The Irish might be known worldwide for their love of Guinness – that black drink with its creamy white top – but don’t mention that to a man from Cork who will tell you the locally brewed delight called Murphys (same colours but completely different taste) is the favourite in this southern port – home to the Irish Naval Service at their Haulbowline base. It’s also as clear as black & white that Cork Harbour has seen some dramatic changes since the Anglo-Irish treaty of 1922 stipulated that Ireland would be given responsibility to police its own customs and fishing. The United Kingdom however was to remain in control of Irish Waters. In those days, the newly formed Irish Coastal & Marine Service with its one and only ship, the CMS Muirchu, (formerly the British Gunship ‘Helga’) proceeded to sea on patrol. By 1938, the Royal Navy withdrew from Cork (and two other ‘treaty’ ports) and a few more pints of Murphys’ were raised in celebration.

The Crest of Irish Naval Services

When World War 11 began in September 1939, the Marine & Coastwatching Service was set up but it was obvious that if Ireland was to remain neutral, Eire would need its own full naval service. When the war ended, this Service was renamed the ‘Irish Marine Service’ and in September 1946 that in turn was incorporated into the Irish Defence Forces: the beginning of the country’s modern Naval Service.

The first formal training of Irish Naval Cadets actually took place at the Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth, United Kingdom but Eire now had three warships, each named after figures in Celtic Mythology – the Cliona, Maev and Macha and the fact that cadets still had to train in England was not an issue – the Irish were now totally in control of their own waters.

‘Underwater Robots…’

Those Irish waters are deep: very deep. So if you have to explore this underwater world that can register depths of 4,000m, you not only need well trained divers but additional technology that allows you to overcome severe weather conditions and the limitations of air diving depths.

You need an ROV or Remotely Operated Vehicle.

This is the common accepted name for tethered underwater robots in constant use these days by navies and the offshore oil & gas (O&G) industry. An ROV is unoccupied, highly manoeuvrable and is operated by a controller on board a vessel. They are linked to a ship by a tether – often referred to as the umbilical cable – which can comprise a series of cables serving electrical power, video and data signals. Some use hydraulics – others have sonar, cameras, cutting arms or other devices fitted. From sensors to water samplers – what you add to your ROV is initially dictated by the role it must achieve.

The Irish Naval Service was quick to face the challenges of this new technology and became the first client user base in Ireland for Side Scan Sonar and ROV’s. Forward thinking by the Irish Government saw their fleet equipped with the Sub Atlantic Cherokee S/N 007 for various offshore naval operations: supporting divers in Search & Rescue operations and other tasks carried out using established methods and practices. That system is still in use today.

The sonar and ROV systems were quickly integrated into naval routines and team training at Cobh’s Haulbowline base in Cork Harbour guaranteed that the Naval Service built up excellent operating experience on this equipment - incorporating offshore exercises and technical maintenance training. The sonar and ROV equipment in service with the Irish Naval Service over the past 5 years has allowed wide area searches for rapid target detection and clearer classification of seabed located objects and debris: the ROV being equipped with both manipulator and camera viewing capability. Divers none-the-less still play a significant role within naval operations: the sonar and ROV being additionally supportive to operational objectives - particularly in diverse conditions where personnel safety is a major priority.

‘A Growing Awareness In Ireland…’

In recent times in Ireland, a growing awareness of a need for new design, lower cost and high performance with proven underwater equipment is clearly being detected. Those in charge of operating off Ireland’s west coast continental shelf and other deep sea regions in water depths that can reach 4,000m have also determined that the latest technological training in the theory and operation of newly developed sensors and platforms (sonar & vehicles) is essential to effective performance in the field.

Back in the 60’s, the U.S Navy funded most of the early ROV technology. By the 80’s, ROV’s became an essential part of the world’s new offshore development. In the mid–80’s however, a global economic recession and a drop in the price of oil led to the serious stagnation of ROV technological development. Today, all of that has changed. These days, some of the world’s most sophisticated achievements in the design and manufacture of ROV’s can be seen carrying out tasks that range from simple inspection of subsea structures, pipeline and platforms to connecting pipelines and placing underwater manifolds. They are used extensively both in the initial construction of a sub-sea development and subsequent repair and maintenance. Submersible ROVs have been used to locate many historic shipwrecks, including that of the RMS Titanic, the Bismarck, USS Yorktown, and SS Central America. In some cases, such as the SS Central America, ROVs have been used to recover material from the sea floor and bring it to the surface.

