Ocean science technology company, Sonardyne Asia Pte. Ltd., Singapore, has announced that its Ranger 2 underwater acoustic positioning technology has been selected for six new Chinese scientific research vessels. The major order, announced during the OI China exhibition and conference in Shanghai, follows news last month that the Polar Research Institute of China has also purchased Ranger 2 for its new 122 metre polar exploration vessel.
Delivered to Sonardyne’s in-country agent, China ORE, the Ranger 2 USBL (Ultra-Short BaseLine) systems will allow the position of scientific equipment deployed from each ship including; ROVs, towed equipment and seafloor landers, to be precisely tracked in any water depth. Ranger 2 will also be interfaced with each vessel’s dynamic positioning (DP) system for precise station keeping during science operations.
The new vessels are being built in response to China’s 13th five-year social and economic development plan and will be operated by institutes across China. When they enter service, each will undertake a broad range of science including; oceanography, marine ecology and geophysics.
Ranger 2 calculates the position of an underwater target by measuring the range and bearing from a vessel-mounted transceiver to a transponder attached to a vehicle or item of underwater equipment. Sonardyne’s exclusive wideband acoustic signal technology and 6G (sixth generation) hardware platform allows multiple targets to be simultaneously and precisely positioned to ranges beyond seven kilometres.
USBL system positioning performance can be seriously degraded by poor transceiver mounting and deployment so China ORE has selected Sonardyne’s through-hull deployment machine for each vessel. The design, validated on hundreds of vessels, features a stiff, corrosion-resistant pole and reliable hydraulic actuation with safety interlocks, sea chest for access, and remote control options.
Speaking during the OI China event, [blockquote author=” Qi Zhengyu, Director of China ORE”]”These new ships will enable our scientists to carry out vital research into urgent issues including monitoring the impact of polar ice melt on climate change. Sonardyne’s Ranger 2 is a key enabler for this work as it has the flexibility to meet the sustained observation needs of science users working in coastal and deep ocean waters.”[/blockquote]
Geraint West, Global Business Manager, Oceanographic with Sonardyne said that the company was very much looking forward to supporting China ORE through the delivery, installation and commissioning of this highly significant order. He added, [blockquote author=” Geraint West, Global Business Manager, Oceanographic with Sonardyne”]”This latest order serves to underline Ranger 2’s standing as the USBL system of choice for Chinese research vessels.”[/blockquote]
For more information on Ranger 2 USBL, please click here
Brazil’s most advanced ROV support vessel (RSV), the Fugro Aquarius, has specified acoustic positioning technology supplied by Sonardyne Brasil Ltda., to support its subsea inspection, repair and maintenance activities in the region.
Already delivered and fully commissioned, the Ranger 2 Ultra-Short BaseLine (USBL) system is being used to track the precise position of the vessel’s Work-class ROVs in water depths of upto 3,000 metres. It is also providing the vessel’s dynamic positioning (DP) system with position reference data to allow it to remain on-location whilst survey operations are underway.
Launched in 2015, the 83 metre long Fugro Aquarius has been designed specifically for the Brazilian market with over 60% of local content. This April, Petrobras awarded the vessel a one year contract to carry out work including subsea video and data acquisition, site investigations and asset integrity monitoring.
For their new vessel, Fugro specified that the Ranger 2 be configured with Sonardyne’s deep water optimised GyroUSBL 7000. The unique design of GyroUSBL incorporates a USBL transceiver and high survey-grade inertial sensor in the same unit. This combination increases precision by eliminating common sources of system error such as lever arm offsets, pole bending and ship flexing.
Deployed through the hull using a Sonardyne-built machine, GyroUSBL calculates the position of the vessel’s two Fugro-built 150HP ROVs by measuring the range and bearing to the Wideband Mini Transponder(WMT) fitted to each vehicle. Small and lightweight,
WMTs offer reliable tracking performance in crowded offshore environments where multiple vessels frequently conduct simultaneous operations in close proximity to each other.
