AquaTitans partners with Sonardyne for submersibles package tracking solution
Newly formed specialist manned submersible services provider AquaTitans has chosen underwater tracking systems from marine technology company Sonardyne to support underwater vehicles used by scientists, researchers and filmmakers.
The Scottish company, formed by submersibles specialists Alan Green and William Arthur in 2022, will use Sonardyne’s Mini-Ranger 2 Ultra-Short BaseLine (USBL) positioning system as part of its new containerized submersible support system.
For use from small expedition vessels to large, open-decked offshore support ships, vessels of opportunity or even quaysides, the AquaTitans container concept comes with everything needed to operate submersibles. The package includes dedicated support equipment for underwater communications, recharging batteries and oxygen and air resupply, together with accurate and reliable underwater tracking.
Digital acoustic technology
The company’s first two six-metre containerized systems will be used with Triton 3300/3 submersibles; three-man vehicles built by Triton Submarines that are able to carry science and research specialists to depths of 1,000m. The first delivery was made in Q1 2023.
For work with underwater platforms such as submersibles, Mini-Ranger 2 offers a portable and quick to mobilize, versatile tracking and communications system. It provides submersible pilots with the confidence, accuracy and safety assurance they need on critical tasks during dives, saving valuable operational time.
It is ideal for use on vessels of opportunity and even from the quayside, offering performance without the cost and complexity of a permanently installed USBL system. It is able to track up to ten underwater targets out to 995m operating range as standard, using Sonardyne’s market-leading 6G hardware and Wideband 2 digital acoustic technology.
The operating range is extendable to 4,000m and, with an optional robotics pack, Mini-Ranger 2 can also provide underwater vehicle command and control.
Maximizing underwater time
Alan Green, who has been working with submersibles since his first job with submarine rescue company Rumic in 2002, says Mini-Ranger 2 was an obvious choice for their containerized solution for submersible operators. “Sonardyne’s deepwater USBL systems are deployed on a number of projects, and when we spoke with the submersible pilots and operators, this was the preferred system,” he said. “We didn’t need to look elsewhere. The Mini-Ranger 2 has been proven to be reliable, accurate and easy to use; all critical factors when selecting subsea equipment. With confidence in the tracking data, the pilot can quickly locate subsea targets and avoid losing valuable dive time transiting to the wrong location. It is all part of ensuring that the scientists and researchers are able to maximize their time underwater and receive the best experience possible.”
“We’re pleased to be supporting AquaTitans in their new venture,” Alan MacDonald, sales manager at Sonardyne, said. “Both Alan and William are highly experienced operators and their containerized solution will make submersible operation from vessels or even waterside locations far easier, reducing equipment set-up and integration complexities. Mini-Ranger 2 fits perfectly into that ethos.”
