tidingsOnline

Issue 103 - 3rd April 2008

All the latest news from the marine industry...

ROYAL NAVY CONTRACT FOR OSIL'S SERVICE CENTRE

Havant-based OSIL (Ocean Scientific International Ltd.) has been awarded a contract from the Royal Navy for the service, repair and calibration of their oceanographic equipment including CTDs, Salinometers, sound velocity probes, thermometers and current meters. OSIL operates an ISO 9001 accredited service and calibration centre for a wide range of marine scientific instruments that is currently used by academic organizations, government institutes, military laboratories and instrument manufacturers. Under this new contract OSIL expects several hundred instruments from a range of manufacturers to pass through their service centre.

OSIL will also provide formal in-field training for Royal Navy personnel in the operation and maintenance of the instruments. OSIL’s Managing Director, Dr Richard Williams explains, “the support of this instrumentation is an essential component in the successful operation of the Royal Naval Hydrographic Service. We are confident that OSIL’s expertise in this field will prove to be highly beneficial.”

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

APPLIED MICROSYSTEMS SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHES SV XCHANGE

Applied Microsystems (AML) is pleased to announce the successful launch of SV Xchange, the world’s only exchangeable, field-swappable sound velocity sensor. Any SV Xchange sensor can be connected to any Xchange enabled instrument - when you want, where you want - without compromising calibration accuracy.

Oceanology International 2008 was the public launch of this exciting new product and Applied Microsystems was thrilled with the industry’s reactions. With some people arriving at the booth already aware of the SV Xchange, AML was pleased with the outcome of their pre-show advertising. Robert Haydock, President of AML, describes how he could “see the wheels start to turn” as people absorbed what a truly field-swappable SV sensor meant for the industry. With interest and enthusiasm high, comments from visitors and exhibitors alike, such as, "That is such a flexible solution why would you not do it"; "It is perfect"; "A great idea" were not uncommon.

Only 2 weeks after the close of OI 2008, AML received orders for the SV Plus v2 with the SV Xchange option from customers, including new contacts made at the show. With orders being placed and quotation requests high, the SV Xchange is expected to make a large impact for Applied Microsystems.

For further information please visit: www.appliedmicrosystems.com/svxchange

FUGRO ORDERS NEW-BUILD GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY VESSEL

Fugro has signed an agreement with ship designers and builders, Fr. Fassmer GMBH & Co. KG of Bremen, for the design and construction of a new geophysical survey vessel. It will be named the MV Fugro Searcher

The suite of survey equipment will include EA600 single beam echo sounder, EM302 and EM3002 multibeam echo sounders, Edgetech dual frequency 4200 digital sidescan sonar, chirp sub-bottom profiler, Hydroscience SeeMUX digital system, with a seismic source of up to 970 cu in firing into a 3000 solid digital streamer, and a HiPAP 500 USBL system. The vessel will be fully networked to provide full plug-and-play interconnectivity and have Fugro’s dual DGPS high precision Navigation systems.

At 65 metres LOA and accommodation for 43 in en suite single and double cabins it will be a comfortable and spacious vessel on which to work. The design of the vessel will permit simultaneous analogue/digital survey operations and AUV operations. Geotechnical and ROVSV duties can also be undertaken. Diesel electric drive, specially designed hull form, resilient engine mounts and rudder propellers will maximise station keeping and navigational control while ensuring acoustically quiet running at survey speeds.

The Fugro Searcher will be operated by Fugro Survey Limited of Aberdeen. For further information please visit: www.fugro.com

KONGSBERG MARITIME DEVELOPS A UNIQUE INTEGRATED DP SOLUTION FOR THE LARGEST CONSTRUCTION VESSEL EVER BUILT

After the successful launch of Audacia in November 2007, Allseas is now fully committed to its next construction vessel - Pieter Schelte - which will take the pipe laying specialist into new territory by providing heavy lift and platform removal capability. With the Dutch company Imtech Marine & Offshore as contractor for the power and drive solution, Kongsberg Maritime will supply a unique integrated Dynamic Positioning and manoeuvring solution, tailored to the operations of Pieter Schelte.

"The operational capabilities of Pieter Schelte are enormous and thus require state of the art quality control systems. Considering the complex operations that we will be involved in, we put a lot of trust in the integrated Dynamic Positioning and manoeuvring solution," says Gerard Stenfert, E&I lead engineer, at Allseas. "With the past good experience we have with Kongsberg Maritime, we are confident that they will provide us with the right solution."

The Kongsberg Maritime integrated Dynamic Positioning and manoeuvring concept relies on a distributed and open system design, which employs a fully backed-up system-wide standardized communication network. The communication network integrates the K-POS Dynamic Positioning, K-Thrust thruster control, and K-Chief machinery automation systems, into a complete solution with unique positioning and manoeuvring capabilities required for e.g. the planned heavy lift operations.

The vessel employs two fully equipped redundant bridges; forward and aft (in separate fire zones). The Kongsberg Maritime supplied equipment communicates either via the redundant LAN network or via the alternative also redundant serial network. The two bridges thus provide full redundancy for each other and the total system is redundant to an extent that surpasses the DP class 3 requirements.

For further information please visit: www.kongsberg.com

TECHNIP NPV CONTRACT - MAJOR COUP FOR IHC’S ENGINEERING BUSINESS

A major contract to provide a fully integrated pipelay system for Technip’s newbuild 194m pipelay vessel (NPV) has been awarded to IHC’s Engineering Business (EB).

"This multi-million pound contract is amongst our most extensive ever and is a huge boost for the EB team and our supply chain in North East England,” explains managing director, Dr Tony Trapp. “From design, incorporation of Technip equipment, through build, installation on the NPV, commissioning and sea trials we are providing an integrated solution. EB will develop the Technip concept to provide an innovative pipelay system which, married with other vessel characteristics, will give Technip a competitive advantage. We are looking forward to delivering the system in 2010."