[blockquote author=” Barry Cairns, Regional Head of Sonardyne Brasil Ltda.”]”it demonstrates their commitment to investing in the best available subsea technology for their IRM operations offshore Brazil”, adding, “We’re confident they will quickly see a return on that investment in the form of faster and more efficient survey operations and greater vessel utilisation.”[/blockquote]
For more information on Ranger 2, click here
Doppler Velocity Log (DVL) technology from Sonardyne Inc., Houston, has been selected to help navigate Canada’s flagship undersea research vehicle, ROPOS. The order for a 4,000 metre depth rated, 600 kHz Syrinx DVL was placed by the Canadian Scientific Submersible Facility (CSSF), the not-for-profit corporation who operate ROPOS, following a trial to evaluate its capabilities. This concluded that Syrinx was able to maintain, and regain bottom lock over a wide range of altitudes and seafloor terrains including soft fine sediment and rugged steep slopes close to hydrothermal vents.
ROPOS (Remotely Operated Vehicle for Ocean Sciences) is a modular Work-class ROV which can be reconfigured to operate at different depths and from different size vessels depending on the science mission. In the setup Syrinx has been chosen to support, ROPOS is a free-flying 4,000 metre rated vehicle equipped with HD cameras, powerful lighting and a comprehensive suite of environmental probes, sampling skids and sensors.
Sonardyne’s 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 up to 50 percent higher than conventional 600 kHz DVLs with the high resolution performance of a 1200 kHz DVL, all whilst navigating over undulating and challenging terrain of any type.
Alongside its class-leading precision and accuracy, Ethernet and serial output 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 science teams to simultaneously share the output from Syrinx.
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, CSSF selected the 4,000 metre rated, corrosion resistant titanium model for ROPOS. It will be fitted to the vehicle’s dedicated navigation instrument skid which keeps any offset errors between sensors to a minimum,
[blockquote author=” Vincent Auger, IT and Navigation Manager at CSSF “]”Our first dive with Syrinx installed on ROPOS was on an active hydrothermal vent site in the Indian Ocean. The bottom there is very rugged; essentially as rugged as it gets, but Syrinx coped with the challenge very well and demonstrated reliable bottom lock throughout the mission.”[/blockquote]
[blockquote author=” Kim Swords, Senior Application Engineer with Sonardyne in Houston”]”We’re delighted that CSSF is the latest scientific organisation to recognise the ownership benefits offered by our new Syrinx. It takes away the need for DVLs of different operating frequencies, it is deeper rated than its rivals and it has lower servicing costs thanks to innovations such as individually replaceable transducer capsules.” She added, “And given the strength of international currencies against Sterling at the moment, our UK-manufactured Syrinx represents excellent value for money.”[/blockquote]
For more information on Syrinx, please click here.
Photo credit: Ed McNichol (CSSF)
Maritime security company, Sonardyne International Ltd., UK, has supplied forward-looking sonar technology to MARSS Group of Monaco for a 120 metre-plus private vessel that was recently delivered to its new owner in Europe. The announcement was made on the opening day of SMM in Hamburg, where Sonardyne is exhibiting on Stand 124 in Hall B6.
The NOAS (Navigation and Obstacle Avoidance Sonar) system was specified for the unnamed vessel to allow it to explore remote, poorly charted places with the assurance that potentially hazardous underwater obstacles can be identified and avoided. The contract also included the supply of Sonardyne’s market-leading diver detection sonar, Sentinel. This complements the NOAS installation to enable the detection of underwater intruders approaching the vessel when stationary.
Integrated into the vessel’s MARSS Group NiDAR command and control system (C2), NOAS images the water column over a wide field of view to offer long range detection and mapping of the seabed, delivering reliable early warning of collision and grounding hazards. When shallow water or an obstruction is detected, NOAS automatically alerts the crew to the danger in order that they can take avoiding action.
NOAS has multiple imaging modes to suit both open water cruising and shallow water, close-in manoeuvring. In 2D mode, the system aids navigation by continuously monitoring 180 degrees in front of the vessel for underwater objects up to 1.5 kilometres away. When sailing close to shore and approaching harbours, NOAS’ 3D mode creates a highly detailed image of the seabed directly ahead of the vessel, displaying water depth and terrain information on an interactive 3D moving map. Uniquely, NOAS stores the sonar imagery for the terrain it has recently passed over, enabling users to instantly explore alternative routes without the need for re-scanning should a sudden change in course be required.
