New director appointments at global maritime defence company Forcys
Forcys has appointed Dr Ioseba (Joe) Tena as Managing Director and Mr Peter Hodgkinson as Non-Executive Director.
Ioseba, who takes up the role with immediate effect, has served as Forcys Commercial Director since the company’s formation in 2022. Prior to that, Ioseba was Head of Defence at Sonardyne International Limited who are also part of the Covelya Group alongside Forcys, Chelsea Technologies, EIVA, Voyis, and Wavefront Systems.
“Launching Forcys, we were confident our cutting-edge commercial technology would accelerate the development of powerful, next-generation underwater platforms," says Ioseba. "And the initial response from customers validates this vision. I am excited in my new role to keep turning that vision into reality. Our customers venture where others fear to tread and Forcys, together with our technology partners across the Covelya Group, are dedicated to providing them with the best tools to succeed in their missions.”
Ioseba is a recognised and successful leader in the unmanned maritime systems and sensors industry. Prior to joining Sonardyne, Ioseba worked at SeeByte were he led the sales and marketing team. He has a PhD in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from Heriot-Watt University focused on underwater navigation and sonar.
Forcys are also welcoming Mr Peter Hodgkinson to the Forcys Limited board as a Non-Executive Director. Peter started his career as a Weapons Engineer in the Royal Navy Submarine Service working on Strategic Weapon Systems and complex integrated C4ISTAR systems. On retirement from the RN, he worked in the BAE Systems Advanced Technology Group, focused on sensor and C4I systems across a number of platforms, rising from Principal Engineer to Business Executive for the Advanced Technology Team.
Peter joined SEA maritime technology group as the Business Development Director in 2009, with a short period at OSI. During his time there, the company grew from 60 to 400 people through a combination of organic activity, mergers and acquisitions. Peter left the group in 2023.
Retiring to become a Senior Consultant in Maritime Defence, Peter brings a wealth of experience as a both a user and provider of cutting-edge maritime defence systems and has right skills and management experience to help drive our planned expansion.
“With Forcys, Covelya Group is committing to support our navies putting our best foot forward. We appreciate they need to work with companies that understand their operational requirements and their need for security. I am confident that the new board appointments will help us deliver on this commitment.” Stephen Fasham, CEO, Covelya Group.
Matthew Peck joins Teledyne Interconnect Solutions as Outside Sales Manager
Teledyne Interconnect Solutions, a part of Teledyne Marine, is pleased to announce that Matthew Peck has joined the organization as its new Outside Sales Manager. Based primarily in Houston, TX, Matthew will be leading the Interconnect sales team in serving customers in a wide range of industrial and marine markets.
Matthew spent the initial years of his career at JDR Cable Systems, working in the Subsea Oil & Gas and Offshore Wind industries. He has been in Sales, Engineering, and Project Management, covering global projects for subsea umbilicals and power cables. Then moving to Private Equity, led his company to aggressive growth in Onshore Cable and Specialty Vehicles domains. Matthew studied Material Science and Engineering at the University of Manchester in the UK.
George Andersen, GM and VP of Teledyne Interconnect Solutions, shares, “I am excited to welcome Matthew Peck to our team as Outside Sales Manager. His prior experience in similar markets, products, and applications, along with a strategic vision and customer centric focus will help propel our sales efforts to new heights.”
Adds Matthew, “I am thrilled to join a World Class organization in Teledyne Interconnect Solutions, and contributing to an already fantastic product range and culture energizes me to take us to new levels and markets.”
Pro-Oceanus Systems announces Mark Barry as new President
Dissolved Gas Sensor manufacturer, Pro-Oceanus Systems, proudly announces the appointment of Mark Barry as its new President and Owner.
Mark moves in to the role of President after joining Pro-Oceanus in 2012 and working through a number of progressives roles within the company prior to this appointment. He brings strong knowledge in science, engineering and business to lead Pro-Oceanus forward as a company that has seen revenues increase an average of 30% per year over the past 5 years while he was the VP of Business Development.
“I am truly excited to lead Pro-Oceanus. From enhancing our interaction with partners, to foster new innovation in product development, to leading to the advancement of sensors for monitoring dissolved greenhouse gases are keys to the future of Pro-Oceanus. Enhancing the reliability of Pro-Oceanus products through continuous improvement in all areas of the business is a key goal moving forward” says Mark.
