Industry Leaders Q&A - Terry Sloane
Terry is managing director of Planet Ocean & ecoSUB Robotics. Planet Ocean represents manufacturers of oceanographic and meteorological instruments from around the world, as well as designing and manufacturing bespoke instruments and systems for ocean research. In 2016, Terry established ecoSUB Robotics Ltd to develop Autonomous Underwater Vehicles, designed and developed in collaboration with the MARS group at the NOC Southampton.
He is a fellow of both IMarEST and the Royal Meteorological Society and is Chairman of the Marine Science & Technology Group of the Society of Maritime Industries.
How has Planet Ocean adapted to the challenges of these uncertain times?
We were well prepared before the events of early 2020. Our IT, comms, CRM, accounting & management systems were already cloud based allowed us to relocate everyone away from our two offices before lockdown was enforced upon us and by alternating staffing of our warehouse, workshop and main office we were able to maintain incoming and outgoing shipments, service & support without interruption. Thank goodness for Zoom, Teams, skype and the like and our own VPN and servers. Without those tools it would have been a lot harder. Field testing of our ecoSUB vehicles was challenging, but we have a great team who got very creative, using local resources including paddling pools in the garden, to keep pushing forward.
Please tell us more about how you are supporting your teams and/or local communities?
It’s my job to do my best to ensure that our team have all the resources required to achieve their goals, simple as that. In the wider community we try to focus on using our expertise and skills rather than in generic community based activities. For example, I work with Maggie Philbin (remember Tomorrows World?) at Teen Tech www.teentech.com as a STEM ambassador, mentoring young scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs and SATRO www.satro.org.uk which has similar aims. Others in our team guest lecture to undergraduates at Southampton & Portsmouth University on Robotics and careers in environmental science. These are things we have passion for and where our experience can be well deployed.
How do you think the industry will change? Are there potential opportunities?
There are enormous opportunities for our industry ahead, not just as a result of the pandemic. We are seeing a lot of pent up demand from the last 15 months that is being released now. Clearly this is a significant period of change across the board, faster and more widespread than I have seen in my 45+ years in the business. The way in which marine science is undertaken is changing, with a move to autonomous data collection platforms and with it the ability to sample with far greater temporal and spatial resolution is foremost; and this requires the ability to process large data sets efficiently, and with more meaning and distribute the learnings from that data more widely and collaboratively. Climate change is at last very much in the spotlight and there are real opportunities for our industry to provide new technology to contribute to understanding and mitigating the effects and possibly, reversing them. The energy sector, with the change from carbon to renewables and decommissioning along with, CC&S offer enormous opportunities. Marine Science underpins all of Maritime, including shipping, maritime defence, aquaculture, leisure, resources, sustainability, the list goes on.
What do you think are the main challenges ahead?
Isolationism – The problems we face and therefore the opportunities are global, they know no geopolitical boundaries, we need to collaborate not just in the developed World, but the whole World. We need to ensure that the tools and methods used to acquire the data are consistent around the World and that the entire system is understood at the same scale and accuracy. Funding – Whilst it is true that the Ocean Business is now populated by some quite large multi-national enterprises there are still very many small to medium sized players doing great work and innovating without adequate funding from Government. This slows down the process and keeps the risks for these players high. Some governments are far more supportive to our industry than others.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of your job?
Although I have been building and running Companies for over 30 years, I am an engineer at heart and being in the room with our R&D team gives me the biggest buzz. The ecoSUB project has meant working with some truly amazing, engineers and administrators for whom nothing is ever off the table. They continue to surprise me with their solutions to problems whilst being able to see the commercial implications. Similarly, some of the new technology emerging from our global partners is equally as stunning. Seeing these efforts make a real difference in the World is very satisfying.
Who or what inspires you to be even better?
The team inspire me, their passion and skill, they always go the extra mile, good enough will never do for them. Do better? Just keeping up with them is a challenge for me.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that most people don’t know...
I played County Rugby as a schoolboy but coached non-league youth football for several years as an adult.
What advice would you give to someone starting out in the industry?