The compact design of the NOAS sonar assembly enables it to be fully enclosed within the bulbous bow of a vessel with nothing protruding external of the hull to affect hydrodynamic performance. This makes the system particularly suitable for retro-fitting into existing vessels and unlike similar forward-look sonars, NOAS can be serviced and maintained without the need for dry docking.
For this project, Sonardyne’s Sentinel diver detection sonar was also integrated with the vessel’s NiDAR installation of ship-mounted cameras and radars to provide a comprehensive off-board surveillance capability. Should any underwater intruders approach the vessel whilst it is in harbour or moored in a secluded bay, the crew will be immediately alerted to their presence, speed and direction – even what type of diving equipment they are wearing.
[blockquote author=” Nick Swift, Sonardyne’s Business Manager for Maritime Security”]”Inaccurate nautical charts and unmarked underwater obstructions represent a major threat to all types of vessel including expeditionary cruise ships, large yachts and military ships. This is where our NOAS underwater forward-looking sonar technology provides a solution, vastly improving the situational awareness for captains and their crews.”[/blockquote]
[blockquote author=” Rob Balloch, Senior Vice-President Sales for MARSS Group “]”MARSS has been associated with the Sentinel sonar and the Sonardyne team for many years and we’re proud to be the launch customer for their new NOAS. Integrating it with the other vessel sensors in our NiDAR command and control platform provides a turnkey-solution that enhances vessel safety and security.”[/blockquote]
For more information about NOAS, click here
The international science community’s newest ocean research platform, a deep-rated remotely operated vehicle (ROV) called SuBastian, will be positioned and navigated using acoustic and inertial technologies supplied by Sonardyne Inc., based in Houston. Built by the Schmidt Ocean Institute (SOI), a private non-profit operating foundation located in California, SuBastian will provide scientists from around the world with new opportunities to explore and study the ocean. Capable of diving to 4,500 metres, the vehicle has been equipped with a state-of-the-art equipment package that includes a reconfigurable payload skid for deploying and recovering experiments, a 4K Ultra-High Definition camera capable of streaming live video to the surface and a comprehensive suite of scientific sampling sensors. Following a survey of the deep ocean research experts that make up SuBastian’s Science Advisory Group, the need for both accurate and multiple means of subsea navigation was identified as a priority mission requirement. The group commented that provision of the best available integrated acoustic and inertial navigation sensors underpinned the scientific value of the observations and data gathered by SuBastian. When SuBastian enters service this summer, it will be operated from SOI’s research vessel, Falkor, which has been operating with Sonardyne’s Ranger 2 Ultra-Short BaseLine (USBL) acoustic positioning system since 2012. During that time, the system has provided scientists with the ability to track equipment down to abyssal depths in excess of 5,000 metres. Based on their extensive track record with Ranger 2, SOI and Sonardyne worked together to configure an integrated navigation solution for SuBastian. This resulted in the supply of a SPRINT Inertial Navigation System (INS), Syrinx 600 kHz Doppler Velocity Log (DVL) and a Wideband Mini Transponder (WMT), all of which is compatible with the Falkor’s existing Ranger 2 topside hardware.
