that enables the transmission of data through the water-air boundary. CSignum’s patented communication, monitoring and navigational platform and solution is designed to help the underwater observing, water quality, offshore wind, oil and gas, and aquaculture industries scale to deliver data wherever it needs to be in adverse conditions. Mark is based out of the company’s headquarters in Scotland and reports directly to CSignum CEO, Chris Brooks.
A former founding employee and VP Technology for WFS Technologies (whose IP was acquired by CSignum), Mark was the author of over 40 revolutionary patents associated with underwater radio technology and its antenna design. He joins CSignum from SKF Ltd. Conditioning Monitoring, the world’s leading bearing manufacturer. As SKF’s wireless sensor Technical Lead, he was responsible for designing sensor systems that gathered vibration conditioning monitoring data and implemented embedded software for front-end processing before data is transferred to the cloud for real-time bearing condition diagnosis.
“We are delighted to welcome Mark as the engineering architect of CSignum’s breakthrough technologies,” said Chris Brooks, CEO of CSignum. “His broad technical acumen -- from electronics hardware and mechanical engineering, to embedded firmware, software supporting data communications, IoS app development and web interfaces, to signal analysis condition monitoring – provides us with the skill set to optimize our technology and bring it to market successfully.”
Mark has a long history of leading technology advancements on land as well as underwater. Additional projects at SKF included a new remote condition monitoring product for the rail industry. This IoT application, used by railroad operators worldwide, captures vibration data from robust, long-term battery-powered sensors on a railway wheel and relays that data by cellular data link to a cloud analysis system based on Amazon Web Services. In addition, Mark has worked with BAE Systems on microwave receivers and transmitters, Agilent Technologies as Senior R&D Engineer to design Ethernet and Fibre Optic over SONET/SDH systems, as well as stints at Motorola, and GEC-Marconi. He holds a Bachelors Science with honors in Physics from the University of Bath.
“I’m excited to be back where I started with the innovation of wireless signaling across the water-air boundary and to bring it to market as the HydroFi Modem,” said Mark. “This will be just the start of the innovations possible with the HydroCore platform, which provides a building block approach to developing standardized CSignum solutions rapidly to meet the digitization needs of our customers.”
About CSignum, Ltd.
CSignum is the only wireless communications provider that enables the first automatic and reliable transmission of data through and across the water-air boundary, water column, seabed and underwater structures using HydroFi technology. Our patented communication, monitoring and navigational platform and solutions help aquaculture, freshwater, ocean observing, offshore wind, and oil and gas industries automate and reliably transmit data as they digitally transform and scale remote communications systems for greater sustainability, increased performance, and preparedness for unforeseen events.
CSignum was founded in 2020 to engineer a smarter planet by optimizing ocean and freshwater health for the sustainable use by all. The company is headquartered in Bathgate, Scotland.
The IMarEST welcomes UNESCO’s ocean education plan
The Institute of Marine Science, Engineering and Technology (IMarEST) has welcomed UNESCO’s goal of including ocean education in the school curricula of its 193 Member States by 2025. The plan includes a new toolkit for policy makers and curriculum developers which has been co-authored by IMarEST’s strategic partner Encounter Edu.
Daniel Stoker, IMarEST, Head of Technical, Policy & Content says: “The oceans are one of our most precious environments. It is vital that societies engage and educate young people to recognise this, and inspire them to help build a sustainable ocean future.”
Later this year, the Institute plans to extend its global educational outreach with the launch of a new special interest group focusing on inspiring young people, supporting cadets and students, and developing early career professionals.
Daniel explains: “Our new group will bring together experts and those concerned with, and working at, the forefront of marine STEM engagement to help support teachers, educators and students across the globe. It is an extension of our ongoing activities at the local level by our global branch network, along with the work of our partners, including Encounter Edu, whose virtual reality experiences and live expedition broadcasts introduce the oceans to millions of young people in an exciting way and help us bring ocean based careers to life.”
As part of its commitment to inspire the next generation and secure the future marine workforce, the Institute runs a number of STEM outreach initiatives including careers advice, volunteering and internship opportunities, student competitions, free student membership, as well as a wide range of educational resources through its Sea Your Future section of its website.
Daniel concludes: “Providing opportunities to develop the knowledge of, and inspire, those who might find solutions to our global challenges and provide a sustainable future for our oceans, our industry and for humanity, is at the heart of our work.”
Ocean Technology companies Nortek AS, Strategic Robotic Systems, and Blueprint Lab merge to form General Oceans AS
The three ocean technology companies Nortek AS (Norway), Strategic Robotic Systems (USA), and Blueprint Lab (Australia) have merged to form a common holding company, General Oceans AS. Together, the three companies have almost 200 employees and operate across all major segments of the ocean technology market. Revenues in 2022 are expected to reach $63 million with focus on vehicles, actuators, and sensors.
Each company will retain their brand and maintain their own production, engineering, and sales. General Oceans will provide management services from a base in London, facilitating collaboration between the companies while also being responsible for funding new initiatives and providing common marketing, human resource, and finance services. The group will be led by Nortek founder and General Oceans President, Atle Lohrmann, along with executive management from each merging company. Long-term, the group aims to achieve synergies in the areas of sales, production, and in the joint development of intelligent, semi-autonomous vehicles and sensor systems.
The merger is the result of an 18-month long process seeking the best way to develop an effective partnership within the ocean technology space. Special emphasis was placed on the idea of retaining quality staff, recruiting young engineering talent to ocean technology, and allowing innovative energy to flourish while also preserving the financial stability that comes with being part of a larger entity.
Contact information:
For business and investor inquiries, please contact [email protected].
For media inquiries, please contact [email protected].