tidingsOnline

Issue 102 - 6th March 2008

All the latest news from the marine industry...

COST-EFFECTIVE MONITORING PLATFORM FROM OSIL AT Oi08

OSIL (Ocean Scientific International Ltd.) will be launching their new range of robust and adaptable Data Buoys at Oceanology International 2008. They will be exhibiting the small and cost-effective Shearwater buoy on their stand 602, which illustrates the compact and light-weight design of the buoys. OSIL’s Data Buoys provide the ideal monitoring platform for a wide assortment of instrumentation and their highly stable design makes them suitable for a variety of short and long term applications including ocean, river, coastal and dredge monitoring. They are designed to be completely adaptable to any applications’ needs, and can withstand the harshest of conditions thanks to their robust construction.

The light-weight buoys are available in four different sizes, ranging from a diameter of 1.2 m with a buoyancy of 200 kg, up to 3 m in diameter with 9000kg of buoyancy. They are manufactured using rotationally moulded polyethylene hulls around a galvanised steel or welded polyethylene central structure, and have a customised 316 stainless steel frame attached to the top for mounting instrumentation on. The modular design of the buoys makes them simple to transport and the replacement of equipment effortless, and thanks to the multiple parts of the buoy, sinking is virtually impossible.

The flexible mounting options of OSIL’s Data Buoys allow an array of instrumentation to be attached to them, including multiparameter sondes, current meters and meteorological instruments. The main structure of the buoys has a large hole through the centre which allows the passage of instrumentation and cables from the tower down to the water. This channel also provides protection to instrumentation positioned within it, from damage during deployment and transportation.

OSIL’s Data Buoys truly are the most cost-effective solution to any monitoring needs thanks to their flexibility and ease of use and transport. OSIL specialise in providing cutting edge solutions for marine and environmental problems and their new buoy range is a further example of how they cater to their customers needs and ensure that they provide each application with the most appropriate instrumentation at the highest standard possible.

Along with the Shearwater Data Buoy, OSIL will also be exhibiting their new Midi Corer on their stand at Oi08. The Midi Corer is part of OSIL’s range of Bowers and Connelly Multiple Corers, which have undergone significant changes in manufacture to ensure the best possible sediment cores are obtained. The Multiple Corers still remain the only recognised method of collecting a truly undisturbed sediment sample from the seabed and they can sample up to 12 cores at up to full ocean depth in a single deployment and are easy to operate and deploy.

For further information please visit: www.osil.co.uk

Over the past thirty years operational oceanography has come of age. The merging of scientific understanding of the oceans with the technologies and tools for routinely making, disseminating and interpreting ocean observations and measurements has become a reality, making possible the delivery of information critical to safety, commerce and environmental protection. To serve this truly multidisciplinary endeavour, the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST) has launched the Journal of Operational Oceanography, the new international peer reviewed journal for the oceanography community. Copies of the launch issue are available free of charge at the IMarEST stand 1413 at Oceanology International.

“Oceanography brings together the sciences of physics, chemistry, biology and geology,” explains the editor of the new journal, Professor Ralph Rayner FIMarEST, CMarSci of the London School of Economics. “Add to this scientific mix technological disciplines such as sensor, satellite, communications and information technology as well as systems integration, and the tools of numerical simulation and you have the vast array of disciplines and skills that operational oceanography must successfully integrate.”

The Journal of Operational Oceanography, which will be published twice a year, both in print and online, is a collection of international research papers and technical reports, the launch issue contains some of the papers being delivered at Oceanology International 2008. The Journal is designed to address the role of oceanography in contributing to fields such as ocean and climate forecasting, numerical weather prediction and mitigating natural hazards, and is aimed at a wide range of end users. It also incorporates papers that address the requirements of the Global Ocean and Climate Observing Systems (GOOS and GCOS) and of Global Monitoring for Environmental Security (GMES) and the Global Earth Observing System of Systems (GEOSS).

“Set in the context of a capacity for observing and forecasting the environment of the planet as a whole, operational oceanographic systems provide a fundamental input to improved weather forecasting and climate projection making them of critical importance to beneficiaries far removed from the coast or from operations at sea,” explains Professor Rayner in his editorial comment in the first issue of the Journal. “There is much that remains to be done. Existing implementation plans for the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) have yet to be completed. Multinational cooperation, coordination and exchange of data are not yet fully developed. Oceanographic research is revealing new knowledge about the oceans and creating the capacity to deliver improved benefits when this knowledge is transitioned into operational use.”