This is an industry that has opportunities that cover a huge range skill sets. If you have a passion for the ocean and the path that you had planned does not pan out, there is always another path to tread that will keep you connected with the ocean and all that it has to offer.
How important is Ocean Business to the ocean technology sector? Why would you recommend a visit?
Ocean Business is unique in our World. It has grown in a relatively short time to be one of the must attend events in the industry. OB is truly hands on, where manufactures can demonstrate their technology on the water or in the NOC facilities, undertake classroom workshops and training sessions and where there are no gigantic stands. The whole community is looking forward to this years event especially, for most it will be the first face to face event in nearly two years.
Hydrographic Surveyor
Fugro recruiting for a Hydrographic Surveyor to join our geophysical survey department based in Portchester.
As a Hydrographic Surveyor, you’ll be responsible for processing hydrographic data, working with teams in the field and Project Surveyors to deliver data to clients.
It’s an excellent opportunity gaining exposure to projects, working in a range of markets (including renewables, UXO, pipeline inspection) and processing different hydrographic data types. The role combines time at the office and offshore on Fugro vessels.
This job is for you if:
- You want to work in an innovative environment with the latest equipment and software;
- You want to be part of some of the largest offshore engineering projects in the world
- You want to work in a dynamic and ambitious team with opportunities to develop.
Typical Week:
- Processing, interpreting and reporting of hydrographic data
- Delivering high quality data at all phases throughout the project life cycle
- Leading and assisting vessel mobilisations and demobilisations where required;
- Undertaking offshore survey operations, including offshore processing, assisting with back-deck operations, undertaking data coverage checks and creating infill lineplans.
Essential
- A qualification in hydrography, ocean science or closely related subject;
- Analytical mindset, shown by experience in data management, data processing and/or programming;
- Good verbal/written English language skills;
- Working under pressure to tight deadlines;
- High attention to detail, quality and safety.
Desirable
- Experience of industry-standard hydrographic processing software, such as Teledyne CARIS, Fugro Starfix or Applanix POSPac;
- Offshore/practical experience in oil/gas, ocean science, renewables and/or survey industries;
- Able to work offshore for periods of up to 4 weeks.
Fugro are the world’s leading, independent provider of geo-intelligence and asset integrity solutions for large constructions, infrastructure and natural resources. We employ approximately 9,500 employees in 61 countries.
Benefits include; competitive salary accompanied by an attractive package; including - contributory pension, life assurance, 24 days annual leave and more.
For more info and to apply click here
Project Hydrographic Surveyor
Fugro is recruiting for a Project Surveyor to join our world leading geophysical department based in Portchester.
You’ll be responsible for data quality; working closely with teams in the field to deliver the project objectives to the contracted schedule.
The Project Surveyor leads, coaches and mentors members of the team; promoting quality and ensuring that Fugro deliver industry-leading data to clients.
Whilst this is an office-based role in Portchester, the Project Surveyor will get the opportunity to experience the offshore environment, working at the forefront of marine geophysical science, from time to time.
This job is for you if you:
- Have strong technical understanding of hydrographic data sets;
- Have experience of hydrographic data processing and report writing;
- Have excellent attention to detail;
- Are confident managing others and leading a team
- Are highly numerate and literate
Daily you’ll be working closely with the project team; including the client, vessel team and surveyors.
A typical day:
- Three days a week spent data processing, undertaking data QC and providing feedback to colleagues;
- Half day managing the hydrographic processing element of a project; tracking progress, planning tasks, assigning resources and managing the project delivery schedule;
- Half day leading or attending meetings with the client, Project Manager and project team as the project technical lead;
- Half day writing or completing QC on reports;
- Half day assisting the vessel with calibrations, technical issues or planning.
Experience:
Essential
- Qualification in hydrography, ocean science or closely related subject;
- Industry experience;
- Strong knowledge and experience of hydrographic survey techniques
- Experience of industry-standard hydrographic processing software
Desirable
- Experience in line management;
- Experience in project management;
- Able to work offshore for periods of up to 4 weeks;
Benefits for this role include; competitive salary with attractive package of - contributory pension scheme, life assurance, 24 days annual leave and private medical.