The potential application and suitability of work class ROV’s (developed for the Oil & Gas (O&G) industry for the most part) has created interest within the Marine Institute Galway for the potential operational deployment from their research vessels RV Celtic Voyager (31m) and RV Celtic Explorer (65m).

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The Marine Institute in Galway Ireland.

The Marine Institute in Galway is Ireland’s national agency responsible for Marine Research, Technology Development and Innovation (RTDI). They seek to assess and realise the economic potential of Ireland's 220 million acre marine resource; promote the sustainable development of marine industry through strategic funding programmes and essential scientific services; and safeguard the country’s marine environment through research and environmental monitoring.

The Institute was set up under the 1991 Marine Institute Act with the following role:

“to undertake, to co-ordinate, to promote and to assist in marine research and development and to provide such services related to research and development that, in the opinion of the Institute, will promote economic development and create employment and protect the marine environment”

‘Meeting Challenges With The Latest Technology…’

DIIA asked Don Mackay, Managing Director of Hydro Products (Scotland) for his opinion on how best governments, defence forces, research or scientific establishments could best meet today’s sub-sea challenges. As someone who entered the technology supply business in Ireland some 10 years or so ago, I asked him if he had noted any significant changes in the Emerald Isle.

“Well, of course,” he explained, “when I first came to Ireland, areas of interest were primarily in underwater systems to do with seafloor surveys, wreck site detection and salvage - generally in shallow coastal areas. At the time, one of the largest sea frontier surveys in Europe was in the planning and implementation stages. The Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI) based in Dublin, was the operations authority with a brief to collect the best possible seafloor bathymetry (and other environmental data) over a very large area covering coastal shallows to deep water locations, using vessels and services provided by the Marine Institute in Galway.”

He went on to say “Ireland is very fortunate in having the Marine Institute and as far as I am aware, the expertise of the GSI combined with the obvious marine excellence of the Institute produced very encouraging results over the 5 year period of that comprehensive survey project.”

“The most interesting development,” he continued “is that currently, we see encouraging signs for support of the introduction of a new generation of technological hardware together with related technical and operational structured training of personnel, essential to meet these opportunities in underwater projects - including O&G offshore needs in the near term and longer term future.”

Don’s Hydro Products are focussed on the wider uses for underwater technologies and related equipment, not yet in use in Ireland but having a background in other sectors such as offshore O&G and scientific marine laboratories.

Hydro specialise in:

Low cost Side Scan sonar

New generation Multi-beam sonar

New generation and fully developed ROV (remotely operated vehicle) system equipment

AUV robotic technology

High performance Marine Weather Forecasting and Oil spill prediction systems.

The potential applications for these products include environmental projects, scientific & marine operations, oil, gas, survey, mapping, search & rescue and salvage. With cost in mind, any country or organisation who are potential users of ROV capability will no doubt be aware that today’s technology has resulted in designs ranging from small Observation Class ROV’s to larger Work Class ROV’s often with deep water capability (up to 6,000m).

tms

SUB ATLANTIC MOWHAWK - WITH A TETHER MANAGEMENT SYTEM (TMS) FOR DEEP WATER OPERATIONS, OPERATIONAL LAUNCH & RECOVERY FROM A SUBSTANTIAL SURFACE VESSEL.

A work class ROV with manipulator, sonar and viewing systems can provide close range inspections of the seabed and surrounding areas.

There are variations of work class ROV’s ranging from the heavy and very large hydraulic powered to the smaller, lighter and perhaps more adaptable electrically powered vehicles.

For deep water operations it is essential to have a full deck space allocated to a Launch & Recovery winch / ”A” Frame and tether Management System (TMS) on the vessel. This is often a major consideration when a “vessel of opportunity” specification has to be considered - for stability, space, weight and crane loading stress has to be accounted for.

The Observation and small Work class vehicles are designed to be compatible with use on a “vessel of opportunity” which may have limited deck space and launching ability available. There are numerous examples of fast track mobilisations of ROV’s onto vessels, the smaller more compact electric powered ROV’s are the most successful under these circumstances.