[blockquote author=” Kim Swords, Senior Application Engineer with Sonardyne in Houston”]”SuBastian is the first vehicle in the world to be equipped with a full spread of our Ranger 2 USBL, SPRINT INS and Syrinx DVL technologies. We’ve worked closely with SOI to configure the optimum subsea navigation solution for SuBastian so that when it begins to acquire data for the international science community later this summer, it will do so with the highest precision possible.”[/blockquote]
Now in its third generation, Sonardyne’s SPRINT exploits the long-term precision of acoustic positioning with the continuous availability and fast update rate of inertial sensors. This combination provides robust vehicle positioning during periods of challenging acoustic conditions and helps to improve sensor data quality and vehicle control. Uniquely, SPRINT supports dual gyrocompass and INS operating modes, meaning that SuBastian’s pilots and science teams will be able to rely upon its output simultaneously. Its new, lightweight titanium housing also provides valuable space and weight savings that can instead be used for scientific payload or samples. SuBastian is also now one of the first research vehicles in the world to benefit from Sonardyne’s recently introduced Syrinx DVL. DVLs are an important element of any ROV’s navigation system as they enable the vehicle’s velocity and distance travelled to be measured. When tightly integrated with INS, acoustic and depth observations, a true estimate of the vehicle’s position can be calculated. Syrinx differs from other DVLs in that it offers high altitude (up to 175 metres) navigation capability normally only available from a 300 kHz DVL with the high precision and accuracy of a 1200 kHz DVL. Its adaptive bottom lock has been demonstrated to provide consistency and reliability over challenging and changing seafloor topography, which together with its high update rate, will enable SuBastian to undertake complex missions in any environment. Completing the navigation suite for SuBastian is WMT, a high-power USBL transponder built upon Sonardyne’s latest 6G (sixth generation) wideband acoustic architecture that provides robust, high update rate positioning in any water depth, shallow or deep.
Marine salvage specialists, Eggers Kampfmittelbergung GmbH, has completed its first project using underwater acoustic tracking technology supplied by Sonardyne International, UK, during an operation to dispose of unexploded ordnance lying off the German coast in the Baltic Sea.
Working in water depths of between just six and 15 metres, the Mini-Ranger 2 Ultra-Short BaseLine (USBL) system was used to track divers as they surveyed the seabed, recording the location of potential targets before safely clearing the area of metal objects and old ammunition.
Mini-Ranger 2 boasts a number of features that makes it ideal for nearshore operations on small, quiet vessels that need survey-grade positioning without the cost and complexity associated with a deep water USBL solution. It can simultaneously track 10 targets at very fast update rates, it is quick to install and has an operating range of 995 metres, extendable to 4,000 metres.
For its first mission using Mini-Ranger 2, Eggers deployed their USBL system from a survey barge moored 500 metres off the coast. Specialist clearance divers were each equipped with a Sonardyne WSM 6 transponder attached to their back, whilst over the side of the barge, a HPT 3000 acoustic transceiver was deployed on a pole.
In shallow water, acoustic signals being reflected off the seafloor and sea surface creates noise interference which can make reliable tracking a challenge. Mini-Ranger 2 overcomes this problem thanks to the excellent noise rejection properties of HPT 3000 which is optimised to provide stable performance in shallow water, at high elevations as well as in deeper waters. Ethernet connectivity makes installation straightforward, whilst in-built diagnostic tools allow users to tune system performance in difficult conditions.
During each dive, supervisors in the control cabin on the barge used Mini-Ranger 2’s software display to guide divers around the site as they inspected different targets and prepared them for removal. The system’s high-speed acoustic communication link enabled each diver’s distance, bearing and depth relative to the barge to be updated up to three times per second, providing a valuable extra layer of operational safety.
Jan Wommelsdorff, managing director at Scholz Ing.-Buero GmbH, Sonardyne’s German agent, said, “Egger’s decision to invest in Mini-Ranger 2 was made only after a detailed comparison of its capabilities against competing USBL technologies. Now after using it for the first time, it’s clear that the system will indeed increase the speed and efficiency of Egger’s underwater operations in North Sea and Baltic Sea as well as inshore.” He added, “With the Baltic mission complete, Mini-Ranger 2 is ready for its next assignment which is likely to involve tracking a towfish as well as more divers.”
For more information on Sonardyne Mini-Ranger 2 USBL, click here
Underwater communications equipment that enables video to be transmitted through the water and unmanned vehicles to be controlled without a tethered link to the surface, has been supplied to the Korean Research Institute of Ships and Ocean Engineering (KRISO) by Sonardyne Asia Pte. Ltd. in Singapore, and its Korean reseller, Insung.
The BlueComm 100-series optical modems will be used to stream high-definition imagery from cameras installed on seafloor sensor platforms and command ‘Crabster,’ an autonomous walking and flying crab-like robot being developed by KRISO’s ocean systems engineering department.