The creation of a strong and stable global base for our products continues to be the focus, with expansion of new products that are designed with this base in mind. Expanding into emerging markets such as aquaculture and wastewater will also be part of the overall strategy to expand and grow.
New President and Vice President for IMCA
The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) announces a new President, Luca Gentili of Saipem.
He replaces Jonathan Tame of Subsea7 who previously held the role and who, in accordance with IMCA’s constitution, came to the end of his two-year term. Hugo Bouvy of Deme Offshore is appointed as new Vice President.
Luca Gentili, Head of Assets, Fabrication and Project Services in Saipem, and new IMCA President said: “I’m delighted to be appointed President of IMCA and I am looking forward to continuing to work with the board, as well as with our CEO Iain Grainger. IMCA has a key role to play in bringing the industry together, raising standards and performance, and in supporting our Members to meet new ambitions around offshore energy. The Board and I will continue to work closely with Iain and his team to ensure Members’ voices are fully heard.”
Iain Grainger, IMCA CEO commented: “I’m looking forward to working with Luca and Hugo as we continue to focus on what we do best, supporting our Members to meet the safety and sustainability challenges which lie ahead.”
Commenting on the end of Jonathan Tame’s term, Iain Grainger, IMCA CEO, said: “I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank Jon for his contribution to IMCA as President, and for his steady hand and guidance in what has been a transitional time for both the organisation and the industry.”
Forcys strengthens team to empower your underwater dominance
Forcys is excited to announce further expansion across its global operations, adding to its team of experts dedicated to equipping navies with the most advanced underwater solutions, and establishing a US entity. Forcys is committed to working alongside you and your supply chain to elevate your lethality and situational awareness in the critical undersea domain.
Counting on a legacy built over five decades, Forcys’ technology offer is trusted by navies worldwide. It provides a unique range of remote, autonomous, and networked control capabilities that deliver integrated underwater intelligence for every mission.
In a significant move, Dan Zatezalo joins Forcys as General Manager for Forcys Inc. and Head of Global Sales. Dan was responsible for US DoD sales at sister company Sonardyne Inc. delivering continued growth. At Forcys he will look to instil the same customer led culture. "I'm excited to take on the new role. I cherish the responsibility that comes from supporting our customers at a time when new technology challenges the way we have been acting".
Covering a range of maritime operations including asset protection, littoral strike, mine warfare, submarine rescue, and submarine and anti-submarine warfare, Forcys seeks to transform the underwater domain by enabling increasingly distributed and automated operations. This is made possible by integrating and bringing to market world-changing solutions from leading technology partners Chelsea Technologies, EIVA, Sonardyne, Voyis, and Wavefront Systems.
Ioseba Tena, Commercial Director, "Since we launched Forcys eighteen months ago, the underwater domain has continued to receive unprecedented levels of interest. It's no longer a question of when autonomous systems will become a factor. It's now a question of what we do to counter them. It's time for original responses to novel threats. Time to create our own fleets of systems and counter measures. At Forcys we are ready to spearhead the delivery of situational awareness sensors and software to support this transition. It’s an exciting time for our team and we are looking forward to supporting our global customer base.”
Driving Growth: Greensea IQ appoints Jeff Vos for key role
Greensea IQ, a leading provider of intelligent ocean solutions and the creator of the OPENSEA operating system, is pleased to announce the newest addition to its team, Jeff Vos, who has been appointed as the Business Development Manager for Integrated Systems. Vos brings a wealth of experience and expertise in the marine industry, having worked in ocean robotics for the past five years, most recently at Oceantobics, Inc.
In his role as Business Development Manager for Integrated Systems, Vos will be based out of Greensea IQ's San Diego office, where he will focus on driving sales and building strategic partnerships. His primary responsibility will be to promote and enhance the market presence of Greensea IQ's Bayonet autonomous underwater ground vehicles (AUGV), a cutting-edge solution that offers unmatched autonomy and versatility in near shore, underwater operations, making it an invaluable asset for marine applications in the surf zone.
"We are really excited to have Jeff join Greensea IQ," said Rob Howard, Chief Growth Officer at Greensea IQ. "His strong background and experience in ocean robotics business development, along with his international network, will provide tremendous support to our commercial and defense growth next year."