Work packages on skid frame attachments have been developed to cater for most requirements in the U/W operations sector – developed out of the O&G industry over years of real action project work. Hydraulic manipulators with mini-power packs are developed for use in small work class electric powered ROV’s.

Umbilical design has changed dramatically by the use of high voltage (3,000VAC) and 400Hz power transmission from surface to vehicle. Use of Fibre Optic conductors is now widespread. Sensors using Ethernet data communications is now common practice in these new generation vehicles. Sonar and other sensors have been developed to interface with the new vehicle designs from manufacturers.

Don Mackay told me, “The O&G industry is fast setting foot in Ireland - but contracting in from the UK and other countries to provide specialist heavy work class ROV’s for construction and seabed pipeline installation phases.”

“Of course, Irish based ROV capability exists well into the future with Inspection, Repair and Maintenance (IRM) operations where smaller and more adaptable ROV / AUV systems can be more attractive from a cost and operational viewpoint. This is where an opportunity exists to enhance local (Irish) revenue generation and also to enlarge on the experience of ROV / AUV pilot personnel, trained in Ireland and operated out of Ireland.”

Looking at such establishments as the Marine Institute, GSI, Coast Guard, Irish Lights, Universities of Galway, Cork and Dublin, it was easy to understand why the ROV world were ‘delving deep in Irish waters.’

‘Robotic Submarines at 6,000m?’

“Don,” I asked. “You mentioned AUV pilot personnel?”

I had visions of 2 men mini-submarines back in the Second World War.

“Well,” he laughed, “you could be closer to the truth than you think.”

“These days, ROV & AUV technology even covers mine clearance.”

Don explained that an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) is a robot which travels underwater but is not tethered to a vessel. Sometimes called Unmanned Underwater Vehicles, these devices are powered by batteries or fuel cells and can operate in water as deep as 6000 meters. Advances in propulsion systems and power source technology give these robotic submarines extended endurance in both time and distance. With the latest camera and computer technology, the pictures you receive from these vehicles give you a better view most times of what’s going on down there than if you were sitting astride the robotic sub.

Although not currently operational, there are several designs of AUV that are capable of subsea intervention (interaction with subsea structures) as opposed to fly-by data collection. The development of subsea processing in deep and ultra deep offshore oilfields and their cost of maintenance will be the most likely drivers to make these vehicles routinely operational.

Primarily oceanographic tools, AUVs carry sensors to navigate autonomously and map features of the ocean. Typical sensors include compasses, depth sensors, sidescan and other sonars, magnetometers, thermistors and conductivity probes. A demonstration at Monterey Bay in California in September 2006 showed that a 21 inch diameter AUV can tow a 300 feet long hydrophone array while maintaining a 3 knot cruising speed.

“Are AUV’s in use in Ireland?” I asked Don.

“The physical introduction of AUV’s to Ireland has not been evident to date as far as I am aware,” he said. “It is recognised however, that AUV technical expertise does reside in Ireland (generally within University Campus) but the lack of AUV system hardware has limited the opportunities for real project planning offshore.”

“The principal reason is that of the “speciality factor” associated with AUV designs at the present time. This is not unique to Ireland; it is a general truth in the market place universally. Hydro Products aims at making AUV technology available to Irish based users. This is possible with the co-operation of those with vision of where the advantages do exist in the offshore arena.”

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GAVIA AUV - IN LAUNCH PREPARATION FROM A BEACH - SHALLOW WATER SURVEY

Coastal surveys and RIB launch - In shallow waters to 200m.

GAVIA AUV has depth ratings to 2,000m and up to 6,000m rating to order.

Gavia AUV is used for deep water survey with Side Scan and Bathymetric sonar modules fitted. Positioning is by INS/DVL sensors.

The particular AUV’s which are most suited to Ireland’s coastal and deep water survey requirements are in the small AUV class. There are two such manufacturers, one in USA the other in Iceland. The Iceland AUV is named GAVIA and is included in Hydro’s product & systems catalogue.

Gavia’s AUV is a modular vehicle of overall dimensions that are approx 2m long by 800mm diameter.

Each module is connected to the other by a patented “quick lock” twist and turn action.