Transferring data using subsea modems provides a reliable alternative to using cables underwater which can be expensive to install and vulnerable to damage. However, unlike conventional acoustic-based devices that use pressure waves to send and receive relatively small packets of data at low bandwidths, Sonardyne’s BlueComm uses rapidly modulated light emitting diodes (LEDs) and high power lasers to quickly deliver very high volumes of data.
Typically operating in the 450 nanometer Blue Light region of the spectrum, data rates of up to 500 megabits per second are achievable making the technology suitable for a wide range of underwater applications that require a high bandwidth, low latency, bi-directional communications link. These include harvesting data from seabed landers using AUVs, remote video monitoring of science operations and piloting unmanned vehicles without the need for a control umbilical.
When deploying battery-powered subsea instruments and vehicles, operating life is always a major consideration for users. BlueComm’s unique method of optical data transmission is however, also highly efficient, enabling for example, one gigabyte of data to be transmitted with the energy contained within a single lithium ‘D’ sized cell over distances greater than 150 metres.
The BlueComm modem family is currently made up of three variants and to support its work, KRISO has selected the BlueComm 100 model. Featuring Ethernet connectivity and a deep depth rating, the design is optimised to offer a good balance between data rate and range in all conditions, including high ambient light.
Commenting on the contract, Anthony Gleeson, Vice President of Sonardyne in Singapore said, “Now that it’s possible to send and receive data underwater at speeds comparable to domestic broadband, it’s exciting to consider the huge range of potential applications for BlueComm.” He added, “KRISO are the first institute in our region to invest in BlueComm and we are delighted that this unique technology will help to advance their pioneering ocean research.”
For more information on BlueComm, click here.
Sonardyne’s Sentinel diver detection system reliably detects, tracks and classifies divers and small underwater vehicles approaching waterside facilities, alerting security personnel to the potential threat
The announcement was made by UK-based maritime security company, Sonardyne International Ltd UK, following the award of a contract to service the Sentinel Intruder Detection Sonar (IDS) system that helps safeguard the high profile facility from unauthorised access from the sea. The scope of work includes the supply of extra sonar sensors to monitor an additional stretch of coastline and updating the existing in-water sonars to the latest design specification.
Whilst security measures such as CCTV, radar, access control and motion sensors are proven, cost-effective options for protecting inland locations, sites located close to water remain vulnerable to unauthorised intrusion from the water, and in particular, from below the surface.
Sentinel – The Worlds Most Deployed Diver Detection Sonar
Helping to close this surveillance gap is Sentinel IDS, widely recognised as the security industry’s most extensively deployed sonar. It meets the requirements of private, commercial, government and naval end users by reliably detecting, tracking and classifying divers and small underwater vehicles approaching a protected asset, alerting security personnel to the potential threat. Whether it is protecting a critical infrastructure facility, offshore platform, sea port or superyacht at anchor, Sentinel’s autonomous monitoring capabilities, long range detection and proven low false alarm rates provide a rapidly deployable, 360° underwater security solution for any marine asset.
Andrew Winstanley, Sales Manager – Maritime Security for Sonardyne in the Middle East “The relative ease with which a diver intent on causing harm can enter into a restricted area such as a commercial port or nuclear power station, continues to expose major weaknesses in the security policy planning of organisations around the world. He added, “We are delighted that Sentinel IDS has provided our client with uninterrupted protection for the past six years. Our engineers will soon be on-site undertaking the programme of work that will ensure the system continues to deliver peace of mind and reliable performance for many more years to come.”
For more information on Sentinel please click here
Bordelon Marine, providers of vessel services to operators in the Gulf of Mexico and around the world, has selected acoustically-aided inertial navigation technology from Sonardyne Inc., Houston, for its new Ultra-Light Intervention Vessel (ULIV), Brandon Bordelon. The dual Ranger 2 Pro DP-INS systems, the highest specification available, will be used to track ROVs during inspection, repair and maintenance (IRM) activities and provide an independent position reference for the vessel’s Marine Technologies Class 2 dynamic positioning (DP) system.
The Brandon Bordelon was delivered at the end of 2015 and is currently under a 60 day contract with Tidewater Subsea. Designed to support complex IRM operations, the vessel features a high capacity deep water crane, infrastructure for two Work-class ROVs and a large, reconfigurable back-deck area.