In his new role, Vos will play a pivotal role in identifying key partners, building long-term relationships, and developing new market segments. His focus on the Bayonet AUGV technology will contribute to its success as a groundbreaking solution for marine applications in the surf zone.
Vos expressed his excitement about joining Greensea IQ, stating, "I am excited to join the team at Greensea IQ and contribute to the growth of the Bayonet AUGV product line. The opportunities for innovation in marine robotics are immense, and I look forward to leveraging my skills to elevate Greensea IQ's position in the market."
Greensea IQ is confident that Jeff Vos's addition to the team will further strengthen the company's position as a leader in intelligent ocean solutions and reinforce its commitment to providing state-of-the-art technology for underwater operations.
Ørsted’s Benj Sykes becomes President of the SUT
The Society for Underwater Technology recently marked the official hand over to new elected officers in three senior posts – President, Hon Secretary and Hon Treasurer; the announcement of a new Fellow of the Learned Society; and of winners of four Awards. These being The President’s Award, the Gwyn Griffiths Award for Underwater Robotics, the Lennard-Senior Award; and the Captain Don Walsh Award for Ocean Exploration. Once all the formalities were concluded SUT members were treated to a look at decarbonising the energy system by Abigail Davies PhD with particular reference to decommissioning..
Benj Sykes, Vice President, Head of Environment, Consenting and External Affairs at Ørsted has been elected SUT’s President, Nick Swift becomes Hon Secretary, and Mick Cook returns as Hon Treasurer. Sue John continues in her role as SUT’s Chair.
As SUT’s Chief Executive, Cheryl Burgess explained: “Benj Sykes will bring valuable insights and connections to the Society. He has worked extensively in both the offshore oil and gas and the offshore renewables sector. Through his current role at Ørsted, and previously at the Carbon Trust, and his non-executive roles in the Offshore Renewables Catapult and previously the Offshore Wind Industry Council and RenewableUK. He is a current member of the Board of the Global Underwater Hub.
“His experience and connections are well suited to helping the Society navigate the energy transition; helping to guide the offshore oil and gas sector through the energy transition, while building a stronger position in offshore renewable energy and the wider components of a sustainable ocean economy.”
Benj Sykes, now a Fellow of the SUT, said: “Renewable energy will be at the heart of the world’s future energy systems. I’m looking forward to helping champion the SUT on its journey to playing a full role in the energy transition as we move away from fossil fuels and towards a cleaner, greener future.”
The President’s Award
Outgoing SUT President, Moya Crawford, revealed that: “This year’s winner of the SUT President’s Award for outstanding achievement is Mr Ali Hynd, Vice Principal of Mintlaw Academy in Buchan, NE Scotland and the pupils he inspires in Mintlaw ROV, a very professional school club run under his technology remit.
“It has been awarded in the face of very stiff opposition, as a shining example of what can be achieved in the most formative stages of life when the creative and rewarding relationship between mentor and young minds is operating at its best. Directed by a strong sense of purpose and supported by the community, including industry, the focus of overcoming the challenges of delivering function in the underwater realm has developed personal skills and generated opportunity as well as being an applied learning experience.
“Together, they are a shining example to us all one which justly deserves the honour of President's Award, to acknowledge their effort and commitment. This will be handed over at Subsea Expo in Aberdeen in February 2024 and we look forward to covering their joint achievements in full, then.”
Awards made July 2022- June 2023
The 2022 President’s Award was made to Mensun Bound in recognition of his career achievements to, and contributions in, the field of marine archaeology and the Falkland Maritime Heritage Trust in recognition of their dedication to preserving the rich and varied seafaring history of the Falklands and those who have been associated with them.
The 2023 Gwyn Griffiths Award for Underwater Robotics was presented to Rustom Jehangir of Blue Robotics at Ocean Business 2023.
Norma Hogan of Highlands and Islands Enterprise was the recipient of the 2023 Lennard-Senior Memorial Prize. The prize is awarded in recognition of outstanding individual achievement in the field of Marine Renewable Energy. Norma has supported the wave and tidal sector for 15 years, working behind the scenes to support a sector that will be transformational for the UK.
The 2022 Captain Don Walsh Award for Ocean Exploration, presented jointly with the Marine Technology Society (MTS), was awarded to University of Georgia oceanographer Dr Samantha Joye.