The modules are designed to be interchangeable with each other so the operator may select any particular sensor module suited to the project in mind (e.g. sonar module, bathymetric module etc..).

Gavia is battery powered by Lithium cells (1.2 KWh capacity) in a battery module which can be recharged or replaced quickly with a charged module. Durations will vary depending on the sensor duty cycle, the vehicle speed and the battery state of charge.

However, an average is approx 6 to 14 hrs as being typical. Gavia has a speed of up to 6knts max.

Gavia communications with surface control base are:

- surface by WLAN, Iridium

- underwater by acoustic modem.

Applications:

Shallow water coast line surveys 1m to 200m

Deep water surveys to 2,000m (special systems to 6,000m)

Seafloor bathymetry survey

Seabed Side Scan sonar survey

Video/stills camera visual survey

Pipeline survey and inspections

Trenching surveys

Environmental data collection – sampling and CTD

Various scientific operations

Naval vessel operations

These AUV’s can be effective in deep waters where there is a need to identify marine targets: where hull mounted sonar cannot achieve the resolution required. Gavia has the ability to auto track in auto altitude or auto depth, depending on the project. In pipeline surveys Gavia is about to demonstrate auto pipeline tracking simultaneously with bathymetry, a very interesting combination of capability for pipeline/cable route tracking and inspection for the O&G sector.

Accurate positioning is achieved either by GPS on the surface and LBL U/W system with a vehicle mounted transponder unit or by INS/DVL using a military grade RLG and Kalman filter system in a special INS module. Accuracy achieved is better than 3m / hour drift rate.

‘Under The Arctic Ice…’

A recent project under ice in the Arctic was successfully completed using upside down vehicle attitude control - the bathymetric sonar looking upwards with a stills camera to view the old and new ice formations: all measured in 3D. The Gavia carried a GeoSwath wide swath sonar module (GeoAcoustics,UK ), collecting detailed bathymetry and side scan data from the underside of the Arctic ice sheet.

The AUV was deployed from the Applied Physics Laboratory Ice Station 2007 (APLIS07), which has been built in the Beaufort Sea approximately 500 km North of Alaska, as one of the first events of the International Polar Year 2007-8: a substantial international effort designed to gather much needed information about the polar ice caps for global climate modelling.

The 2.6 m long by 20 cm diameter AUV was launched through a 3m by 1m hole melted through the ice, and sent on a series of short out-and-back survey missions from the ice hole. For this survey the Gavia flew on its back so that the camera, GeoSwath mapping sonar and Doppler velocity log (DVL) were looking upwards. The survey team were fascinated by the haunting photographs returned by the Gavia showing the spring sun shining through the 3m thick ice sheet.

First indications are that the bathymetry and side-scan data collection was fully successful, with only small changes required in the GeoSwath post-processing routines in order to cope with the Gavia AUV's inverted flying. Gavia's on-board DVL-aided Inertial Navigation System (INS), which monitored the movements of the vehicle with respect to the drifting ice for the survey operations, also coped remarkably well with this fairly unusual deployment.

The mission to APLIS is part of an ongoing research programme led by Professor Peter Wadhams, Head of the Polar Ocean Physics Group, Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics (DAMTP), Centre for Mathematical Sciences, University of Cambridge (UK). This research is aimed at investigating the ability of airborne ice thickness measurements to truly reflect the volume of the ice contained in areas with complex cracking and ridging, and also at understanding the structure of ridges and why they are melting so fast. This could have a significant impact on the accuracy of parameters used in climate change modelling. The ability of the GeoSwath sonar to generate a 3-D digital terrain map of the ice underside allows significant new advances to be made in understanding the nature of the ice. The survey results are currently being analysed at the Polar Ocean Physics Group, with a view to publication in scientific journals in the near future.

Don told me that “It is planned to arrange and perform a trial with a Gavia vehicle in Ireland later in 2007 or early 2008 by arrangement with various potential users. Launch and recovery will be by beach deployment or RIB or other small vessel. Plans are in hand to offer a sub surface deployment “cage” for exit/entry underwater and recovery to mother vessel by a lift winch.

Discussions on this plan will commence in near future. It is also planed to conduct discussions with the National Maritime College of Ireland with a view to training on AUV topics.”