Further information on the new journal, including a Call for Papers will be available on the IMarEST stand at Oi08 and from www.imarest.org/proceedings/joo/

DISTINGUISHED CONFERENCE LINE-UP AT Oi08

One of the global energy industry’s most respected leaders is to deliver the Distinguished Lecture at the marine science and ocean technology community’s largest event, Oceanology International 2008, which runs from 11-13 March at London’s ExCeL. Lord Browne of Madingley FRS FREng, President of The Royal Academy of Engineering and the former group Chief Executive Officer of BP plc, will deliver his presentation at the conference being held under the overall mantle of Technology, Sustainability and the Oceans.

Lord Browne’s acceptance of the invitation to deliver the Distinguished Lecture, a long-standing tradition at previous Oceanology International events, is further evidence of Oi08’s growing global stature. His lecture on Day 2 will revolve around the event’s key themes of climate change, meeting future energy needs and ensuring environmental and civil security.

Keynote speakers on Day 1 at Oi08 will include Prof Jacqueline McGlade, Executive Director at the European Environment Agency; Capt. Dana Goward, Acting Director for Transition; Assistant Comdt for Policy & Planning, and Director, Maritime Domain Awareness Program Integration at the US Coast Guard; Dr Leo Roodhart, Vice President, GameChanger Group, Shell Technology Futures; Prof Robert Watson, the UK government’s Departmental Chief Scientist, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra); and John Westwood, Managing Director, Douglas-Westwood Limited. All set the scene for the focused technical and scientific sessions that follow during the three days of the event.

Oi08, with its exhibition featuring over 500 suppliers from more than 20 different countries, is organised by Reed Exhibitions, with the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST), and the Society for Underwater Technology (SUT) taking responsibility for the agenda-setting conference.

More details are available from the Oi website at www.oceanologyinternational.com

US NAVY CHOOSES THE NEW SENTINEL DIVER DETECTION SYSTEM FROM SONARDYNE

The US Naval Underwater Warfare Center, Newport, RI has chosen Sonardyne International Ltd to supply multiple Sentinel sonar heads for its new Integrated Swimmer Defence System. In addition to the equipment provision, Sonardyne has also been awarded a contract related to the integration and deployment of Sentinel systems as part of an expeditionary warfare requirement.

The contracts, valued in excess of $1 million, follow successful trials in October 2007 when Sentinel was shown to meet the US Navy’s performance requirements for diver detection. Sentinel demonstrated rapid deployment and performance in an equipment package that is smaller, lighter and more cost effective than previous generations of anti-swimmer sonars. Sentinel was developed by Sonardyne to meet the specific requirements of the expeditionary warfare community yet the system has already proved itself equally adaptable to other applications.

Despite the use of sophisticated surface perimeter protection systems, underwater security has, until now, been acknowledged as the weakest link in the defence of ships and on-shore facilities. These have been vulnerable to underwater threats that include attack, sabotage or smuggling. Because of this, uses for Sentinel are expected to range from the protection of vessels such as cruise ships and superyachts, to underwater perimeter security for sensitive coastal assets including power stations, oil and gas terminals, strategic industry and ports and harbours.

Sonardyne has developed its Sentinel sonar by bringing together a world class team of scientists, engineers, and consultants with over 140 man-years of experience in the design and development of similar systems. The company is based in Yateley, UK and is a world leader in the design and manufacture of advanced acoustic instruments and systems for accurate survey, positioning and tracking applications for the offshore and ocean sciences industries.

For further information visit: www.sonardyne.com

MSI SECURES DOUBLE CONTRACT FOR TOTAL INDONESIA WITH PT PAGEO UTAMA

Metocean Services International Pty Ltd (MSI) is pleased to confirm that it has secured two contracts for Total Indonesia (Total) through its Indonesia partners, PT Pageo Utama (Pageo). The first project is a 12 month Metocean campaign offshore of Mahakam Delta, to the north of Balikpapan, in the Makassar Strait where waves, directional currents, water depths, water levels, sea temperature and conductivity will be measured at 5 locations over the course of the year. Meteorological data will also be observed at a shore station established at Pageo’s base in Handil.

The data collected will provide Total Indonesia with a reliable metocean database with which to calibrate numerical models and in the derivation of accurate and consistent metocean design criteria for extreme and fatigue studies, which may be carried out during Total’s future engineering development. The data will also be used to facilitate safe marine operations at and
near the observation locations.

MSI successfully deployed the first set of moorings and the weather station in December 2007 and will recover and service them in March 2008. TRD Instruments 300 KHz Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers, RBR tide gauge and CTDs and ORE acoustic releases are installed on a bottom mount frame and on a 60m wire mooring. The second project is the provision of real-time current measurements to support a drilling campaign offshore North Lombok. MSI will install a TRDI 75kHz acoustic Doppler current profiler to measure multi layer currents in 600m of water whilst the rig is drilling a single well. As well as being archived for future use, the data observed will also be displayed on MSI’s in house software, to assist the drilling engineers during the drilling and Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) operations.

