http://www.hydro-international.com/ News from www.hydro-international.com. 15 http://www.hydro-international.com/news/id5324-ROV_Survey_of_the_Costa_Concordia_Grounding_Site_video.html Soon after the major disaster of the Costa Concordia cruise ship, which was grounded near the coast of Giglio Island, Italy, the Firemen Divers Department began searching the area around the ship's hull for passengers who might have drowned. There also were concerns that the ship might slip from her position along the coastal slope to a depth of about 70 metres, which would have seriously compromised further rescue operations. These tasks have been surveyed using an Ageotec Perseo ROV equipped with two cameras and a 5-function manipulator, which enabled more than 10,000 square metres of sea bottom to be surveyed as well as objects and samples to be collected. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:58:58 +0100 http://www.hydro-international.com/news/id5323-PMGS_Transponders_for_Earthquake_and_Tsunami_Research.html The Japanese Coast Guard is investing in 44 PMGS (Precision Marine Geodetic System) transponders and a PMGS surface station from Link-Quest, USA. This purchase of PMGS systems is based on the measurement results obtained by Japanese scientists after the magnitude 9 earthquake that occurred on 11th March 2011. Up to 24 metres of horizontal seafloor movement was detected. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:40:59 +0100 http://www.hydro-international.com/news/id5322-Underwater_Vision_to_Fugro_Subsea_Services.html BlueView Technologies, USA, has made a recent delivery of two P900-130 2D Multibeam Imaging Sonar for Fugro Subsea Services in Aberdeen, UK. Installed on the latest batch of Falcon underwater remotely operated vehicles (ROV) from Saab Seaeye, the units will be used to provide real-time situational awareness in the tough underwater environments in which the vehicles must operate. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:26:50 +0100 http://www.hydro-international.com/news/id5321-Award_for_Brazilian_Hydrographic_Paper.html The Directing Committee of the International Hydrographic Organization, Monaco, has awarded the Prince Albert Ist Medal for Hydrography 2012 to the article 'Multibeam Processing for Nautical Charts' authored by LCdr. Aluizio Macel de Oliveira and Cdr. Izabel King Jeck, both from the Directorate of Hydrography and Navigation (DHN), Brazilian Navy, Brazil. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:22:29 +0100 http://www.hydro-international.com/news/id5320-Demonstrating_a_Deeper_Understanding.html Integrated low risk subsea technologies, custom engineering, project planning and field support services of Sonardyne (UK) will be presented on Stand G300 at this year's Oceanology International exhibition and conference, to be held from 13th to 15th March at the ExCeL Centre in London, UK. Sonardyne's trials vessel, Predator, will be hosting practical demonstrations throughout each day. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:47:26 +0100 http://www.hydro-international.com/news/id5319-First_RealTime_Seafloor_Earthquake_Observatory.html An interdisciplinary project led by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) geologist Jeff McGuire, an expert in global earthquake seismology and geodesy, and John Collins, director of WHOI's Ocean Bottom Seismometer Lab, will build and install the first seafloor geodesy observatory above the expected rupture zone of the next great Cascadia earthquake. The project is being facilitated by a grant of USD1 million from the W. M. Keck Foundation. Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:44:27 +0100 http://www.hydro-international.com/news/id5318-Theme_of_Hydrography_Day__International_Cooperation.html 'International Hydrographic Cooperation - Supporting safe navigation' has been proposed as the theme for the celebration of World Hydrography Day (WHD) 2012. This theme is to provide Member States with the opportunity to promote their involvement in international activities at bilateral, multinational, regional and global levels covering bilateral support, data exchange, chart coverage, standards development and regional cooperation. Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:28:37 +0100 http://www.hydro-international.com/news/id5317-Finistre_and_Mediterranean_Bathymetric_Lidar_Surveys.html A contract to conduct an Airborne Lidar Bathymetry (ALB) survey of the Finistère and the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (PACA) regions of France between February and May 2012 has been assigned to Fugro. The surveys will be conducted with the Fugro LADS Mk 3 ALB system. Covering a total survey area of 2,200 square kilometres, both surveys have been included in one contract in order to optimise survey conditions in two very different environments. Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.hydro-international.com/news/id5316-Precise_Positioning_For_BP_Vessels.html BP will continue to use Veripos precision positioning for the energy company's turret monitoring system aboard its floating production storage and offloading unit in the West Shetland Basin, BP Schiehallion (UK). Thu, 02 Feb 2012 10:05:03 +0100 http://www.hydro-international.com/news/id5315-DP_Inertial_Navigation_System_for_Drillship.html A first order for a Dynamic Positioning Inertial Navigation System (DP-INS) on a drillship has been received by Sonardyne International. Vantage Drilling's new 12,000 feet-rated drillship, Dragonquest, is set to become the first deep water drilling unit in the world to be equipped with the new system when it begins operations in the Gulf of Mexico for Petrobras later this year. Thu, 02 Feb 2012 09:55:58 +0100 http://www.hydro-international.com/news/id5314-Plugandwork_Protocol_Adopted.html Open Geospatial Consortium has adopted the PUCK standard, which facilitates plug-and-play connections of electronic equipment. The standard is relatively simple, and several manufacturers have already implemented the protocol in their instruments' firmware. It augments existing instrument command sets without replacing them, so it can be implemented without abandoning existing firmware and software applications. The standard was originally developed by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) for oceanographic applications, but is useful in any sensor network containing RS232 or Ethernet-connected instruments. Thu, 02 Feb 2012 09:38:58 +0100 http://www.hydro-international.com/news/id5313-Simulator_Models_Complex_Sea_Currents.html Fugro Subsea Services is a manufacturer and operator of ROVs, and provider of subsea engineering, construction support and inspection, maintenance and repair services. Its Robotic Technologies business line has announced the introduction of three-dimensional sea current profiles to its DeepWorks family of subsea simulators. Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:46:39 +0100 http://www.hydro-international.com/news/id5312-Monitoring_the_Shipwrecked_Concordia.html TRE and the Polytechnic University of Milan, Italy, in collaboration with the Department of Earth Sciences (University of Florence) have been monitoring the movement of the partially submerged cruise ship Costa Concordia since 20th January 2012 off the coast of Giglio Island. High-resolution images from the Italian COSMO-SkyMed constellation of satellites are being used to provide information on the position and movement of the ship, for integration with ground warning systems. Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:40:35 +0100 http://www.hydro-international.com/news/id5311-New_Australian_Marine_Research_Vessel_under_Construction.html Construction of Australia's new AUD120 million Marine National Facility research vessel, Investigator, began in Singapore on 30th January 2012. Australia's ocean territory is the third largest in the world and includes unique biodiversity and valuable resources, and marine science is critical for the sustainable management of ocean assets. Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:13:55 +0100 http://www.hydro-international.com/news/id5310-Marsbound_Instrument_Detects_Solar_Bursts_Effects.html The largest solar particle event since 2005 has been detected by the radiation-monitoring instrument aboard the Mars Science Laboratory spacecraft, on its way from Earth to Mars. RAD Principal Investigator Don Hassler, science programme director in the Space Studies Department at Southwest Research Institute, said that they have only downloaded a few hours of data from the RAD so far, but that the event is clearly visible. Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:41:19 +0100 http://www.hydro-international.com/news/id5309-Europeans_Trained_in_Understanding_Space_Weather.html The University of New Brunswick, Canada, has become an official partner of Training Research and Applications Network to Support the Mitigation of Ionospheric Threats (TRANSMIT), a major European programme to train the next generation of scientists and engineers to counter solar threats to satellite positioning and navigation systems. Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.hydro-international.com/news/id5308-US_Estimate__Wave_and_Tidal_Power_by.html In the most rigorous analyses undertaken to date, two recently released resource assessments show that waves and tidal currents off the US coasts contain enough energy to provide a significant portion of the nation's total annual electricity usage. The West Coast, including Alaska and Hawaii, has especially high potential for wave energy development, while significant opportunities also exist along the East Coast, which has strong tides that could be tapped to produce energy. Mon, 30 Jan 2012 11:28:01 +0100 http://www.hydro-international.com/news/id5307-Tasman_Sea_Named_as_Global_Warming_Hotspot.html Oceanographers have identified a series of ocean 'hotspots' around the world. Strengthening wind systems have driven a number of oceanic currents, including the East Australian Current, polewards beyond their known boundaries. The hotspots have formed alongside ocean currents that wash the east coast of the major continents, and their warming is proceeding at a rate far exceeding the average rate of ocean surface warming, according to an international science team, whose work is published in the journal Nature Climate Change. Mon, 30 Jan 2012 11:13:22 +0100 http://www.hydro-international.com/news/id5306-Consolidating_Wave,_Wind_and_Tidal_Power_Technology.html The newly-established Norwegian renewable energy company STRAUM merges three technology environments in a move towards becoming a leading supplier of wave, tidal and ocean