tidingsOnline

Issue 101 - 15th February 2008

All the latest news from the marine industry...

WORLDWIDE OSIL MINIBAT SALES

OSIL (Ocean Scientific International Ltd) are experiencing an increase in worldwide sales of their new and improved MiniBAT Tow Vehicle for multiparameter monitoring applications. Most recently they have sold a high-end system consisting of a MiniBAT FC60 and an AML Micro CTD to Ifremer, France, who will be using the system in their research work. The high speed AML CTD perfectly compliments the undulating nature of the MiniBAT ensuring there is no lag in the data and providing a top class research tool.

Previous to the French sale, OSIL supplied the University of Melbourne, Australia, with a MiniBAT FC60 integrated with the clients own Hydrolab DS5X and a Bowtech Underwater Colour Camera, to assist them with their environmental study on Black Breams in the Gippsland Lakes in Victoria. The system was created to collect temperature, salinity, conductivity, DO, turbidity, Nitrate, Nitrite and Chl a data, so that estuary dynamics could be collated with actual information on the temperate reef habitat of the Black Bream.

OSIL also provided CSIC, Spain with a MiniBAT for their studies on harmful algal blooms (HABs) in the Ria de Vigo, Spain. The MiniBAT was integrated with an AML Micro CTD, a Wet Labs Wetstar and an OBS 3, creating a system that could collect large data sets at a much quicker rate than traditional methods. In this study the MiniBAT was used to monitor conductivity, temperature, pressure, fluorescence and turbidity.

OSIL have also recently adapted the FC60 design and created the MiniBAT FW100, a fixed wing version of the FC60 that can travel faster and deeper than the original at a fixed depth. Both the FC60 and FW100 MiniBATs are fully adaptable for a wide variety of applications and provide users with an effective way of collecting profiles in a quick and cost-effective way.

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

NEW SALES EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENT FOR OSIL

On 2nd January 2008 OSIL (Ocean Scientific International Ltd.) welcomed a new Sales Executive, Dr. Hannah Flint, to their Havant based offices. Hannah joins OSIL directly after completing her PhD at the National Oceanography Centre (NOC), Southampton. Working within the deep sea group at NOC provided plenty of sea going and operational experience which will prove valuable in her new role. Prior to receiving her PhD, Hannah received an MSc from NOC in Oceanography and a BSc (hons) in Marine Biology from the University of Aberdeen.

Hannah’s wealth of knowledge on Oceanography will be a great asset in her new role, in which she will be initially responsible for OSIL’s extensive seawater product range including the IAPSO seawater, Low Nutrient Seawater, Iodate Standards and Nutrient Standard Solutions and Performance Evaluation Samples for nutrient and salinity analysis. In addition to this Hannah will be ensuring that customers for OSIL's Service and Calibration Centre receive the best possible assistance and service.

OSIL’s Managing Director, Richard Williams comments, “we are delighted to welcome Hannah to our team here at OSIL and are looking forward to the energy and expertise that her knowledge and background will bring to the role.”

WIDEBAND IN THE ZONE AT OI08

Applications for Sonardyne’s successful Wideband technology within subsea positioning, navigation and communications will form the major theme of Sonardyne’s stand (926) during this year’s Oceanology International 08 exhibition.

In the stand’s subsea monitoring and acquisition zone, there will be live demonstrations of integrated high speed data telemetry using Wideband-enabled transponders, transceivers and Lodestar AHRS. These demonstrations will illustrate the long term logging and autonomous operation capabilities of this new technology.

Climate change and maritime security, two of Oceanology’s conference themes for 2008, will be represented by Sonardyne’s much publicised Tsunami warning system and the new Sentinel Diver Detection Sonar, both of which are making their Oceanology debut. Oceanology will also be the showcase for a host of oceanographic based products from Sonardyne. This zone will show systems that combine navigation and robust command of remote vehicles. These include AvTrak 2, Inverted and Scout USBL systems and a Wideband Sub-Mini transponder.

