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Fugro expands its USV fleet with the development of the ‘Blue Prism™’ for autonomous and sustainable geophysical surveys

Fugro has signed a contract with Kooiman Engineering and Van Oossanen Naval Architects for the naval design of Blue Prism™, Fugro’s next generation of uncrewed surface vessels (USVs). Specifically engineered for operations in both coastal and offshore environments, the Blue Prism™ will combine an ultra-low carbon footprint with high quality data collection, weather resilience and endurance characteristics.

Available to clients in 2023, Fugro’s Blue Prism™ will acquire bathymetry and sub-bottom data of the highest accuracy using hull mounted sensors, whilst also having the ability to tow multiple geophysical sensors. Capable of beyond line of sight operations, it will be the first low carbon autonomous vessel to combine these advanced vessel characteristics and sensors. Together with Fugro’s smart data management software, the speed and endurance of the Blue Prism will reduce risk and accelerate project delivery in offshore wind, hydrographic charting and coastal resilience.

Perry van Oossanen, Managing Director and Naval Architect at Van Oossanen Naval Architects, said: “We are thrilled to be part of this exciting project in which the best technics in Dutch ship building are combined in this new uncrewed ultra-efficient vessel. To re-think the design and lay-out of a vessel without a crew is a dream come true for a naval architect.”

Maarten Kooiman, Director of Kooiman Engineering, said: “The collaboration between Kooiman and Van Oossanen has already led to innovative solutions, and we are pleased to be able to help Fugro take the next step in uncrewed vessels.”

Frank Koopman, Fugro’s Global Director Marine Site Characterisation, said: “Autonomous vessels play an important role in the future of the maritime survey sector by improving safety, reducing carbon emissions, and delivering high quality data more efficiently. We chose to work with Kooiman Engineering and Van Oossanen Naval Architects because of their extensive track record in innovative ship design and hydrodynamics and we look forward to working with them on this exiting project as we are determined to grow our fleet of USVs for safer, more sustainable marine operations.”.

by Dan Levett

Fugro’s innovative Blue Snake™ system achieves success on its first offshore wind project

Fugro has successfully completed a contract for the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) to perform a geotechnical site investigation at the IJmuiden Ver (Noord) V and VI wind farm sites as part of the geophysical survey package. Working from a third-party vessel, Fugro deployed its new Blue Snake™ geotechnical system to conduct 25 co-located cone penetration tests (CPT), thermal cone penetration tests (T-CPT) and high performance corer (HPC) tests.

Michel Vrolijk, Consultant Offshore Wind Energy at RVO, said: “Supporting our partners to innovate is one of the ways to jointly improve our site characterisations for offshore wind. With the 21 GW planned on the Netherlands’ Offshore Wind Energy Roadmap 2030/31, offshore site investigations need to speed up as well. Therefore, RVO is pleased with the implementation of Fugro’s Blue Snake™, because of the ability to perform a vibrocore in combination with a CPT in a single deployment. The short fixed distance between the CPT and vibrocore will also allow for better correlation between data, this could improve data interpretation”.

The Fugro Blue Snake™ is an innovative system that integrates CPT and sampling technology, achieving enhanced data quality, safety and efficiency. The tests are taken consecutively, at a fixed distance, enabling high-quality data acquisition and improved data correlation. With the integrated testing approach and the significant reduction of manual and crane handling, productivity is improved whilst health and safety risks are reduced.

The IJmuiden Ver V and VI areas are in the northern part of the IJmuiden Ver wind farm zone and will be able to accommodate around 2 GW of offshore wind capacity, on top of the 4 GW of capacity already planned in the IJmuiden Ver zone.
Sven Plasman, Fugro’s Principal Commercial Manager, said: “Having the support and commitment from a client such as RVO is highly appreciated. Their willingness to trial our new innovative equipment, resulted in the successful delivery of Geo-data in a safe, sustainable and efficient manner. We look forward to its continued success with the Blue Snake™ earmarked for projects throughout Europe.”