The National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI) is a joint project between the Cork Institute of Technology and the Irish Naval Service. It is located in Ringaskiddy, County Cork, Ireland. The Institutes of Technology Act 2006 will see the college becoming a school of the Cork Institute of Technology. The college provides a range of maritime qualifications, including at academic degree level, and its facilities can accommodate 750 students.

The college cost approximately €50 million when opened in October 2004 and is one of the first public private partnership type projects in education in the Republic of Ireland, and will result in a 25 year contract held by Focus Education Ltd.

The college facilities are amongst the most modern in the world. For the training of deck department personnel there is an array of bridge simulators, including a 360 degree model and a 270 degree model. Workshops are provided for ropework and other deck associated skills, and simulators are provided for GMDSS training and cargo work. Engine department trainees avail of a fully functional engine room, which includes diesel engines, oil purifiers, air compressors, sewage treatment plant, fresh water generators and other equipment found on board ocean going vessels. An engine room simulator is used to train personnel in watchkeeping, teamwork and process management. Common facilities include the survival training pool, helicopter dunker, lifeboats and firefighting training facility. Machine workshops are utilised to train engineers in turning, milling, grinding, welding and the use of hand tools for fabrication. There is an extensive marine library on site, but with limited access for the general public.

In September 2006, King Harald and Queen Sonja of Norway visited the NMCI, while on a state visit to Ireland, to promote maritime links between Cork and Oslo.

‘Remarkable Multi-beam Sonar…’

Countries that are heavily involved in or dependent on their marine environment have a great deal of new technology to consider and possibly take on board. It all changing and improving so fast.

Recent advances in acoustic imaging from a Canadian company Imagenex Technology Corp. has produced a remarkable multi-beam sonar named DELTA T. (DT)

Recent operational use by Bath University in UK, confirmed the effectiveness of Delta T sonar in locating certain varieties of Algae in Arctic waters

Delta T is in two forms:

Imager multi-beam

Profiler multi-beam

These sonar have an attractive specification:

Small size and weight and compact design

Excellent resolution and frequency selection

Low cost – almost 1/10 of other multi-beam sonar

Adaptability to fit to small class ROV’s

Able to be mounted in dual head mode for pole mount deployments over-side

The sonar is software controlled and all updates in spec are by S/W change rather than hardware change (expensive). In the O&G sector there are trials ongoing to use quad arrays (4 x transducer heads) from an ROV, giving full swath seafloor coverage simultaneously with close range pipeline visualisation: extremely valuable to offshore survey engineers in routine inspections of pipelines. Additionally, the Delta T multi-beam sonar has a real time 3D display of the area being surveyed. This image can be frozen and measurement taken whilst data collection of profiles continue. Post processing of the raw data is performed by 3rd party conventional processing readily available from a number of sources.

The Delta T Imager multi-beam has been used for ROV pilot aiding, when an ROV is launched it comes under the effects of currents and wave actions near the surface, the mechanical scanning sonar is too slow to identify a target in such dynamic circumstances. The Delta T Imager has a scan approx 5 to 10 times per sec and so captures the image allowing the pilot to reach his position quickly.

The Delta T Profiler has applications in seafloor bathymetry, seafloor debris identification, wreck detection (in co-operation with SS sonar), pipeline and cable route seabed profiling. Delta T can be used in harbours from a small vessel to chart dredging operations, creation of bathymetry mapping and contour mapping.

Depth ratings are in 300m to 6,000m range for transducers. The system can use a single or dual transducer array configuration on ROV or for over-side pole deployments in shallow water operations.

‘Ireland – At The Centre Of High Resolution Weather Forecasting…’

Since the formation of Nowcasting International in 1998, this company – based in Ireland - has grown to become a world leader in the provision of marine weather forecast services to offshore industries and recreational mariners alike.

Nowcasting International established itself through providing high resolution forecasting tools to the Offshore Oil & Gas sector in the North Sea. Organic growth and carefully chosen strategic partnerships have allowed Nowcasting International develop into a world leader in marine forecasting. The Irish Naval service was instrumental in their operational development by way of operational feedback from offshore activities. The product has matured greatly as a result and is a respected forecasting service throughout the O&G industry which relies heavily of course on accurate and consistent weather data.