For more info or to apply click here
Sales and Marketing Manager – Geophysical Instrumentation
VistaClara, a leading designer, manufacturer, and research organization specializing in advanced nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) geophysical instruments is seeking a well-qualified individual for a newly created sales and marketing manager role. The Seattle, WA-based position will be responsible for planning and implementing sales, marketing and communication programs, both short and long range, targeted toward existing and new markets, either personally or through subordinates and colleagues. Duties and responsibilities include achieving annual revenue goals, supporting strategic planning, managing direct and indirect sales channels, managing marketing communications, and executing major initiatives as required.
Requires a minimum of 10 years combined commercial and scientific experience in one or more of these areas:
field data collection, groundwater science, geophysical exploration, geotechnical consulting, product management, sales, or technical support. A bachelors’ degree or higher in a scientific or engineering field is required. An applicable graduate degree is a plus. Residing in the Seattle Metropolitan area is required.
This key role is results-oriented and candidates must perform as both a strategic thinker and tactical planner. The Manager will plan customer seminars, workshops, trade events while evaluating and managing global sales channels. The Manager will review and analyze sales performance against programs, quotes and plans to determine effectiveness.
Vista Clara provides competitive compensation and benefits including annual company contributions.
to employee SEP-IRA accounts, paid time off, and health insurance. Delawarde inc is coordinating the search so please send your resume to Chris Ward at [email protected]. Attachment of a cover letter is preferred.
Dr. Janelle Hrycik Joins Teledyne RD Instruments Inside Sales Team
Teledyne Marine is pleased to announce that Dr. Janelle Hrycik has joined their inside sales team to support the sale and service of Teledyne RD Instruments full line of acoustic Doppler products. Dr. Hrycik previously served as an instructor of marine biology at Unity College, located in Maine, and brings with her a Ph.D. in Biological Oceanography from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Her past research is related to the sustainable management of commercially valuable and endangered species, the mitigation of the threat of invasive species, the prediction of species response to climate change, and the evaluation of contaminants, such as microplastics, oil, and wastewater.
Her strong scientific background will be especially helpful to customers working in the fields of marine biology, fisheries, and coastal management.
Dr Hrycik shares: “I look forward to the opportunity to combine my background knowledge with dedicated customer service to provide Teledyne Marine customers with complete solutions. I am excited to join such a collaborative, growth-oriented team!”
ABOUT TELEDYNE MARINE
Teledyne Marine is a group of leading-edge subsea technology companies that are part of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated. Through acquisitions and collaboration, Teledyne Marine has evolved into an industry powerhouse, bringing Imaging, Instruments, Interconnect, Seismic, and Vehicle technology together to provide total solutions to our customers. teledynemarine.com
Popoto Modem announces V2.7 of affordable, easy-to-use, multi-application underwater acoustic modem
Popoto Modem announces Version 2.7 of its acoustic modem, the industry standard for low cost, small scale, JANUS compliant underwater communications and control operations. The upgraded version offers expanded features and improved ease of deployment in both OEM and fully enclosed configurations.
“We 
remain committed to providing affordable and flexible solutions to ocean engineers, scientists, equipment designers and anyone interested advancing the underwater internet of things,” says John DellaMorte, CTO of Popoto Modem. With that in mind, the company improved the user interface, adding online help and a simplified command set —all in a framework that allows users to easily tailor the modem to their applications.
New Features in 2.7
“Version 2.7 provides a host of new and exciting features,” says Aaron Bangs, software engineer at Popoto Modem. “We’ve created a generalized GPIO framework that allows for remote acoustic switching either through the default pshell, or via the Python, C++, JSON or MATLAB APIs.” The upgraded modem is useful for a wide range of remote command and control applications and is currently being used to develop innovations in commercial fishing and undersea exploration. In addition, a new multi-hosting capability allows multiple users to connect to a single modem.
Version 2.7 also features an improved baseband and passband recording capability, that allows the modem to operate at the same time as the PCM data is recorded or played.
Availability
Version 2.7 is available with all new Popoto Modem purchases, or as a free upgrade to existing users. Contact Popoto Modem at [email protected] to obtain your free upgrade.