Decarbonising the energy system with reference to decommissioning
Following the formal proceedings Abigail Davies spoke on decarbonising the energy system, which she described as “one of the most pressing issues of our time” and presented her PhD work investigating the greenhouse gas emissions from decommissioning and how the results can be used to inform decarbonisation decision making.
Abigail has over 15 years of experience in the oil and gas industry working in various roles in geosciences for operators and supply companies. Having very recently completed her PhD in the quantification of greenhouse gas emissions from decommissioning Abigail joined the Robert Gordon University in September as a lecturer in sustainability. Her research interests include quantification of GHG emissions from the energy system, including GHG emissions transition pathway mapping, sustainability, circular economy and climate change mitigations.
Kimberlee McHugh joins Teledyne Marine - Falmouth
Kimberlee McHugh has joined Teledyne Marine - Vehicles, located in North Falmouth, Massachusetts, as the organisation’s new marketing manager.
Mrs. McHugh, former marketing director at the Steamship Authority, has over 15 years of senior level marketing experience in the maritime transportation, hospitality, and tourism industries. Her career highlights include digital marketing development and execution, HR recruitment advertising planning and execution, increasing market share, sales and revenue growth, website development and launch, 360 marketing strategy, project management, event planning, attending trade shows, and digital content planning and execution.
"We welcome Kimberlee to the Teledyne Marine team and look forward to her bringing her wealth of digital marketing experience and knowledge to us,” said Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing William Egan.
Kimberlee's role at Teledyne encompasses the planning, development and implementation of internal and external marketing strategies, marketing communications, event coordination and planning, social media, web presence and messaging, and public relations activities, and coordinating the development and implementation of support materials and services day-to-day for Teledyne Marine located in North Falmouth, Massachusetts.
“I am thrilled to be a part of Teledyne’s dynamic sales and marketing team and getting to know the brilliant professionals who are responsible for developing, managing and delivering cutting-edge subsea technology,” Ms. McHugh said. “I look forward to sharing a fresh, new perspective to Teledyne’s marketing strategy.”
Kraken announces changes to Board of Directors
Kraken Robotics Inc. is pleased to announce that effective November 20, Peter A. Hunter has been appointed to the Company’s Board of Directors. Mr. Hunter replaces Larry Puddister, a long time Kraken Director who has resigned. Mr. Puddister has other active business interests and has resigned from his board position with the Company to dedicate more attention to those interests.
Mr. Hunter is the founder, Chairman, and Managing Partner of Artemis Capital Partners, L.P., a Boston-based specialized private equity firm focused on differentiated industrial technology manufacturers. An attorney and a CPA, Mr. Hunter brings more than 30 years of experience as both an investor and operator. His areas of expertise include strategic growth, structuring of multi-stakeholder strategies (including M&A, joint ventures and partnerships), corporate governance, and organizational planning. Mr. Hunter also brings subsea technology expertise to Kraken’s Board, having served 3 years as the Chairman of Hydroid, LLC, an industry leader in unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) with its REMUS UUV brand. Mr. Hunter was Chairman of Hydroid from its early days to its eventual acquisition by Kongsberg Maritime, AS in 2008. Hydroid was subsequently acquired from Kongsberg in 2020 by Huntington Ingalls, the US Navy’s largest shipbuilder and UUV provider (now known as HII).
Commenting on the changes, Greg Reid, Kraken’s President and CEO and Director noted, “We are very pleased to welcome Peter to the Board of Directors. His strategic, governance, financial, and operational experience and knowledge of the subsea industry will add significant value to Kraken. In addition, on behalf of management and the Board, I would like to thank Larry for his input and guidance over the years and we all wish him the best in his future endeavors.”
The Company issued 400,000 stock options to Mr. Hunter in connection with his appointment to the Board. These options have a five-year term, with vesting in three equal instalments on the date of grant and on the one and two-year anniversaries of the date of grant. Each option is exercisable for one common share at an exercise price of $0.495.
Elevate Offshore appoints Alex Natale, Geotechnical Engineering specialist, bolstering a new era of growth
levate Offshore, a prominent provider of survey, ROV, and inspection personnel serving the offshore oil and gas, renewable energy, telecoms, and power sectors, is pleased to announce the appointment of Alex Natale, an experienced Geotechnical Consultant in the offshore industry.
With a diverse career encompassing both onshore and offshore projects, Alex brings a distinctive combination of expertise and forward-thinking to Elevate Offshore’s geotechnical engineering discipline. His insights and passion for this specialised field are poised to enrich Elevate Offshore’s services and how it caters to the offshore industry.
Andrew Blears, Managing Director of Elevate Offshore, commented, “When we decided to expand our presence in the Geotechnical sector to complement our existing site characterisation business line, we recognised the importance of bringing in an industry expert to enhance our service offerings to our clients and offshore teams. In this regard, collaborating with Alex was a natural and straightforward decision. I had previously represented Alex years ago and was well-acquainted with his expertise and work approach, which seamlessly aligned with ours.
Together, we share a common vision: to bring value to our clients by ensuring that we possess the in-depth knowledge required for the successful and safe execution of projects, while also providing unwavering support to our offshore teams. With Alex’s invaluable expertise bolstering our efforts, we are poised to deliver personnel solutions our clients can always rely on, without fail. Our ambition is not to be the largest supplier in the industry; instead, we aim to be the one that consistently delivers outstanding results, without incident.”
Background
Alex’s journey in geotechnical engineering commenced with onshore and offshore geotechnical drilling projects, where he honed his skills in ground investigation and data collection. He then transitioned to vessel and office-based management roles, subsequently becoming the general manager of a survey company. His extensive experience was further boosted as he ventured into the oil and gas sector, serving as a site characterisation and package manager before working on a freelance basis as a geotechnical and foundation installation consultant.
This extensive and diverse experience has equipped Alex with a profound understanding of geotechnical requirements, underscored by a commitment to safety, operational efficiency, and technical precision in offshore projects. He remains firmly attuned to the latest advancements in the field through his active involvement in geotechnical client representation projects.
For Alex, the geotechnical industry isn’t just a job; it’s a community with a shared passion for tackling unique challenges. He notes, “Being part of such a niche and highly technical field feels like being a member of an extended family, where innovation and expertise thrive.”
The vital role of geotechnical engineering in offshore projects
Geotechnical engineering constitutes a pivotal phase preceding the initiation of any offshore project. It encompasses a series of rigorous processes designed to ensure that manmade structures positioned on the seabed are resilient against the formidable forces of nature throughout their intended design life and decommissioning. This discipline assumes an irreplaceable role in upholding the safety and longevity of offshore structures.
In today’s dynamic landscape, the field grapples with unique challenges, notably identifying and deploying suitably qualified and experienced personnel. As a specialised personnel agency, Elevate Offshore is dedicated to assembling a team comprising individuals with hands-on field experience, enhancing and differentiating the way we work compared to conventional recruitment efforts. Herein lies the significance of Alex’s first-hand expertise, which is instrumental in mitigating the challenges clients face when seeking experienced geotechnical professionals for their projects. Alex emphasises, “To excel as a Geotechnical Engineer in the offshore industry, effective one-to-one communication is paramount. Elevate Offshore ensures clients access these vital skills by investing in personalised interactions and cultivating a team culture that values transparent communication. Our approach to vetting geotechnical candidates is centred on individual meetings and collaborative conference calls. This meticulous selection process guarantees that only the most proficient and seasoned professionals become part of our team.”
To stay abreast of the latest industry standards, regulatory developments, and best practices, Alex participates in conferences hosted by renowned organisations such as the Society for Underwater Technology (SUT) and the Offshore Site Investigation and Geotechnics (OSIG). These gatherings serve as essential platforms for networking, knowledge exchange, and maintaining a competitive edge in a field characterised by rapid evolution.
A glance into the future
“As offshore projects grow in scale and complexity, dealing with various seabed conditions becomes an ongoing challenge. Ground conditions inherently carry risks that can often lead to project delays and increased costs when not managed effectively throughout the supply chain,’ Alex explains. To mitigate these challenges, Alex emphasises the importance of implementing correct scheduling, rigorous quality control and quality assurance processes at each project stage, and open contracts that account for all likely situations that can arise during a project.
In light of the difficulty in finding experienced geotechnical personnel capable of tackling these challenges, Alex underscores the significance of recruiting individuals who are not only highly skilled but also adaptable, ready to embrace challenges, and committed to continuous self-training and personal development.
In looking ahead to Elevate Offshore’s future, Managing Director Andrew Blears articulates the company’s strategic vision: ‘As we move forward, we are enthusiastic about expanding our offshore personnel services across various sectors, always with our collective expertise working behind the scenes to ensure the success of every endeavour.”