The group also offers an additional product for oil spill prediction and uses the NCI high resolution weather data as an input. Various oil types and quantities are inputs as are locations and timings etc….this allows the sophisticated models to predict the positional changes of an oil spill over time, it also give the predicted effects of oil boom or skimmers when placed in particular locations to limit the damage effects.

The product is known as OIlMAP. There is also a similar concept model for Search and Rescue operations where personnel might be located in particular circumstances and affected by sea currents and wind/wave conditions around the coast and offshore. This product is known as SARMAP .

Nowcasting offers a full suite of global meteorological and oceanographic forecasting solutions to meet the specific needs of all professional maritime industries. Their forecasting solutions include:

High Resolution Forecasting - 48 hour range

General Forecasting - 3,5, 7 and 10 day range

Current Forecasting

Wave Spectrum Analysis

Hindcasting

Aviation Forecasting

West African Thunderstorm Forecasting

Oil Spill Modelling

Nowcasting can also provide 24 hour telephone access to experienced duty meteorologists for increased visibility of developing weather conditions during all weather sensitive operations.

The company provides its unique and innovative met-ocean forecasting solutions to a global client base that includes the following professional maritime sectors:

Offshore Oil & Gas

Coastal Engineering

Ports and Harbours

Fast Ferries

Traditional Ferries/Cargo Vessels

Fishing Vessels

There’s a lot of research going on at the moment. Projects include:

The European project WASA: set up for verifying, or falsifying hypotheses of a worsening storm and wave climate in the Northeast Atlantic and its adjacent seas in the present century. Its main conclusion is that the storm- and wave climate in most of the Northeast Atlantic and in the North Sea has undergone significant variations on time scales of tens of years.

The Stowasus Project: showing that over the past 10-20 years or so there has been an increasing public as well as scientific concern, that storm activity was increasing along the North Western European area and that this change was related to global warming. Due to its large impact any changes in the mean or fluctuations of storm activity in the North East Atlantic (NEA) region could well be the most important manifestation of climate change and variation in the European region.

Nowcasting International and its partner Wilkens Weather Technologies have also opened a new Weather Forecast Centre in Aberdeen. This new step in their collaboration shows Nowcasting and Wilkens’ strong commitment to continuing their development in the North Sea and to delivering services to all of Europe from their Aberdeen Weather Centre.

Nowcasting International established themselves in the North Sea market with a range of new services focusing on Operational Planning, and has built up a very successful business with the operators, supply companies, construction and dive companies. On the back of this business, the company set up a partnership with Wilkens Weather Technologies of Houston, Texas. For three years now, under the banner of NowcastingWilkens, this business has grown very strongly. A year ago Andy Swan was appointed as senior forecaster in Aberdeen, and the business has progressed very well to the stage that NowcastingWilkens have now formally opened their Weather Forecast Centre in Berry Street in Aberdeen city centre.

“Wilkens Weather Technologies is 30 years old this year and we are delighted that our partnership with Nowcasting has allowed us to take this step up into the European sector. We have 26 dedicated marine forecasters working 24x7x365, and the Aberdeen weather Centre will now offer local service in business hours and will eventually provide 24x7 service locally,” said Richard Wilkens president of Wilkens Weather. “We are delighted with the progress of our business in Aberdeen and Europe and in particular with the reaction of our customers to the quality of our forecasts and customer service” he continued.

While the North Sea has seen high levels of activity over the last two years there has been much upheaval in the Weather Forecasting business in Aberdeen. In the last year some of the established weather forecast companies have withdrawn from Aberdeen, in this context it is significant that NowcastingWilkens are affirming their commitment to Aberdeen and the North Sea.

“We have tried to bring some new thinking to the market in terms of quality of forecast information, excellent customer service, good value, but in particular with a range of Operational Planning Tools to assist our customers with their decision making. There’s quite a difference between being swamped with information and being provided with clear concise decision support tools. This has been a key to our success to date” continued Mark White, CEO of Nowcasting International.

Tim Mawhood, UK Sales Manager for Nowcasting has been responsible for the development of their Aberdeen business, “Technology allows us to ‘see the weather’ almost anywhere on the globe from any location, however, we know that in major centres like Aberdeen, local service adds comfort and credibility, and that is a core part of our philosophy.”