Watch the Fugro Blue Snake™ video for more information.

by Dan Levett

HOUSTON – STR HAS LANDED

Subsea Technology & Rentals (STR) is delighted to announce the launch and official opening of its Houston facilities
and to mark the occasion, is hosting its opening on Wednesday 27th and Thursday 28th April 2022.
Since STR successfully expanded in the Americas in January 2021, the organisation has gone from strength to
strength, having established key relationships with existing and new customers which has set a strong foundation
in the region for future opportunities. In order for STR to continue support these opportunities it was vital for STR
to invest in local facilities and resources date to provide our customers with the expertise they have become
accustomed to.

The opening of STR’s Houston facilities, which are STR’s largest facilities globally, is a pivotal moment in STR’s
journey, boosted by the recent investment by Baird Capital.
Ka Henney-Cant, STR’s Vice President – Americas, said “I am extremely proud of STR’s journey to date globally and
in the Americas. This strategic expansion is being driven by STR’s Leadership Team, following the recent success of
our international expansions in Australia and Singapore. We believe that this expansion firmly positions STR as a
global leader in the provision of subsea technology.”“Today is a great day for everyone at STR, and we couldn’t have achieved this without the support and teamwork
of our global colleagues who have worked remotely during a global pandemic to ensure our success, characteristics
which epitomises our key values.”

Steve Steele, STR’s CEO, said “With an investment of over $1.5m in our new purpose designed facility, this will
provide us with the platform to attract the best talent, showcase our in-house technology and provide better
support to our customers across the energy markets.”

by Dan Levett

XOCEAN Expands Leadership Team with Appointment of new CTO Shepard Smith, former Director of the Office of Coast Survey at NOAA

XOCEAN, the international ocean data company, are announcing the appointment of Shepard (Shep) Smith as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) in the latest expansion of their leadership team. Smith brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to XOCEAN with his background in hydrographic survey and new technology implementation, having served 28 years as a commissioned officer with the US Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). At NOAA, Smith rose to the rank of Rear Admiral and was closely involved in advancing state-of-the-art hydrography and nautical cartography.

His 10 years of working at sea included tours in Alaska, the Pacific, and the Atlantic and Gulf coasts and four years as the Commanding Officer and Chief Scientist of the NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson. In his final role with NOAA, he served as Director of the Office of Coast Survey, where he oversaw the US national programs in hydrography and nautical cartography. Smith also represented the United States at the International Hydrographic Organisation and regional hydrographic commissions.

CEO James Ives commented:

“We’re delighted to welcome Shep to the XOCEAN team. Throughout Shep’s career, he has continually pushed the boundaries of ocean technology, and we’re really excited to have him leading the next phase of our technical journey. Above all, we share the same vision of transforming ocean data through technology with the purpose of supporting the sustainable growth of the ocean economy.”

“XOCEAN’s vision and ambition has appealed to me from the very beginning.” said Smith of his appointment. “Their USV technology has already caught the attention of the industry and the company’s aspirations are set to shake up seabed surveying further. It is critical that we harness the power of technology to support a low carbon maritime sector—XOCEAN will be key to this sustainable future. I’m excited to be part of this innovative organisation and to support the team in bringing their forward-thinking ideas to the market.”

Smith will be responsible for propelling XOCEAN to its next phase of growth: developing XOCEAN’s technology roadmap, advancing the boundaries of Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV) tech, and driving the technical vision for the business.

XOCEAN uses its proprietary marine robotic technology to collect ocean data sustainably across a range of industries, including offshore wind. XOCEAN has successfully delivered over 100 projects, accumulating over 35,000 hours of operation and offsetting over 45,000 tonnes of CO². XOCEAN serves the growing demand for carbon-neutral data collection, using satellite controlled uncrewed vessels developed in-house. The company is headquartered in Ireland, with offices in the UK, Canada, Norway and most recently the US.

XOCEAN’s ambitious technology roadmap will integrate new capabilities into the USV, maximising the efficiency of the platform, and mapping deeper waters. The company’s mission is to push the boundaries of technology for the benefit of their clients, the industry, and the environment.