wind power technology. STRAUM believes that consolidation is the key to success. Mon, 30 Jan 2012 11:03:20 +0100 http://www.hydro-international.com/news/id5305-Call_for_Papers_for_Hexagon.html Leica Geosystems is seeking papers for its three tracks at Hexagon 2012, to be held from 4th to 7th June 2012 at the MGM Grand Hotel, Las Vegas, USA. The Geosystems track includes three sub-tracks: Trends in Mapping & Positioning for Government & Industry; HDS/Laser Scanning; and Geospatial Solutions. Those interested in presenting should submit abstracts by 9th April 2012. Fri, 27 Jan 2012 10:52:52 +0100 http://www.hydro-international.com/news/id5304-POS_MV_Firmware_Update.html Applanix (Canada) has released firmware update version 6.24 for POS MVTM V5, the hydrographic georeferencing and motion compensation system. Fri, 27 Jan 2012 10:42:44 +0100 http://www.hydro-international.com/news/id5303-Tomorrows_Solutions_to_Todays_Ocean_Challenges.html Catch the Next Wave, with its theme ‘Tomorrow's solutions to today's ocean challenges', is a one-day conference organised by New Scientist and Oceanology International on Monday 12th March 2012. The event will get off to a flying start with a keynote address by Graham Hawkes of Deep Ocean Engineering and Virgin Oceanic. Thu, 26 Jan 2012 10:08:15 +0100 http://www.hydro-international.com/news/id5302-Nautronix_Expands_Brazilian_Activities.html Nautronix has appointed Alessandra Bunel as business development manager for the Brazilian region. Alessandra will be based full time at Nautronix's Brazilian office in Rio de Janeiro and will be responsible for developing new business opportunities and increasing the company's presence in the region. Thu, 26 Jan 2012 09:47:56 +0100 http://www.hydro-international.com/news/id5301-BlueView_Integrated_with_Ageotec_ROVs.html BlueView Technologies, USA, and Ageotec, Italy, have signed a systems integrator agreement that enables Ageotec to re-sell BlueView 2D and 3D products on Ageotec Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs). BlueView's compact, real-time multibeam imaging sonar will expand Ageotec's capabilities in low and zero-visibility conditions. Thu, 26 Jan 2012 09:39:13 +0100 http://www.hydro-international.com/news/id5300-NOAA_Sets_Focus_for__Hydrographic_Survey.html Responding to requests from the maritime industry and the U.S. Coast Guard, Coast Survey is prioritising tasks for the 2012 hydrographic survey season. The mission is to acquire hydrographic data and update navigational charts for areas with high levels of commercial traffic and passenger cruise ships, and in areas important to the development of strategic resources. Thu, 26 Jan 2012 09:29:33 +0100 http://www.hydro-international.com/news/id5299-New_Bathymetry_in_Google_Earth.html On 11th January 2012, Google replaced its global bathymetry SRTM30_PLUS V4.0 with the newer version V7.0. This has increased the area of seafloor covered at 1km resolution from 10% to 15%. Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:44:03 +0100 http://www.hydro-international.com/news/id5298-Optimising_Multiple_ADCP_Access.html EvoLogics, Germany, has upgraded its S2C/2/ADCP multiple access system to version 2.0, adding important features that optimise data retrieval from multiple ADCP instruments. The protocol for downloading files over the hydro-acoustic channel increases both speed and reliability of file transfers. Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:01:56 +0100 http://www.hydro-international.com/news/id5297-Multiclient_Agreement_and_D_Seismic_Acquisition_Contract_for_Polar_Duke.html Dolphin Geophysical, Norway, has reached final agreement with Petrosen to commence acquisition of a 3D multi-client survey covering nearly 3,600 sq km offshore Senegal. The survey will commence in early March 2012 and is substantially funded by industry. Dolphin already has 2D seismic data for this area, acquired in 2011, and the acquisition of 3D data is a natural progression for these prospective areas which require greater focus and better defining. Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:22:39 +0100 http://www.hydro-international.com/news/id5296-Innovative_Survey_and_Inspection_Platform.html OMM has announced that it is developing a bespoke, remotely operated underwater survey and inspection platform. After identifying a requirement for an integrated vehicle to perform survey and inspection of assorted assets from depths of up to 100m, through the intertidal zone to drying heights, OMM has conceived a unique approach to a problem which would usually require the deployment of multiple conventional ROV and diving spreads. Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:17:11 +0100 http://www.hydro-international.com/news/id5295-SBoom_Technology_for_Fugro.html Fugro Survey (Middle East) Ltd has ordered Applied Acoustics' S-Boom sub-bottom profiling system for its geophysical survey operations based out of Abu Dhabi (UAE). Developed for shallow-water, ultra-high resolution surveys, the S-Boom system had been undergoing extensive trials with Fugro during the late summer of 2011 before being accepted and selected at the end of that year. Mon, 23 Jan 2012 10:56:33 +0100 http://www.hydro-international.com/news/id5294-Surveying_the_Venetian_Lagoon.html The world's best-known estuarine lagoon has been of tremendous historical importance in sheltering the city of Venice. It is an ever-changing environment with only 8% covered by land, 12% by open water and the remaining 80% by mud flats, tidal shallows and salt marshes. This geographical setting, hosting complex ecosystems, is influenced by tidal cycles entering through three sea inlets and freshwater and sediment supplied by river influx. The Venice Institute of Marine Science (ISMAR-CNR) is engaged in numerous projects regarding researching and monitoring the lagoon. Mon, 23 Jan 2012 10:44:08 +0100 http://www.hydro-international.com/news/id5293-Geotechnical_Services_Pass_German_Test.html EMU Limited's expanded geotechnical services were put to the test recently when the company successfully completed more than 1,000 cone penetration tests along the cable routes of a number of proposed offshore wind farms in Germany. EMU's geotechnical offering includes three and six-metre variable frequency vibrocorers, Datem Neptune 5000 heavyweight CPTs, gravity and piston corers and a number of various sediment sampling grabs. Mon, 23 Jan 2012 10:17:05 +0100 http://www.hydro-international.com/news/id5292-Cadden_Enters_New_Growth_Phase.html Cadden, specialist in electronic measuring systems for geopositioning and oceanography, is entering a new growth phase. The Nantes-based small business intends to generate 20% of its sales internationally within 2 years. To achieve this goal, a new export sales representative has joined the team. Fri, 20 Jan 2012 10:19:59 +0100 http://www.hydro-international.com/news/id5291-Challenges_of_Site_Characterisation_in_Wave_and_Tidal_Projects.html A Renewable UK Wave & Tidal 2012 Workshop is to take place on 14th March 2012 in Edinburgh (UK). This workshop, sponsored by The Partrac Group, will act as a platform for project engineers, project developers, surveyors, consultants and device manufacturers to understand the constraints and respond to the demands of acquiring oceanographic, geosciences and environmental data in challenging and complex marine environments. Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.hydro-international.com/news/id5290-Marine_Observing_Programme_in_Australia.html Australia's Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS) has been extended with a TRIAXYS sensor. AXYS Technologies (Canada), together with its Australian representative Metocean Services International, has recently supplied the sensor to the Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO). The sensor is installed on the Southern Ocean Flux Station Weather Buoy, designed by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute (WHOI), located at -46.915; 142.217, south of Tasmania, in 4,323 metres of water. Wed, 18 Jan 2012 09:55:56 +0100 http://www.hydro-international.com/news/id5289-MultiClient_Seismic_Survey_in_Offshore_Namibia.html Spectrum, Norway, in partnership with CGGVeritas and the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (NAMCOR), has commenced a new 2D multi-client seismic survey covering the deepwater Orange Basin off the coast of Namibia. The programme includes the acquisition of around 7,000 km of long-offset data covering both held and open blocks in the Orange Basin. A good level of prefunding has been obtained from companies to provide support for the programme. Wed, 18 Jan 2012 09:38:48 +0100 http://www.hydro-international.com/news/id5288-ROV_Coordinate_Estimation_With__Slant_Range_Accuracy.html The Evologics S2C USBL (Ultra-Short Baseline) underwater positioning system demonstrated a consistent performance in a recent series of pool tests, estimating the position of an ROV for baffle bolt inspection in nuclear power plants. The system estimated the distance to the ROV resulting in a RMS deviation of 0.04° at 2.1m distance. This result corresponds to a 0.07% 1 drms slant range accuracy. Wed, 18 Jan 2012 09:31:50 +0100 http://www.hydro-international.com/news/id5287-Sonar_Uncertainty_Instrument.html L-3 Klein (USA) is to present the HydroChart 5000 (HC5000) Sonar Uncertainty Model at the upcoming Shallow Survey 2012 Conference to be held in Wellington, New Zealand, from 20th to 24th February 2012. The HC5000 is a portable, high-speed hydrographic survey system able to simultaneously collect IHO-quality bathymetry and co-registered, high-resolution, multi-beam side scan sonar data. Tue, 17 Jan 2012 14:18:25 +0100 http://www.hydro-international.com/news/id5286-Seastate_Forecasting_Project.html Sensors provided by Chelsea Technologies, UK, are to be fitted to a cross-channel ferry to collect vessel motion data as part of the WaveSentry project which is being managed by Marine South East. This motion data will be processed to derive certain indirect sea-state measurements which will then be merged with a range of other data feeds within the WaveSentry sea-state measurement and forecasting system. Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.hydro-international.com/news/id5285-Multigauge__ROV_Metal_Thickness_Gauge.html Tritex NDT, UK, has upgraded its Multigauge 4000 Series ROV thickness gauges for mounting onto most work-class ROVs. The range includes the Multigauge 4100 and Multigauge 4400 which are for use in depths of 1,000m and 4,000m respectively. The Multigauge 4100 is now made from acetal and the Multigauge 4400 from titanium for extra durability. Mon, 16 Jan 2012 16:28:01 +0100