For further information visit: www.sonardyne.com

MARTECH SYSTEMS DEVELOP CONTROL AND INSTRUMENTATION TECHNOLOGY FOR OFFSHORE POWER GENERATION SYSTEM

Martech Systems have been awarded a contract from Swanturbines Ltd to develop and manufacture control and instrumentation systems for their 350kW sub-sea tidal-stream power generator concept demonstrator, due to be deployed during 2008. Part of the Coda Octopus Group of companies, Martech Systems design and develop high performance custom electronic systems for demanding applications in the defence, aerospace, offshore, nuclear and medical industries. With 20 years experience, Martech’s engineers combine electronic, software and mechanical design skills to deliver complete solutions to complex technical problems for mission critical applications, often in hostile environments, where design integrity, reliability and quality are of paramount importance.

As part of this project, Martech are developing and manufacturing the instrumentation, acquisition and telemetry suite, including all sensors, to monitor the turbine’s performance, and allow control of the turbine.

The concept of harnessing tidal streams relies on the same principles as a wind-turbine, in that a rotor spins to generate electricity, however, instead of wind driving the rotor, a tidal stream turbine uses water. Fast flowing water is found in rivers, estuaries and tidal flows and its energy can be converted by the turbine into electricity. It is predicted that this technology will provide a large proportion of the UK's energy requirements. The Swanturbines concept is lowering the cost of tidal stream energy and some very important advantages as a renewable energy: Low cost, low visual impact, high predictability, small environmental footprint.

The concept is designed to allow simple installation and maintenance retrieval in both shallow and deep water and to minimise vibrations, hence increasing the maintenance period. A gearless low speed generator offers a high efficiency over a range of speeds with minimal maintenance demands through the use of novel structural and electromagnetic topologies. A simple and robust yawing mechanism is used for maximum flow capture and the use of the gravity base vastly reduces
installation cost.

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

Hydro International, the global magazine for hydrography published by Reed Business Geo, unveiled its exciting new design today, with its January/February 2008 issue. The design features a fresh new logo, a cover with brighter colours and more attractive layouts.

“The new design makes Hydro International’s pages fresh and dynamic, and improves the appearance and readability of the articles,” said Durk Haarsma, Publisher of Hydro International. “The original design served us for more than 10 years. We believe that the new layout better suits the vibrant content of today.”

“Although the layout has been changed and we’ve added clear and appealing images, the magazine has kept its renowned in-depth focus on developments in hydrography,” added Joost Boers, Managing Editor of Hydro International. “The restyled magazine will be appealing to the younger generation of hydrographers as well.”

TRITECH LAUNCE GROUND-BREAKING MICRON DATA MODEM RESPONDER/TRANSPONDER UNDERWATER TECHNOLOGY

A miniature underwater Responder/Transponder, Micron Data Modem is being launched at The Oceanology International 08 Exhibition on 11th March, Tritech stand 641. Aberdeenshire based, subsea technology company, Tritech International are showcasing The Micron Data Modem, an exciting new development in the field of through-water communications.

The Modem provides robust spread spectrum data transmission from an extremely compact and low cost unit. The Modem can be used as a responder or transponder for ROV and AUV tracking applications. A remote battery powered option is also available. Due to its very small size and low weight, it is suitable for a host of potential subsea data transfer applications that were previously impractical or uneconomic with larger, more expensive systems.

With a range of up to 1km from it’s omni-directional transducer and the ability to network multiple units subsea, the Micron Data Modem is a superb solution for many data through-water communication applications.

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

TIDELAND WARNING LIGHTS FOR EGYPTIAN TRANSMISSION LINE

Tideland Signal, the specialist in marine lanterns and other aids to navigation, has won a contract from Sumitomo Corporation to supply solar powered warning lights to mark towers on the Sidi Krir electricity transmission line from Cairo to Alexandria. The light chosen by Sumitomo for this important project is Tideland’s SolaLED-155, a solar-powered LED lantern, which has demonstrated its long-life, low-maintenance reliability in the harshest marine environments around the world. The new transmission line will be carried on a total of 540 towers or pylons, of which 49 will be marked by a red SolaLED-155, particularly near safety-critical locations, such as airports.