To learn more about partnering with XOCEAN email [email protected] or visit xocean.com

by Dan Levett

NIWA-Nippon Foundation Tonga Eruption Seabed Mapping Project a "rare opportunity" to study effects of Tonga eruption

NIWA and The Nippon Foundation are undertaking a mission to discover the undersea impacts of the recent Tongan volcanic eruption.

In a rare opportunity to improve understanding of the nature and impact of a major volcanic eruption, NIWA scientists are sailing to Tonga to survey the ocean around the Hunga-Tonga Hunga-Ha'apai (HT–HH) volcano and surrounding regions. They will be surveying thousands of square kilometres of the seafloor and collecting video images of the eruption’s impact from NIWA’s research vessel, RV Tangaroa, and using SEA-KIT International’s Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV) Maxlimer to conduct further mapping.

The NIWA-Nippon Foundation Tonga Eruption Seabed Mapping Project (TESMaP) is being funded by The Nippon Foundation – the largest non-profit organisation based in Japan which, amongst other philanthropic activities, has been facilitating projects in the ocean field since 1962. The research is also supported by The Nippon Foundation-GEBCO Seabed 2030 Project which aims to map the world’s ocean floor by 2030.

Project leader and NIWA Chief Scientist Oceans Mike Williams predicts that there will be extensive changes to the underwater landscape around Tonga.

“Before the eruption, much of the volcano was above water but now none of it is and the neighbouring islands of Hunga Tonga and Hunga Ha'apai were reduced in size. We expect similarly dramatic changes to have occurred in the underwater topography.

“Submarine cable breakages show impacts up to 50 kilometres from the volcano caldera, implying changes to the seabed over an area of at least 8,000 square kilometres. This survey will investigate the impacts of the eruption in the water column and on the seabed around HT–HH.”

The eruption was unprecedented and unexpected; volcanos of this type were not previously anticipated to erupt so violently or trigger such large explosions.

Dr Williams says that with similar volcanos around the globe, particularly along the Pacific Ring of Fire, the eruption of HT–HH highlights a risk to society from our lack of knowledge about them.

The Nippon Foundation Chairman Dr Yohei Sasakawa says that this research is vital to help protect people from similar natural disasters in the future.

“By working together, we have the power to help solve some of the biggest problems facing society, including the fall-out from natural disasters.

“We hope that this work will help researchers and governments understand and mitigate the risk of future eruptions, which will be of particular benefit to countries that lie within proximity of these threatening natural wonders, like Japan and New Zealand.”

Tonga’s Deputy Secretary for Lands and Natural Resources Taaniela Kula says that the eruption of the HT–HH volcano on January 15, 2022, had catastrophic consequences.

“It covered our main island of Tongatapu in carpets of toxic ash, generated a sonic boom that travelled around the globe and caused a tsunami that resulted in deaths and damage as far away as South America.

“It also severed both submarine fibre optic cables connecting Tonga with the world, leaving our country in a prolonged “blackout”. The direct economic impact of the eruption is estimated by the World Bank to be over $US90m. As a country we’re building back slowly. We hope this research will help in the efforts to protect our nation and others like us in the future.”

The TESMaP project will take place in two parts – NIWA’s research vessel Tangaroa, will set sail next week [9 April] to do the first part of the surveying. Following that, SEA-KIT International’s 12-metre-long USV Maxlimer, in coordination with Seabed 2030, will remain at sea for an additional month of mapping and environmental data collection.

Scientists will gather acoustic data using echosounders to determine the shape and structure of the underwater landscape, including the thickness of ash deposits and the formation of any new bedforms. This data will then be compared with previous maps to identify areas for sampling, so that further changes to the area, such as impacts to marine life and the seafloor’s chemical composition, can be assessed.

Kevin Mackay is head of the South and West Pacific Regional Center of Seabed 2030 and the voyage leader. He says that the collective knowledge, experience and resources of the organisations involved will help build a detailed and invaluable picture of the eruption’s aftermath.

