STR First to Invest in Sonardyne Syrinx DVL

Subsea Technology and Rentals (STR, UK) has become the first company to invest in the Sonardyne Syrinx Doppler Velocity Log (DVL). The order for two 4,000 metre depth-rated units was placed at the recent Ocean Business exhibition in Southampton in response to demands from STR’s customers globally for a DVL that is capable of providing high-integrity, high-performance navigation over a wide range of altitudes and seabed types. The introduction of Syrinx, Sonardyne’s first ever DVL, is a natural extension of the company’s existing 6G and SPRINT product lines and follows a major research and development programme aimed at creating a new performance benchmark for 600kHz DVLs.

Syrinx differs from other DVLs through its use of fully linear signal processing, low noise electronics and adaptive bottom lock. These features enable Syrinx to operate at altitudes over 50 percent higher than conventional 600kHz DVLs with the high-resolution performance of a 1200kHz DVL, all whilst navigating over undulating and challenging terrain of any type.

Alongside its class-leading precision and accuracy, STR identified Syrinx’s concurrent Ethernet and serial output capability as a feature that will have considerable appeal to its customers. It means that Syrinx can be employed as a standalone DVL, as part of an integrated navigation system, or perform both functions at once, allowing both vehicle pilots and survey teams to simultaneously share the output from Syrinx. This will return both operational costs savings and savings in vehicle payload space.

Syrinx has been designed to be easy to install, set-up and use and can make use of existing DVL mounting arrangements on host vehicles. Available in depth ratings up to 6,000 metres, STR selected the 4,000 metre rated, corrosion resistant titanium model for their rental pool. This decision will ensure compatibility with the next generation of Work-class ROVs which are being designed, built and equipped for 4,000 metre operations.

When it comes to ownerships costs, STR will benefit from the fact that Syrinx has factory replaceable ‘capsule’ transducers that can be individually replaced should they become damaged during normal operations. With other DVLs, repairing damaged transducers typically involves replacing the entire transducer assembly; an expensive option if only one transducer actually needs replacing.

Image: Barry Cairns from Sonardyne (right) and Scott Johnstone from STR (left) confirm the deal that makes STR the first to purchase the new Syrinx DVL.