“In recent years we have built a number of large component pieces of equipment for pipelay vessels; now, bringing all our expertise together for this integrated solution marks the next stage in EB development. We are working very closely with the engineering team from Technip on this bespoke system and this is exactly the sort of stimulating customer relationship on which we thrive.”

The vessel will be built by STX Heavy Industries (Korea) and will transit to Tyneside, England to be fitted with the specialist pipelay equipment. The vessel is designed to carry 5600 tonnes of reeled pipe and to lay it in 3000m water depth, with 450 tonnes top tension. “This is an important project for one of the world’s largest offshore contractors,” says Tony Trapp. “It will mean a further increase in the size of the EB team and will enable us to show the strength of our OSBIT, on spec, budget and in time, ethos.”

For further information please visit: www.engb.com

TRITECH SONARS INSTALLED ON SEAGEN, THE WORLD'S LARGEST TIDAL ENERGY SYSTEM

Aberdeenshire based, Tritech International Ltd leads the move into alternative energies by integrating their sonars on the world’s largest ever commercial, tidal energy convertor. Tritech sonars will be in place to help observe the environmental impact of SeaGen which will be continuously monitored throughout the five year trial period.

Richard Marsh, Managing Director of Tritech said, “Offshore tidal energy is eminently more sensible than wind farms. Water is 800 times denser than air, so for the same size and flows, a water turbine produces 800 times the power of a wind turbine. What’s more we can be sure of two tides a day, whereas the wind is hopelessly random. We are delighted to be part of this project and helping to ensure that tidal generators do not endanger marine mammals.”

With the aim of providing real-time sub-surface imagery, the Sea Mammal Research Unit Ltd (SMRU) conducted trials of commercially available sonars. The trials determined the sonar’s potential to detect and track marine mammals around tidal turbines and other types of offshore development involving marine renewable energy. The testing process involved trials of several sonar products with Tritech’s Super SeaKing DST giving the best results.

Dr Gordon Hastie, Senior Research Scientist at SMRU spoke of the trials and the performance of Tritech’s Super SeaKing DST in his final report, “The most efficient system for detecting small marine mammals, in terms of range, coverage and user consistency will be deployed on the SeaGen tidal turbine in Strangford Lough when it is installed and commissioned over the next few weeks and then into commercial operation. The results from this study suggest that this would be the Tritech Super SeaKing.”

The SeaGen’s impact on wildlife and the environment is expected to be small, while retaining its potential to generate electricity to power over 1,000 homes. SeaGen will start the race in sourcing alternative tidal energies, making its launch a landmark in British energy history, producing electricity for the first time from our shores.

For further information please visit: www.marineturbines.com, www.seageneration.co.uk, www.smru.co.uk or www.tritech.com

THRANE & THRANE RENEWS VOLVO OCEAN RACE SPONSORSHIP FOR 2008-2009

Thrane & Thrane has signed to become an Official Sponsor of Satellite and Radio Communications Equipment to the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-2009 - the World's premier ocean race. An extensive line-up of cutting edge SAILOR systems backed up by Thrane & Thrane's global service concept - the On Board Service Center network - ensures that teams and race organisers have the very best communications solutions at their disposal.

As a sponsor to the Volvo Ocean Race 2005-2006, Thrane & Thrane was instrumental in ensuring the teams and organisers could communicate effectively via mobile satellite communication. The scope of supply expands for the next race with several new communication products, including the newly introduced SAILOR 500 FleetBroadband, but also VHF and MF/HF radios being put to the ultimate test in one of the most extreme sporting events on the planet.

With data rates up to 432kbps, SAILOR 500 FleetBroadband will deliver HDTV and live audio/standard video to the Volvo Ocean Race headquarters throughout the entire race, which will then be broadcast via TV and the internet. As the sole video delivery platform onboard, the inherent reliability that Thrane & Thrane ensures in its SAILOR systems will be vital to the crews, race organisers and the millions of avid fans expecting high quality footage of the action as it unfolds.

For further information please visit: www.thrane.com

EVENTS

SONARDYNE TO HOST 42nd MARINE MEASUREMENT FORUM
The 42nd Marine Measurement Forum will be hosted by Sonardyne International Ltd on Tuesday 15th April 2008. The venue will be the DeVere Warbrook House and Grange in Eversley, Hook, Hampshire.

The Marine Measurement Forum (MMF) is a non-profit making, one-day event that provides opportunities for the informal exchange of ideas, knowledge, techniques, activities, projects and developments across an extensive range of marine scientific measurement activities. Attendees typically include scientists, surveyors, engineers and business people from a variety of organisations including research centres, academia, manufacturers, survey companies, consultants, monitoring authorities, dredging companies, port authorities and oil companies. Please visit: www.mmf-uk.org for further information.

A finalised programme will be published soon and it is expected that there will be around twelve 20 minute presentations with registration commencing at 8.30am and the event running through until around 4.30pm. Attendance will be strictly limited to 75 on a first come first served basis. Bookings can only be accepted against receipt of a completed Registration Form accompanied by payment of £35 per head. A hot buffet lunch and refreshment breaks throughout the day are included in this price. WiFi and on-site parking is free.

On this particular occasion, Sonardyne is donating the £35 fee for attending directly to the Epilepsy Bereaved charity in memory of Roger and Sandie Scrivens’ daughter Becky who was a victim of Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) in May 2004.

For more information, please visit: www.rsaqua.co.uk/becky-scrivens-epilepsy-bereaved.asp or www.sonardyne.com