“By working alongside and pooling resources with such a multinational team, we’ll be able to gather an incredible amount of information of what happens during eruptions like these, what the impacts are, and how we can be better prepared next time a similar event occurs.

“There is much we still don’t know about the natural world, especially what occurs under our oceans, so we’re delighted to take this opportunity to build our knowledge and help Tonga’s people and environment.”

Ben Simpson, CEO, SEA-KIT International, says it is an exciting opportunity to demonstrate data collection using less than 2% of the fuel of a typical survey vessel.

“USV Maxlimer will be controlled from the other side of the world, at our base in the UK, as she safely gathers a range of data types from inside the caldera for a full month to develop and support understanding of the eruption’s undersea impact.”

by Dan Levett

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.”

by Dan Levett

Hexagon’s R-evolution expands its sustainability agenda to help protect coastal blue carbon ecosystems

Hexagon AB, a global leader in digital reality solutions, today announced R-evolution’s efforts to map the threatened seagrass meadows of the Caribbean islands, beginning with the coastal waters of the Bahamas. In collaboration with Beneath The Waves – a leading, global, non-profit organisation dedicated to protecting marine environments – R-evolution is leveraging Hexagon’s airborne bathymetric LiDAR technologies to detect, map and capture critical details about this vital habitat, including its extent and composition.

Blue carbon ecosystems refer to coastal and marine vegetated habitats, such as seagrass meadows, salt marshes, and mangrove forests, that sequester and store carbon from the atmosphere and ocean. These powerful carbon sinks are rapidly disappearing in many parts of the world. Seagrass meadows, the most common among them, are crucial to solving environmental challenges yet remain among the least recognised and least protected ecological habitats.

As part of a long-term shark monitoring project to study and protect the oceans, Beneath The Waves discovered that tiger sharks spend a large portion of their life patrolling and foraging dense seagrass meadows. A combination of sensor tagged sharks, satellite data, marine vessel surveys and scuba divers drove the ongoing discovery and mapping of the extensive seagrass meadows of the Caribbean. But to protect and restore these blue carbon sinks, the findings must be validated with high positional accuracy and datasets that can provide efficient, year-on-year change detection and monitoring.

R-evolution is helping Beneath The Waves validate their findings by deploying survey aircraft geared with one of Hexagon’s airborne bathymetric LiDAR solutions, the Leica Chiroptera 4X. The airborne bathymetry solution enables the cost-effective, rapid survey of large areas—accurately mapping thousands of square kilometres of seabed habitats at up to 30 metres water depth in just a few days. The high-resolution point clouds and aerial imagery will allow Beneath The

“We have a planetary need to protect and restore our oceans—our biggest life support system harboring more biodiversity than any ecosystem on land,” says Hexagon President and CEO Ola Rollén. “The protection and restoration of seagrass meadows can not only improve ocean health and productivity — from purifying water to protecting food chains — but also aid the natural sequestration of massive amounts of carbon, providing major potential for offsetting pollution and reaching net-neutral carbon goals.”

While Hexagon and R-evolution focus on reducing the world’s carbon footprint, both companies continue to bring innovation, cutting-edge technology and corporate leadership to climate change mitigation strategies. By combining the marine expertise of Beneath The Waves with the technological expertise of Hexagon, the collaborative project expects to yield groundbreaking results for blue carbon conservation.

“Hexagon has been a major player in the airborne bathymetric LiDAR industry for many years,” continued Rollén. “R-evolution’s collaboration with Beneath The Waves is an excellent opportunity to deliver on the commitment to helping the world achieve its environmental goals. We are honoured to be a technology partner in this planet-saving research project, which aims to support, preserve and unlock the power of nature to build climate resilience.”

Launched in mid-February 2021, R-evolution is Hexagon’s business venture focused on reinventing how industry addresses complex environmental challenges, profitably, using Hexagon’s digital reality solutions. Learn more about R-evolution’s projects that accelerate the world’s transition to a sustainable economy.

by Dan Levett