Specialised vessels such as the Brandon Bordelon, conventionally rely on Ultra-Short BaseLine (USBL) acoustics and the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) as their primary sources of DP reference data. However, a vessel’s station-keeping capability can be compromised in the event that the USBL is affected by thruster aeration or noise and the GNSS signal is simultaneously interrupted. The latter is particularly common around equatorial regions and during periods of high solar radiation.
Sonardyne’s Ranger 2 Pro DP-INS system addresses this operational vulnerability. It aids vessel positioning by exploiting the long term accuracy of Sonardyne’s Wideband 2 acoustic signal technology with high integrity, high update rate inertial measurements. The resulting navigation output has the ability to ride-through short term acoustic disruptions and is completely independent from GNSS.
In addition to the system’s deep water positioning performance and safety benefits, DP-INS has been proven to deliver valuable time and cost savings for vessel owners. It does not need a full seabed array of transponders to be installed and calibrated before subsea operations can commence. For most subsea tasks, positioning specifications can be met with only one or two transponders deployed on the seabed. Additionally, as the system needs only occasional aiding from the acoustics, transponder battery life is substantially increased and the need to task an ROV to deploy and recover transponders for servicing is reduced.
The equipment supplied to Bordelon Marine included Sonardyne’s ship-mounted inertial navigation sensor and two HPT 7000 acoustic transceivers. The HPTs have been installed on the Brandon Bordelon through-hull deployment poles and are optimised for tracking and dynamic positioning in ultra-deep water.
[blockquote author=” Wes Bordelon, President/CEO Bordelon Marine”] “Equipping the Brandon Bordelon with Sonardyne’s Ranger 2 DP-INS, reflects our commitment to providing hi-tech, hi-spec equipment on our fit-for-purpose Stingray vessels and ensuring our fleet is safe, efficient and cost-effective.[/blockquote]
[blockquote author=” Ralph Gall, Technical Sales Manager, Sonardyne Inc”] “Ranger 2 DP-INS is a mature, field proven technology that addresses operators’ need for a robust, independent DP reference that provides an update rate and accuracy on par with GNSS. The Brandon Bordelon joins a significant fleet of vessels which depend upon our acoustically-aided inertial technology for safer and more efficient dynamic positioning operations.”[/blockquote]
For more information on Sonardyne’s Ranger 2 DP-INS click here.
The Danish Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation (DALO) has procured high resolution imaging sonar technology from maritime security company, Sonardyne International Ltd, UK to support its country’s Mine Counter Measure activities. The Solstice side-scan sonar will be fitted to Saab Seaeye’s Double Eagle SAROV and used to search for and classify mine-like objects on the seabed.
Denmark’s naval forces are internationally recognised for their expertise in the detection, classification, identification and disposal of mines and ammunition at sea. They conduct both domestic and international operations as part of NATO, and have at their disposal specialised ships, containerised command and control facilities, diving equipment, autonomous surface craft and unmanned underwater vehicles.
Designed for use on a variety of underwater platforms, Solstice is a low-power, compact side-scan sonar that uses full dynamic focus and multi-ping integration techniques to gather high fidelity imagery of the sea floor beneath it, fully corrected for vehicle motion.
Saab Seaeye’s Double Eagle SAROV enables autonomous mine reconnaissance missions over vast areas to be conducted. Using Solstice, operators will now be able to view high definition side-scan imagery and bathymetry in real-time without the need for time-consuming, post-mission data analysis. If a contact is identified, the vehicle is able to deliver a disposal charge before moving away to a safe distance to allow the mine to be destroyed
[blockquote author=” Ross Gooding, Business Development Manager, Sonardyne Maritime Security”] We are delighted that DALO has selected Solstice to support Danish MCM operations. During evaluation trials led by Saab, we were able to demonstrate how its proprietary technologies are able to increase the operational envelope of underwater vehicles by providing wide swath coverage, long endurance and very high resolution imagery.” He added, “We now look forward to supporting DALO during the installation and commissioning phase of project.”[/blockquote]
For more information about Solstice, click here.