Tideland’s SolaLED-155 incorporates an integral solar panel that charges a lead acid battery, giving a range of 3NM, coupled with minimal maintenance requirements and a service life of seven years on station in the most demanding environments. It is even designed to withstand immersion in salt water. Long-life LEDs and high-integrity electronics housed in a tough UV-resistant polycarbonate enclosure ensure that the lantern does not need to be opened during its service life. A high-efficiency DC to DC converter is incorporated, providing virtually constant luminous output under a wide range of input power conditions. LED service life is calculated at 100,000 hours.

The lantern is available in a wide range of colours and offers sophisticated control systems, including a choice of three programming modes. It can be factory-programmed to the required setting or, alternatively, the user can programme it either by radio remote controller or from a laptop using Tideland’s LEDCOMM program. In addition to code setting, the LEDCOMM program offers the user visual reporting of the state of battery charge and the ability to set preferred levels for power/intensity, photo cell switching and low voltage disconnect/activation.

For further information please visit: www.tidelandsignal.com

THRANE & THRANE INTRODUCES NEW UHF HANDHELD TO THE SAILOR SP3500 PORTABLE RADIO SERIES

The new SAILOR SP3550 UHF from Thrane & Thrane hit the market on January 16th 2008. Introduced specifically for on board communication using the UHF band, the SP3550 is part of the SAILOR SP3500 Series, which includes three portable VHF radios, of which the SP3520 is approved for GMDSS.

The SP3550 is developed especially for use on the high seas. This ruggedized, waterproof radio offers the same modern design and feature set as the other products in the SP3500 series. User friendly operation, a large and easy to read display with backlight, powerful loudspeaker and large buttons that can be operated even with gloves on make the SP3550 ideal for usage by professionals in the harsh maritime environment and as such is programmed with all maritime UHF channels. The SP3550 offer all the features expected from professional portable UHFs, such as Dual watch and Scanning, Scrambler, Hi/Lo functionality (2/1W), CTCSS.

As part of the SP3500 series, the SP3550 can be used with the same accessories, such as batteries, chargers and carry bags. By utilizing the same accessories operators are able to maximize the cost savings across their fleet when choosing the SP3500 Series as the primary tool for on board communication. The SP3500 Series, including the SP3550 also integrate fully with fist mikes, headsets and other accessories from SAVOX and PELTOR.

Henrik Fyhn, Market Manager RadioCom says: "With the launch of the SAILOR SP3550 we bring further strength to our portfolio of portable communication products for the maritime market. This reliable UHF solution adds further flexibility to the SAILOR SP3500 Series ensuring that our products offer strong features and high quality - at very attractive prices."

For further information please visit: www.thrane.com

KONGBERG MARITIME INTEGRATED OPERATIONS LAB OPENS FOR BUSINESS

Kongsberg's Oil and Gas Division has opened the doors to its state-of-the-art Integrated Operations Lab at its 'Carpus' headquarters in Kongsberg Norway. The 'IO Lab', was implemented to establish work practices and to develop tools for improved and more efficient collaboration between the company's own engineers and its customers' engineers, for both modification and maintenance tasks and for new projects.

The IO Lab enables online support to operators at an oil and gas production platform, cooperation with experts at the oil company's onshore support centre or collaboration between internal sites in Kongsberg Maritime and will provide experts from the operator organisations and from the relevant suppliers with the working environment and tools to help them solve problems faster and more efficiently.

The IO Lab is already fully operational. On 25th October 2007, Kongsberg Maritime became the first supplier to connect live to the Kristin Platform as a demonstration of the IO and collaboration concepts of the IO Lab and as a practicality due to the five Kongsberg Maritime maintenance engineers onsite to work on the process control systems.

For further information please visit: www.kongsberg.com

UPCOMING EVENTS

Dye Tracing Workshop
RS Aqua Ltd, Hampshire, UK announces a one day Dye Tracing workshop on Thursday 17th April at the University of Warwick. The event is being organised in collaboration with the Warwick Water Group based within the university’s Dept of Engineering and repeats the format of a highly successful workshop held in October 2003 at HR Wallingford. To view the provisional programme and booking form please click here

Eleven seminar presentations are scheduled plus three parallel group “instruments in action” sessions utilising the superb facilities provided by the Dept of Engineering. A subsidised delegate charge of £35 (inc VAT) will be levied as a contribution towards costs for lunch, refreshments, car parking etc.