About Popoto Modem
Located on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, Popoto Modem is a worldwide leader in Subsea Acoustic Communications. With its reliable communications, attractive price-point, and flexible, modern interfaces, Popoto Modem is ushering in the next generation of underwater IoT.
Remote Hydrography Conference and Exhibition moved to Dublin – February 2022
The Hydrographic Society UK first began preparations for a conference focused on Remote Hydrography back in late 2019. Due to Covid, they have already been forced to delay the event more than once during 2020 and were planning for an exciting venue in Cork, Ireland for this November. However, they have now been informed by the venue that due to Covid-19 it will no longer be possible to run the event there this year. Once again, they are therefore forced to delay and adjust the plan…
They are now pleased to announce that they have secured the excellent venue of Dublin Castle, right in the centre of Ireland’s capital city, for the 22nd to 24th February 2022. Remote Hydrography will be a three-day conference and exhibition focussed on developments in uncrewed platforms, associated sensors and software as well as marine remote sensing. They are kindly supported by our partners the Geological Survey Ireland, Marine Institute, INFOMAR and Fáilte Ireland. INFOMAR will also run their annual seminar on Monday 21st February at the same venue so that the two events can complement each other.
They hope you are able to adjust your schedules to accommodate, and once again apologise for the further changes. However, they are sure you understand that they can only play the cards they are dealt!
Sponsorship and exhibiting opportunities will be released in the coming months. For further information please contact: [email protected]
So, please put the week commencing 21st of February in your diaries and keep an eye on Remote Hydrography Conference & Exhibition - The Hydrographic Society UK (ths.org.uk) for further updates. They look forward to seeing you there!
Ashtead Technology enters into a global partnership with Hydromea
International subsea equipment solutions specialist Ashtead Technology has entered into a global rental partnership with Switzerland-based Hydromea, the innovative subsea wireless access provider.
Under the deal, Ashtead Technology will actively promote and use Hydromea’s LUMA™ high-speed through-water wireless optical modems as an integral part of its AMS+ and DMS (Autonomous & Deflection Monitoring Systems) for the global subsea construction market. Hydromea will benefit from Ashtead Technology’s extensive sales and distribution network including facilities in Aberdeen, Abu Dhabi, Halifax, Houston and Singapore.
Hydromea is pioneering scalable wireless subsea access with its high-speed underwater communication devices under the LUMA™ brand. The LUMA™ products are the smallest, lightest, lowest power consuming optical modems that provide high-speed and high-bandwidth wireless communication at depths of up to 6,000 meters with remarkably low latency.
David Mair, Ashtead Technology’s Business Development Director, said: “This global rental partnership strengthens the group’s position, creating a bespoke, more competitive offering, while reinforcing our position as a leader in the provision of advanced subsea monitoring solutions. Our customers will now have access to a technology from a leading innovator in subsea wireless data transfer solutions.
“Adding Hydromea’s wireless optical modems to our existing capabilities means we can now offer a more efficient monitoring package during offshore construction projects, allowing our customers to further reduce project complexity, driving down overall project costs.”
Ross McLeod, Ashtead Technology’s Technical Director, added: “We have been using LUMA™ modems on construction projects over the past 2 years and we were very pleased with the functionality and ease of integration of the devices into our existing systems. All our clients who had a chance to work with our monitoring systems equipped with LUMA™, were duly impressed with its capabilities.
“The LUMA™ modems contribute to improved accuracy and speed, which is tremendous value during complex construction projects. We will now roll out the LUMA™ technology into our global construction and O&M projects and it will become one of the key differentiators in our subsea monitoring and positioning systems.”
Igor Martin, CEO of Hydromea, said “We are pleased and excited about extending our partnership with Ashtead Technology to the global subsea construction market. Ashtead Technology hold a world-leading position in providing offshore equipment solutions, and we regard this partnership as a joining of forces to bring our innovative proprietary technology to the market and drive greater customer adoption. We are honored to be part of Ashtead Technology’s monitoring offering to support operators in reducing risks and costs associated with complex subsea construction and O&M projects.”