This is the first project that MSI are undertaking with Pageo, a fast growing Indonesian service based company focusing in the survey and subsea services field, following the signing of an exclusive agreement for the provision of Metocean services in Indonesia. Both companies are relatively young but they are backed by extensive owner and employee experience and an existing relationship between the senior management of both companies from their previous employers.

For more information visit www.metoceanservices.com, www.pageo.co.id or www.total.com

TIDELAND BUOY-MOUNTED AIS FOR PORT OF BARCELONA

Against strong international competition, Tideland Signal Ltd recently won the public tender to supply its Informer V03 AIS (automatic identification system) to Barcelona Port Authority for installation on four of the port's most important buoys in order to improve identification by mariners and to make it easier to service the equipment.

Under the contract Tideland is supplying four AIS units together with all accessories necessary for their installation on the buoys and a training programme for the five Port Authority engineers, who will be responsible for operation and maintenance. The training has involved the actual installation and commissioning of the first AIS AtoN on one of the buoys.

Tideland’s Informer V03 AIS system is the first designed specifically for installation on aids to navigation, and capable of full integration into port or coastal AIS networks. It broadcasts its name, type and MMSI number, virtual target flag and, in the case of moored aids, a warning if it goes off station. This information is received by all AIS-fitted vessels as well as land stations and is displayed graphically and in real time on any AIS-enabled electronic chart or radar screen.

The Informer V03 Type3 units have been installed on the two fairway buoys and the first pair of lateral-mark buoys that mark the initial southern entry to Barcelona Port. There has been no need to enlarge the buoy solar power system, thanks to Informer's low consumption and the generous solar power provision existing on the buoys.

Barcelona, one of Spain’s busiest ports, plans to install a new AIS base station in the future. Consequently, the port authorities chose Tideland's Informer V03 Type 3, a transmit and receive unit, which allows integration into a high AIS traffic environment without the need for slot management by a base station.

For further information please visit: www.tidelandsignal.com

MAJOR GATHERING OF THE MARINE INDUSTRY IN LONDON

Over a thousand marine scientists, technologists, engineers and seafarers involved in all aspects of the subsea and above-water professions, will meet in London on 14 March 2008 for the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST) 105th, Society for Underwater Technology (SUT) and Nautical Institute (NI) Joint Annual Dinner.

Being held at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London, the guests, from all over the world, will be present for the inaugural speech by IMarEST’s newly appointed 106th President, Professor Yoo Sang Choo CEng, CMarEng, FIMarEST, as well as speeches by the principal guest, Peter Cardy, Chief Executive of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency; and Rear Admiral Nigel Guild, Chief Naval Engineer Officer, Ministry of Defence, who will reply on behalf of the guests.

“Professor Yoo Sang Choo of the National University of Singapore is the first IMarEST member from the Far East to take on the presidency of IMarEST, and so will be providing guests at the dinner with an insight into activities in our industry in a particularly vibrant part of the world,” explains Keith Read CBE, chief executive of IMarEST.

“Our principal guest, Peter Cardy, joined the MCA at the end of May 2007. With nearly ten months under his belt, he too will be providing the thousand or more guests at the dinner with some fascinating insights into life at the top of this world class organisation committed to preventing loss of life, and continuously improving maritime safety and protecting the marine environment.”

Further information on all aspects of the dinner can be obtained from www.imarest.org or email: christine.davenport@imarest.org

NEW SCANLINE STARFISH SOFTWARE

StarFish is the first of its kind, an all new, high definition seabed imaging sonar. Producing near photo-quality images of the seabed it’s the smallest towfish of its type on the market.

The user-friendly Scanline data acquisition and logging software package for StarFish is now available. The Scanline software operates from any Microsoft Windows 2000/XP/Vista based PC or laptop to capture and display real-time StarFish side-scan sonar data. It can also acquire data from several other sensors including GPS, compasses and speedometers and all data can be logged, replayed and exported from the software. Data can be exported into industry standard XTF (eXtended Triton Format) or CSV (Comma Separated Value) formats, suitable for use in third party analysis software.

StarFish’s Software & IT Systems Engineer, Chris Booth has been working hard to help make Scanline's Hardware Manager interface easy-to-use, meaning you'll be up and running in no time. Chris Booth says, “Users can quickly add, remove and configure all hardware devices recognised by the software in one location. Helpful 'Wizards' guide you through many hardware management tasks making system configuration very simple”.

The built-in web browser window within Scanline allows users with an active internet connection on their PC or laptop to view online content from the StarFish website and read the very latest StarFish news headlines as soon as they are published directly from the software.