Press Release

Optimize Submersible ROV Operations with Mission Planning

Deep Trekker is proud to launch our new mission planning feature! The first iteration of our mission planning update gives ROV users the ability to plot and save waypoints on their handheld controller.

If you have a REVOLUTION or PIVOT ROV with USBL you can upgrade your software to start planning your missions.

Mission planning is an incredibly important feature for ROV pilots. In addition to being a crucial step towards autonomy, mission planning makes vehicle navigation convenient and straightforward.

Deep Trekker’s mission planning software provides users with a useful tool to enhance their navigation and operation. In addition to plotting waypoints on the handheld controller map, users can see the path between points.

Furthermore, the use of mission planning allows pilots to visualize the size of their inspection site. With the entire mission mapped out on their screen, users can ensure thorough inspections with an accurate planning tool.

Finally, operators can clearly understand the position of their ROV within the inspection site by utilizing their on-screen waypoint map. Clear and precise graphics illustrate the ROV throughout the site, enhancing the pilot’s ability to navigate in a straightforward manner.

Consisting of latitudinal and longitudinal points, waypoints provide pilots with crucial mission planning information.

Modified with the joystick cursor control, users can conveniently interact with their waypoints in a variety of ways right from their handheld controller;

• Waypoint naming
• Waypoint editing
• Waypoint deleting

The ease in which operators can interact with their waypoints allows for quick organization and straightforward use.

In addition to the information provided on the handheld controller during use, pilots can then save their missions to view at a later date, making analysis and review convenient. In review users can conduct several useful tasks;

• View map (small view and expanded view)
• View mission path
• Open and modify existing csv files

Deep Trekker’s first mission planning release is a significant component of future fully autonomous missions.

by Dan Levett

EdgeTech Introduces New Nadir Gap-Fill Sonar for the 2205 AUV, ROV and USV Based Sonar Solutions

EdgeTech, the leader in high resolution sonar imaging systems and underwater technology, has recently introduced an innovative and new method to provide nadir gap coverage on the EdgeTech 2205 sonar platforms. Complementing this new technology is SonarWiz from Chesapeake Technology, providing a software solution to support processing and mosaicking the new gap fill solution.

The 2205 system with gap-fill technology was designed specifically for hosted platforms operating in shallow water or within close proximity to the bottom.  The sonar is ideal for Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USV) and Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV/ AUV).  The new 2205 system is available in a number of dual and tri-frequency configurations and the gap fill technology is available in a number of frequency options.  The most popular frequency set, the 850kHz and 1600kHz dual frequency combination, is ideal for high resolution side scan sonar surveys where the nadir gap can now be filled with data while the vehicle performs single pass survey operations.

Unique to EdgeTech’s gap-fill solution is the ability to “see” the nadir gap from both the left and right sides, providing shadows from either direction, as well as in a three-dimensional aspect in the nadir gap.  Gap fill shadows are perpendicular to the vehicle’s path and consistent with traditional side scan methods enabling easy interpretation of data.  Additionally, gap fill data in the 2205 system is coincident with the side scan data and is therefore geospatially the same, unlike other solutions that look forward and across the vehicle path making target positions between the side scan and gap fill data less robust.  The area directly below the vehicle, until now often lacking in coverage, can now be viewed with the gap data mosaicked right into the main sidescan sonar display using SonarWiz.   Harold Orlinsky, General Manager of Chesapeake, said “this data combination removes the digital seam seen at the sidescan nadir. SonarWiz makes a GeoTIFF image of the seafloor with the data set.”

The EdgeTech 2205 is a compact, extremely flexible and configurable sonar system for integration on 3rd party underwater and surface vehicles.  This modular unit can be configured, based on the customers’ application, to collect side scan sonar imagery, sub-bottom profiles and bathymetric data, singly or in concert with one another.  The system is available either as packaged 2205 electronics enclosed in a pressure vessel, or alternatively the core electronics can be provided as boards mounted onto a chassis so the customer can integrate the system into their vehicle’s dry electronics area.   Two transducer arrays, one on each side of the vehicle, provide side scan sonar, gap-fill and bathymetry.  Optional sub-bottom profiler is available as well.  The system can operate independent of the hosted platform by simply storing the data, or it can be configured to autonomously interoperate with the vehicle during its mission.

For more information please visit: www.edgetech.com (and www.chesapeaketech.com)

by Dan Levett

IFHS Introduces HPAS, the first Accreditation Scheme with an International Footprint

The International Federation of Hydrographic Societies (IFHS) have developed the Hydrographic Professional Accreditation Scheme (HPAS) to provide international recognition to hydrographic professionals in demonstrating their competency, educational background and career development.

The HPAS initiative has reached an important milestone by completing its Pilot Phase which was initiated in March. This phase, run by a panel of international experts, aimed to benchmark the HPAS procedures and processes. Over forty hydrographic professionals volunteered to be the first professionals assessed under the HPAS framework. Of these, eighteen were selected for the Pilot Phase from across the countries and regions represented by the IFHS Member Societies: Belgium, France and the francophone countries, Germany, The Netherlands, South Africa and the United Kingdom. The HPAS Panel of Experts awarded HPAS accreditation to fifteen of these candidates.

The IFHS would like to publicly acknowledge the following, without whom HPAS would not have been made possible and whose continued support is invaluable:

The HPAS Working Group who devised and developed the scheme and wrote the documentation and processes.

The HPAS Assessment Panel; a college of international recognised professionals drawn from all IFHS member societies, who assess the applications of the HPAS candidates. These volunteers have given up their time to review all the applications submitted and, where necessary, interview candidates to ensure they meet the assessment criteria.

The HPAS Steering Committee; representatives from all the IFHS member societies. The HPAS Steering Committee is responsible for the oversight and stewardship of HPAS under the aegis of the IFHS Executive Committee.

The first formal round of HPAS applications opens on 6th September 2021 until 17th October 2021. For further information about HPAS framework and application process, visit the HPAS webpage on https://hydrography.earth/hpas/ or email us at [email protected].

END

About IFHS

The International Federation of Hydrographic Societies (IFHS) is a unique partnership of learned national and regional hydrographic societies that, through its worldwide membership, is able to address every specialism within the hydrographic profession and related disciplines, at all levels of experience and expertise.

The Federation is recognised throughout the world for promoting the development of hydrography and hydrographic expertise such providing opportunities for the exchange of ideas and practices within the World Hydrographic Community and, to an extent, a wider audience.

by Georgia Smith

OceanTools to develop new line of Robotic products

OceanTools, based in Aberdeen, UK, global leaders in subsea engineering, announce the expansion of their product portfolio with the introduction of newly developed subsea robotic products following a significant period of growth.

Predominantly recognised for their trusted advanced Leak & Dye Detection Systems, Subsea Pressure Housings and Subsea cameras, OceanTools are now applying their engineering expertise to expand their offerings to include Hydraulics & Robotics. The investment in their new product line was driven by high levels of demand from their clients for reliable robotic technology and follows a substantial period of growth for the subsea manufacturer.

OceanTools launch the first product in their line of Robotic developments, introducing the new OM-1 single function electric manipulator arm to the subsea market. The OM-1 is a compact and cost-effective single function manipulator designed for use on smaller ROVs. The grabber may be used for a range of applications including recovering ordnance from the seafloor or for stabilising the ROV by holding onto an object. The jaw head is detachable, allowing for other attachments to be fitted by the operator including rope cutters, sampling bottles and a magnetic clamp.

Kevin Parker, Managing Director, OceanTools, said “We have plans to develop a wide range of subsea robotic products to serve our clients worldwide. Our launch customer is a leading manufacturer of smaller electric vehicles who approached us to design a variant of the OM-1 for their vehicles, and we were delighted to utilise the extensive experience of our engineering team to support them on this project. Longer term our intention is to offer multi-function electric arms as well as hydraulic arms for larger ROVs.

We would also like to thank our long-term partners Seatronics, for showcasing our new OM-1 manipulator fitted on to their VALOR observation ROV for our product launch”.

For further information on OceanTools extensive underwater product range, visit www.oceantools.co.uk or email [email protected].

- END -

For more information contact:
Kevin Parker
Managing Director
E: [email protected]
T: +44 1224 709606

About OceanTools
OceanTools is a world leading subsea engineering company specialising in the design and manufacture of equipment for the professional offshore and underwater markets. Established in 1997 and headquartered in Aberdeen, OceanTools have designed and developed an extensive product portfolio. Deployed in harsh environments, applications include offshore survey, subsea drilling and ROV operations. To find out more, visit www.oceantools.co.uk

by Georgia Smith

New Teledyne Geospatial combines world-leading expertise of CARIS & Optech to deliver comprehensive solutions for land and sea

Vaughan, Ontario, CANADA – September 14, 2021 – Teledyne announces the launch of a geospatial group with the unification of its Optech and CARIS businesses. The new Teledyne Geospatial group will offer holistic solutions to seamlessly map land and sea through the integration of industry-leading lidar sensors combined with world-renowned software workflows.

Teledyne Optech has been a world leader in the design, development and manufacture of advanced lidar instruments for more than 45 years. And for over four decades, Teledyne CARIS has developed market-dominating software for the marine GIS community.

This collaboration provides customers with a competitive edge in mapping and delivering data products inside of one complete workflow. Ease of collection and processing, through to final product, is enhanced with efficiency-driving AI algorithms and real time quality control. Ongoing collaborations with other Teledyne businesses extends the geospatial capabilities even further.

The CZMIL SuperNova, the first product from Teledyne Geospatial, integrates Optech’s bathymetric lidar with CARIS’ comprehensive processing software providing the highest performing bathymetric lidar system in the world.

Photo caption: CZMIL SuperNova first solution from the newly formed Geospatial group

Andy Hoggarth, Vice President, Sales and Marketing at Teledyne Geospatial explains: “Businesses today are increasingly expected to offer a more comprehensive suite of services. Bringing Optech and CARIS together allows us to leverage the world-leading expertise of both companies, ensuring customers can fully realize the competitive advantages provided by our ability to deliver holistic solutions for land and sea.”

Join us at Intergeo, September 21-23 in Hannover, Germany, at Hall 020 booth C16.

Teledyne Geospatial unifies the hardware and software expertise of two unique companies in the geospatial arena. The new group provides customers with innovative integrated solutions. Offerings will include turnkey systems, lidar and sonar integrated workflows and a range of systems and solutions that support holistic, precision data collection.

Notes to Editors:
For media enquiries, please contact:
Jennifer Parham
[email protected]

by Georgia Smith

Making oceanographic data of extraordinary quality accessible to a wider audience

Alseamar, a producer of glider UUVs, has been able to produce highly accurate data plots of current profiles from large swathes of the water column. A combination of tailor-made algorithms, underwater gliders and a high-performing ADCP from Nortek has helped break new ground for the oceanographic community, making high-quality data more accessible for a multitude of stakeholders.

Acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCPs) have revolutionized our ability to record ocean current movements. But they can only measure what they can “see”, and that is largely determined by what they are attached to, which may be a surface buoy or a frame on the seabed.

That’s perfect for many uses, but if you are seeking to find out about the movements of currents across a large swathe of ocean, then moving ADCPs on frames from location to location is a time-consuming business and doesn’t provide a complete picture of the currents in the whole area. Mounting an ADCP on a moving surface vessel is a good option for many, but some users are put off by the work and cost involved with hiring and crewing a vessel.

The Nortek ADCP’s small form and low profile enabled Alseamar to fit it to the SeaExplorer with little impact on the glider’s hydrodynamic properties. Photo: Alseamar.

An efficient and cost-effective way to profile a large volume of water

However, rapid advances in underwater glider technology have provided an exciting new alternative. Slimline battery-powered gliders are capable of cruising through the oceans for months at a time, carrying a multitude of instruments measuring many facets of the underwater world close up.

Typically, gliders move in a sawtooth, or wave-like, movement between the top of the water column and depths of around 1000 m. So, if you can get accurate measurements from an ADCP fixed to a glider, you have an efficient and cost-effective way to profile a huge volume of water in a relatively short period of time.

That possibility prompted researchers at French marine tech company Alseamar to investigate how an ADCP could be made to work with their SeaExplorer glider. The company produces high-tech marine and submarine equipment, such as gliders (or UUVs – underwater unmanned vehicles) with very long mission endurance.

The results of Alseamar’s innovative development are of benefit for the greater ocean science community. The detailed analysis of current movements made possible by the Nortek ADCP, combined with data from the glider’s other instruments, gives users access to highly accurate data on how our oceans work.

“Glider missions contribute to the international efforts of the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS),” says Orens de Fommervault, oceanographer at Alseamar.

The UNESCO-led GOOS program coordinates observations in the ocean globally, focusing on three critical themes: climate, operational services and marine ecosystem health.

Making water velocity measurements with glider-mounted ADCPs more accessible

Nortek’s 1 MHz current profiler was an attractive option for Alseamar due to a multitude of reasons.

“The Nortek ADCP design is really ideal for a profiling platform like ours. You could almost say it was dedicated to our application,” says Orens de Fommervault, who is the oceanographer at Alseamar leading the ADCP glider integration project.

This project truly breaks new ground in the oceanographic research industry. Some select academic institutions are also able to estimate water currents from a glider, but the real step forward is that this is now available as a service from a private company. Alseamar is currently the only known private company able to estimate water currents from a glider and to provide this service to other companies, organizations and researchers.

“Glider-mounted ADCPs offer the ability to collect high-resolution, dense-data water velocity measurements at an unprecedented spatio-temporal scale resolution without the constant use and expense of support vessels,” de Fommervault points out.

Accurate analysis of currents across tens of kilometers of ocean is now possible due to Alseamar’s successful integration of the Nortek ADCP into its SeaExplorer glider. This provides unprecedented opportunities for measuring full ocean current profiles, whether the vehicle is ascending or descending.

The relatively small size and low power consumption of Nortek’s ADCP are also plus points when you are seeking to pack as much instrumentation on to a glider as possible and get the most out of its on-board battery.

The ADCP-equipped glider has proved its accuracy in a number of different environments.

Current profiles obtained by the ADCP on the SeaExplorer glider across 60 km in the Mediterranean Sea off southern France correlate with temperature, salinity and chlorophyll measurements taken by the glider at the same time. The ADCP was also able to measure tidal currents in considerable detail through the depth profile in the Atlantic off northwest France.

Current profiles acquired by a SeaExplorer glider equipped with a Nortek ADCP in the northwest Mediterranean, crossing a well-known geostrophic current. The left figures represent depth-resolved water currents acquired along the glider transect (the gray line on the right figure). The color indicates the velocity of the currents.

Improving access to ADCP glider data in real time

But configuring the ADCP-equipped underwater glider to gather vast amounts of usable oceanographic data is not the end of the story.

“One big remaining challenge is to get access to as much of that data as possible in real time – something that is vital for our customers in the oil and gas industry, for example,” Orens de Fommervault says.

Alseamar has made considerable progress with this already, and is currently working to improve real-time data interpretation still further, de Fommervault says.

Tidal current in the Atlantic off Brittany, northwest France, over a 12-hour period, measured by the Alseamar SeaExplorer glider equipped with the Nortek ADCP glider current profiler. Source: This data was acquired in the framework of the MELANGE project (ASTRID MATURATION) in collaboration with the SHOM and the CNRS (Perpignan University).

Contact for further information and interviews:

Torbjørn Goa, Communication Manager, Nortek AS
[email protected]
+47 412 02 381

by Georgia Smith

SEA-KIT wins funding to demonstrate zero emission hydrogen fuel cell technology for USVs

Essex, United Kingdom, 15 September 2021: SEA-KIT International, leading designer and builder of Uncrewed Surface Vessels (USVs), has won funding to install an innovative PCB-based hydrogen fuel cell, engineered by project partner Bramble Energy, on its 12m USV ‘Maxlimer’ and demonstrate zero emission maritime operations.

SEA-KIT secured the grant through the recent Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC) – Strand 2. The project, funded by the Department for Transport (DfT) working with InnovateUK, will showcase a successful diesel to hydrogen conversion of SEA-KIT’s proven USV design and demonstrate a route to fulfilling the UK’s Clean Maritime Plan Strategy commitment of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from shipping by at least 50% by 2050.

“SEA-KIT USVs have a dual diesel-electric hybrid drive, with propulsion coming from an electric motor powered by battery banks that are charged by in-situ diesel generators,” said Ben Simpson, SEA-KIT CEO. “This project will replace one of the diesel generators with new hydrogen fuel cell technology from Bramble Energy and demonstrate an offshore operation with zero carbon emissions.”

West Sussex-based Bramble Energy, a disruptor in the clean tech space, will design and manufacture a marinized, customised version of its printed circuit board fuel cell (PCBFC). The use of PCBs, as opposed to metallic or graphite end plates, makes the technology more suited to rugged, marine environments. Bramble Energy’s PCBFC system will sit inside an enclosure within the USV to prevent sea water ingress and corrosion.

Dr Vidal Bharath, COO of Bramble Energy said: “Bramble Energy is committed to powering a net zero economy. This project provides the perfect opportunity to demonstrate our decarbonising technology in a real world, challenging environment across a new industry with an exciting commercial partner.”

SEA-KIT will retrofit its demonstration vessel, USV ‘Maxlimer’, with the hydrogen fuel system. Data gathered from bench testing and sea trials will be utilised for the design and build of similar USVs, as well as for larger uncrewed vessel builds in the near future.

USVs are already being deployed for a range of commercial tasks, including geophysical survey, offshore inspections, surveillance and coastal asset monitoring. This collaboration between SEA-KIT and Bramble Energy aims to enable the emergence of hydrogen fuel systems as another viable option for the fast-growing USV market.

Innovate UK, the UK’s innovation agency, drives productivity and economic growth by supporting businesses to develop and realise the potential of new ideas. The CMDC projects represent the first major investment from DfT specifically aimed to drive innovation within the maritime industry.

Simon Edmonds, Deputy Executive Chair and Chief Business Officer for Innovate UK, said: “As the UK prepares to host COP26 in the maritime city of Glasgow, it is great that we can announce funding for these fantastic projects in the maritime sector that will help the UK meet its net zero goals. From this competition we saw a very high level of demand, we have seen the very best of British ideas from all over the country. It is clear that not only does the UK have a great maritime history, but also a bright and greener future too.”

The application of a hydrogen fuel source to a USV will be a world first, putting the UK firmly in the lead on zero emissions uncrewed technology for sustainable maritime growth.

***ENDS***

Notes to editors:

About SEA-KIT International – www.sea-kit.com

SEA-KIT International is a British SME providing hi-tech, Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV) solutions to the maritime and research industries for deployment in harsh offshore environments. SEA-KIT aims to be the UK’s leading USV designer and developer, focused on over-the-horizon deployment of systems and sensors for a range of applications, including maritime logistics, environmental management, security and surveillance, offshore asset monitoring, marine inspection and efficient survey of the ocean floor. Through ongoing collaboration with industry partners, SEA-KIT is sharply focused on driving down the cost of geo-data collection and reducing the sector’s carbon emissions.

Follow SEA-KIT International: LinkedIn | Twitter

Media contact: Amanda Çetin | Tel +44 (0)7518 049251 | Email [email protected]

About Bramble Energy - www.brambleenergy.com

Bramble Energy is powering a Net Zero world - today - and is proving to be a real game changer in solving key challenges in the production of hydrogen fuel cells including: lead times, up-front investment, manufacturing cost and scalability.

Founded in 2016 by Dr. Tom Mason, in the research labs at Imperial College of London and University College of London, Bramble Energy through revolutionary fuel cell design and manufacturing techniques, has developed the unique printed circuit board (PCB) fuel cell – the PCBFC™. A patent protected fuel cell that can be manufactured in almost all printed circuit board (PCB) factories worldwide.

Bramble Energy is fast becoming the leading hydrogen fuel cell provider for a cleaner and more sustainable world.

Home for Bramble Energy is a state-of-the-art facility in Gatwick, UK, where they have launched their portable power product range and are developing their high-power density, liquid-cooled fuel cell systems under the same scalable low-cost technology platform.

Media contact: Amanda Bunn | Tel +44 (0)7595 768277 | Email [email protected]

SEA-KIT’s USV ‘Maxlimer’ on a recent capability demonstration – credit SEA-KIT International

Bramble Energy Liquid Cooled Fuel Cell Stack – credit Bramble Energy

by Georgia Smith

OceanWise awarded the UK National Tide Gauge Contract

The prestigious 'National Tide Gauge Network' (NTGN) contract from the Environment Agency (EA), who own and operate 42 'Class A' tide gauges on behalf of the UK Coastal Flood Forecasting (UKCFF), has been awarded to Hampshire based OceanWise Ltd who alongside RS Divers, will deliver this multi-year contract.

As Dr Mike Osborne, OceanWise's Managing Director explains, "We are delighted to have been given the responsibility of maintaining the NTGN on behalf of the nation. We already support and maintain numerous tide gauges, as well as weather stations, around the UK for our port customers, so this contract is a natural extension of our work. We are particularly looking forward to working with the EA and NOC to upgrade the network, using our expertise and experience in sensor, and data acquisition and management technologies, whilst at the same maintaining and enhancing the legacy 'bubbler' based systems to improve the reliability and quality of the data overall".

The purpose of the (NTGN) is to observe sea level throughout the UK in near real-time, as input to monitoring and forecasting coastal surge, and to provide a long-term and strategic record for climatological and coastal engineering studies. The network currently consists of 21 sites in England, 10 in Scotland, 7 in Wales, 2 in Northern Ireland, 1 in Jersey and 1 in the Isle of Man.

The data provided by the network of guages is also used by academics and researchers for a variety of other scientific purposes. Several of the gauges are part of the Global Sea Level Observing System (GLOSS) and are of international and historical significance, with some datasets dating back to the 18th century.

For more details on the NTGN programme and other OceanWise projects please visit their website at www.oceanwise.eu.

Image: An OceanWise site engineer servicing a tide gauge at a UK Port
Image: Map showing the NTGN sites around the UK

by Georgia Smith