Founded in 2014, Hydromea is a Swiss-based autonomous underwater robotics company delivering solutions that allow customers to have unparalleled access to subsea data and underwater assets. The company focuses on the development of affordable, autonomous, and miniaturised devices that can be used at any ocean depth for unprecedented data access.
Established in 1985, Ashtead Technology has grown organically and through strategic acquisition to become the leading provider of equipment rental solutions, advanced underwater technologies, and support services to the global energy sector.
The company employs more than 200 people and services its customers from nine facilities located in key offshore energy hubs including Aberdeen, Abu Dhabi, Broussard, Halifax, Houma, Houston, Inverurie, London and Singapore.
Instrument manufacturer expands undeterred by the pandemic
Leading oceanographic and hydrographic instrument manufacturer, Valeport, has continued to innovate and expand by launching a new company dedicated to providing highly accurate, innovative instruments to the Water industry.
The new company, Valeport Water Ltd, will leverage the expertise and manufacturing capabilities of its sister company, Valeport.
Although this expansion of the Valeport brand was born out of the pandemic, the marine tech firm which has served the subsea market for decades, also has a long history serving the hydrometry and hydrology markets. Indeed the first Valeport product was a Braystoke Impeller Flow Metre used for the Thames Barrier project in 1969.
“No doubt 2020 was one of the strangest years ever, but it has also been one of our busiest. Expanding the Valeport brand to serve the water market, is something that we had planned before the pandemic”, Matt Quartley, Valeport Group managing director commented.
“Although for many years Valeport has worked in the Water industry, it has been pretty much under the radar. We do have a long-standing relationship with an international water cycle management company, developing for them insertion flow technology for water distribution networks and acoustic doppler technology for sewer flow.
“However, as Valeport’s marine product portfolio continued to grow with our expertise in optical measurements and environmental monitoring, we began to see opportunities for using this technology with the inland water sectors. Not just hydrometry and hydrology where we already had a presence, but also the drinking water and water treatment sectors. The pandemic has allowed us to push ahead with this expansion and launch a dedicated new offer”, added Matt.
The launch of Valeport Water, which will sit alongside the original Valeport marine instrument business and a third company, Valeport Service, is part of the firm’s ambitious growth strategy as it targets market leadership in the environmental sensors sector.
Valeport Water is drawing on the manufacturing capabilities of the original Valeport company and the firm has restructured and expanded its HQ base to facilitate the growth of Valeport Water.
Products in the Valeport Water portfolio including flow metres, fluorometers and turbidity sensors, loggers and telemetry systems are designed and manufactured at the firm’s riverside HQ in Devon, UK. All Valeport Water products, like the marine technology, come with a three-year limited warranty, extendable perpetually with regular servicing.
“Valeport Water will bring highly accurate, reliable and easily accessible data to new audiences in the drinking water, surface water, waste water, irrigation water and industrial water industries, as well as strengthen our presence in the hydrological and hydrogeological communities”, concluded Matt.
For more information contact:
[email protected]
www.valeportwater.co.uk
OFG and EMGS enter into a cooperation agreement
Ocean Floor Geophysics Inc (OFG) and Electromagnetic Geoservices ASA (EMGS) have announced today the signing of a cooperation agreement under which the two companies agree to work together on various projects to promote the use of marine CSEM technology.
The agreement places specific emphasis on exploiting the obvious synergies between the state-of-the-art towed-streamer CSEM system from OFG (under its exclusive right to acquire the PGS EM technology) and the industry-leading sea-bottom CSEM/MT nodal system from EMGS. Cooperation will include development of proprietary and multi-client surveys, and multiphysics reprocessing of existing seismic and CSEM data.
“We are delighted to have entered into this agreement with EMGS”, stated Richard Cooper, President of OFG Multiphysics. “Combining our technologies, expertise and market experience is an obvious next step for both companies and allows us to provide fast and efficient data acquisition and processing services over the widest possible range of marine environments for resource and environmental applications.”
“We see industry collaboration as key for advancing the EM technology. This agreement allows us to expand our acquisition offering to also include the towed-streamer technology and together with OFG we will continue to work on expanding the CSEM market and the range of CSEM applications”, said Bjørn Petter Lindhom, CEO of EMGS.
For more information: