Repositionable Dredge Monitoring Buoys assist Baltic Pipe Project
Leading international marine systems manufacturers Ocean Scientific International Limited (OSIL) have provided a number of lightweight repositionable environmental monitoring buoys to DHI A/S for the Baltic Pipe Project.
Dredging activities are vital to the successful outcome of the project, and OSIL have produced a total of 17 of their 0.6m buoys for DHI A/S, a number of which have been in continual use monitoring the turbidity levels and other environmental conditions around the active dredging sites.
The buoys are very lightweight and easy to deploy, and on this project have been repositioned to follow the dredger movements and debris plume on an almost daily basis. The relocations were undertaken by minimal crew on board the dredger support tug, using a grapnel to catch the buoys and the vessel’s handling system to lift the anchor weight and tow the buoy to its new position. DHI A/S reported that the crew were very happy with this arrangement.
These buoys join a large number of existing OSIL dredge monitoring networks, will well in excess of 500 data buoy systems now installed worldwide. The OSIL buoys have proved highly successful due to their robust nature and small/manoeuvrable size.
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
Valeport launches next generation of sensors for subsea survey and ROV/AUV operations
Valeport, a leading manufacturer of oceanographic and hydrographic instrumentation has further expanded its portfolio’s capability with the launch of two new sensors for ROVs/AUVs and subsea survey.
Valeport has launched the new miniIPS2 and new uvSVX which both offer operationally specific interchangeable pressure transducers that deliver enhanced accuracy for specific depth ranges. These field-swappable sensor heads make it easy for users to select the correct pressure range for their work and offer increased accuracy at any depth, alongside streamlining benefits to users who previously required different instruments for shallow and deep water.
The smart miniIPS2 underwater pressure sensor with accuracy to 0.01%, offers a cost-effective solution to vehicle pilots who require highly accurate depth information in real time. Key to the design is the unique interchangeable pressure module that allows users to change pressure transducers for maximising operational specific depth requirements. This innovative pressure module, with integral calibration, can be easily changed in a couple of minutes without opening the instrument and is available in 10, 20, 30, 50, 100, 200, 300, 400 and 600bar variants.
The pressure sensor module fitted to the miniIPS is a temperature compensated piezo-resistive sensor which delivers the performance previously only available from resonant quartz sensor at a more cost-effective price. It also brings the added advantages of long-term stability, allowing longer intervals between calibration, and a smaller and more robust construction; complex and vulnerable arrangements of diaphragms and oil filled capillaries and reservoirs are therefore no longer necessary. The miniIPS2 is compatible with Valeport’s MIDAS BathyPack and BathyLog software, allowing the depth data to be continually updated for Density variations in the water column.
Designed for underwater vehicles where space is at a premium, the compact uvSVX features Valeport’s Time of Flight technology and delivers salinity, conductivity and density data, along with SVP as standard. High accuracy data is assured with the addition of Valeport’s unique interchangeable pressure module that allows users to maximise operational specific depth requirements. This advanced pressure module, with integral calibration, is quickly and easily changed whilst in the field, with no tools required and without opening the instrument. Delivering 0.01% accuracy, the interchangeable pressure transducer is available in 10, 20,30, 50, 100, 200, 300, 400 and 600bar variants.
Using the latest developments in digital sensor technology the new uvSVX is lightweight and housed in a titanium with a depth rating of 6000m and delivers a reliably accurate performance under all conditions.
For more than fifty years Valeport has been committed to pushing the boundaries of marine instrumentation to deliver ultimate accuracy, as Guy Frankland head of marketing commented: “The new interchangeable pressure modules on both these instruments are a unique combination of exceptional reliability and precision accuracy with an enhanced and efficient user experience and makes them ideally suited to innovative underwater vehicles.”
The new miniIPS2 and uvSVX are now available to order. For more information contact: [email protected] www.valeport.co.uk
Royal Canadian Navy embarks with OFG on the demonstration of a mobile range with AUVs for warship signature management
OFG will deploy its Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) non-contact integrated Cathodic Protection (iCP) system and Self-Compensating Magnetometer (SCM) systems for the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) for a demonstration of a mobile magnetic signature range.
Ocean Floor Geophysics Inc. (OFG) is pleased to announce it has been awarded a contract to test SCMs and its Underwater Electric Potential (UEP) system on an AUV to measure and model the magnetic and electric signatures of a non-combatant training vessel provided by the RCN. These systems are already deployed commercially by OFG as part of its AUV non-contact integrated Cathodic Protection (iCP) inspection system for subsea pipeline and structure inspection by AUV.
The results of the tests will be used to evaluate several scenarios to complement and extend current vessel signature measurement capabilities. Some scenarios contemplated by OFG include taking the range to the ship instead of the ship to the range, ranging for deployed unit to avoid costly detours and delays, and “quick looks” for suspected faults in degaussing systems, and the potential for use as part of an automated ship signature management system.
The data will be collected by OFG sensors integrated with the SOLUS-LR AUV, a long range AUV capable of long-range port to port missions, built by Cellula Robotics Ltd (CRL). In addition to sensor integration, CRL will provide engineering services, a remote operations piloting control centre, and their AUV support vessel Ranger for the field trials. The contract was awarded by Innovative Solutions Canada (ISC) and will be executed under the supervision of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN).
Matthew Kowalczyk CEO of OFG stated “Adapting our industry proven SCM and iCP systems from AUV non-contact cathodic protection pipeline inspection to a warship signature management program is a great example of OFG’s expertise in marine magnetic and electric field measurement systems. The commitment of the Royal Canadian Navy to test the AUV SCMs in this application is a concrete example of Canada’s defence policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged through their support of innovative Canadian people and companies.”
For more information on OFG visit www.oceanfloorgeophysics.com
Seiche Ltd is recruiting for a Senior Marine Acoustician
Seiche Ltd is recruiting for a Senior Marine Acoustician to join the team. Seiche provides market-leading monitoring, mitigation and measurement technologies and environmental service solutions to clients across the world in the offshore renewables, offshore oil and gas, marine construction, government and academic sectors. As underwater acoustic experts, we enable clients to comply with environmental regulations to protect marine life from the effects of sound in water.
The Senior Marine Acoustician will lead the Seiche Acoustics and Analysis team by providing experience and commercial oversight. The purpose of this role is to support the growth of the noise and marine acoustics portfolio at Seiche and to augment the existing skills base of the current Acoustics and Analysis team.
Key accountabilities for this role:
- Provide key input into our commercial and regulatory work, from initial survey design, through to data analysis and delivery of reports as well as presentation and publication
- Further develop analytical methods to determine implications of noise-related disturbance, contribute to impact assessments, and publish the results of your research in peer-reviewed journals and at conferences
- You will work closely with the full Seiche team as well as lead and mentor the current Acoustics and Analysis team
- To contribute to the improvement of PAM data quality and PAM developments
- As an experienced, proactive scientist with an enthusiasm for applied research, you will be encouraged to seek new business opportunities in the UK and abroad
- Some in-field data collection will also be expected
Criteria used for selecting and shortlisting candidates:
Skills
- Thorough grounding in the fundamentals of physics, underwater sound propagation, sound measurement and data manipulation
- Extensive experience of commercial report writing to clients
- Up-to-date knowledge of published papers and wide perspective on noise measurement regulatory requirements
- Active contributor to international marine acoustics community
- Scientific programming
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Knowledge of Python, Matlab, R, SQL, Microsoft Office; experience with GIS would be helpful but not essential
- Ability to work pro-actively and manage multiple priorities to achieve results against conflicting deadlines
- Excellent attention to detail
- Highly organised and able to manage own time and workload efficiently
- Pro-active and self-motivated
- Good analytical and problem-solving skills
Experience
- Senior scientist with minimum of 10 years’ experience
- Similar role (desirable)
- Excellent industry connections and network
- Thought leader (desirable)
Education & Certification
- PhD (or equivalent) in marine acoustics or closely related field
For more information on this role, please go to: www.seiche.com/careers
Shortlisted companies announced for Ocean Startup Challenge
After 158 applications flooded in for the Ocean Startup Challenge, the industry reviewers have shortlisted 31 companies to vie for 10 prizes of $25,000 and in-kind support from partners.
“Applicants accepted our challenge by proposing creative solutions to solve industry hurdles, with more than a third of the shortlisted companies having ocean technologies in the earliest stages of development,” said Don Grant, Executive Director, Ocean Startup Project. “Another 19 shortlisted companies applied with working prototypes.”
The shortlisted solutions involve environmental monitoring, reducing marine mammal entanglement in fishing gear, artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles, technologies to reduce corrosion and biofouling, networks of sensors and analysis tools, sustainable bait alternatives, vision systems, underwater communications and IoT networks, value-added by-products, fish health, and much more.
Nearly two-thirds of shortlisted companies proposed ways to overcome challenges in fisheries and aquaculture. Many of them touched on other challenge areas too, including a fifth of the applicants bringing forward solutions to address healthier oceans, more sustainable transport, and enabling technologies. Additionally, several proposals included solutions to topics in the bioscience and energy challenge areas.
All the shortlisted companies are encouraged to attend invitation-only, virtual bootcamps and will stand to benefit from guidance and support from partnering organizations in the Atlantic Canadian ecosystem. The training is designed to arm the innovators and entrepreneurs with the skills to get their solutions to the next stage and prepare for pitch sessions to the final judges.
“We were pleased by the breadth of applications, and the overall response from coast to coast to coast within Canada, and from around the world,” added Grant. “The quality and influx of applications reinforce the momentum and opportunities in this country’s ocean sector.”
For a short description of each company’s technology and where they are located, visit www.oceanstartupchallenge.ca/shortlist. The shortlisted companies are:
- 3F Waste Recovery (Main Brook, NL)
- Acoustic Bait Technologies (Antigonish, NS)
- Aquafort (St. John's, NL)
- Blue Lion Labs (Waterloo, ON)
- Copsys Industries Inc. (Halifax, NS)
- Dartmouth Ocean Technologies (Dartmouth, NS)
- Ghost Fishing Busters (Porters Lake, NS)
- Glas Ocean Electric (Halifax, NS)
- Grand River Robotics (Waterloo, ON)
- Greenoil Solutions (Frasers Mountain, NS)
- Harmony Desal (Cambridge, MA)
- HydroNet (Menlo Park, CA)
- Impactful Health Research and Development Inc. (Montréal, QC)
- In Nature Robotics (Hanwell, NB)
- Kavacha (Canoe Cove, PE)
- Marecomms Inc. (Halifax, NS)
- Marimetrics Technologies Inc. (Dartmouth, NS)
- Orcinus Technologies (St. John's, NL)
- Pelagis Data Solutions (Point Edward, NS)
- Planetary Hydrogen Inc. (Gatineau, QC)
- Polyamyna Nanotech (St. John's, NL)
- Prosaris Solutions (Hammonds Plains, NS)
- qualiTEAS (St. John's, NL)
- SeaChange Biochemistry Inc. (Clark's Harbour, NS)
- SeaHawk Robotics (Vancouver, BC)
- Sedna Technologies (Dartmouth, NS)
- Sentry: Water Monitoring and Control (Charlottetown, PE)
- Subait Inc. (Dartmouth, NS)
- Tracker Inventory Systems (Sydney, NS)
- Virgil Group LLC (Washington, D.C.)
- WeavAir (Toronto, ON)
About the Ocean Startup Challenge
The Ocean Startup Challenge is a competition designed to support innovators who are developing technologies that can be applied to large ocean challenges. The Challenge is led by the Ocean Startup Project, the first Innovation Ecosystem Project announced by Canada's Ocean Supercluster. The Ocean Startup Project is a pan-Atlantic collaboration to create and grow high-quality ocean technology companies and attract more ventures to the region's ecosystem. Collaborators include: Creative Destruction Lab (CDL) - Atlantic, Genesis, Innovacorp, New Brunswick Innovation Foundation, PEI BioAlliance, and Springboard Atlantic.
In-kind supporters of the Ocean Startup Challenge include BDO Canada, Enginuity, IGNITE, McInnes Cooper, Propel, and Saint Mary's University Entrepreneurship Centre. For more information about the Ocean Startup Challenge, visit oceanstartupchallenge.ca.