For the last two years M. Mawhood has put his Royal Navy experience to good use. “My experience at sea allows me to understand precisely the problems our customers face and to deliver services that help them deliver more efficient and safe service for their customers and staff.”

NowcastingWilkens also offer services to the Energy sector in the Gulf of Mexico/Central Americas, The Mediterranean, West Africa, Sakhalin Island and all Basins globally where high quality offshore forecasting is required.

But once again, you have to return to Ireland to find their state of the art offices coordinating global coverage outside Ennis, Co Clare.

From state of the art offices outside Ennis, Co. Clare, Ireland, Nowcasting International coordinates global coverage of its marine weather forecast services.

However, there is a lot of work that remains to be done. More than half of the earth’s ocean is deeper than 3000 meters, which is the current working depth of most of the ROV technology. The deeper half of the ocean has never been explored. This vast area has the potential to meet much of humanity’s needs for raw materials. As the industry advances to meet these challenges, we will undoubtedly see further improvements in high tech sub-sea robots, underwater imaging techniques and global weather forecasting.

New ships are scheduled for the Irish Naval Service. New challenges are being taken on and over future weeks our magazine will be carrying further ‘in-depth’ reports on the country, its Defence Forces and the various ways that – armed with this new technology – the Irish are assisting communities worldwide. That Celtic Tiger is certainly on the move again and our pages will be tracking her progress.

Contact web sites are :

Technology supplier for ROV, AUV, Sonar, Weather forecasting services

Hydro Products Ltd., Scotland - Contact Don Mackay, Director. Email: Don1mack@aol.com

Sub Atlantic Ltd, Scotland (ROV Manufacturer)

www.sub-atlantic.co.uk

Hafmynd Ltd, Iceland. (Gavia AUV Manufacturer)

www.gavia.is

Imagenex Technology Corp, Canada. (Delta T and Sonar Manufacturer)

www.imagenex.com

Nowcasting International, Ireland (Weather forecast services)

A Defense Interaction Intelligence Agency Special Report

Providing Subsea Solutions

February 2011

Expertise in Cutting-Edge Unmanned Underwater Technology

At a time of major defense reviews & imminent budget cuts by many governments and military departments plus global cost saving exercises being put into force by private sector corporations and the scientific community, choosing who is best to provide you with reliable and affordable solutions to your sub-sea projects or problems requires even more careful thought than usual. You can’t afford to make costly mistakes. Where do go to seek expert advice on unmanned underwater vehicles or gain useful and current knowledge on the sub-sea industry in general for that matter? Who is in a position to offer you the optimal solution for (or rental of) AUV’s, bathymetry equipment, sonar sensors or even advice on reliable marine weather forecasting? The solution may just be available from Hydro Products, Scotland. info@hydro-products.co.uk

Gavia AUV’s have been used in lost vessel searches by the Coast Guard, by the military as they seek to identify and deal with mines and for under ice surveys with scientific users as well as operators in the O&G sector.

The benefit of working with Don Mackay of Hydro Products is obvious. First of all, Don has established an impressive reputation over many years within the underwater world of sub-sea technology:

(a) Providing reliable and cost effective advice to other sub-sea companies supplying defense, commercial and scientific technology, to his own clients carrying out naval and maritime security operations, private sector concerns involved with sonar survey, as well as marine establishments and universities engaged in research, environmental studies and archaeological projects.

(b) He has purposely developed a list of experts: ‘partners and associate companies’ that he either represents or works closely with to ensure that he can offer a wide range of the most advanced products, systems, services and training opportunities that you will need to complete your project.

(c) One might say that Hydro Products is the key to a global sub-sea technology gateway involving a number of underwater disciplines.

(d) Last but most significantly, Don offers a personal service to his clients by providing cost effective and efficient technology solutions to his underwater operations clientele. Reports suggest that he simply ‘gets the job done’ to everyone’s satisfaction.

Take Hafmynd of Iceland, one of Don’s representatives. Not content with advising clients on this advanced and flexible new generation underwater vehicle package (which has many hours of successful worldwide operations behind it) and gaining orders for the system, Don has gone out of his way to educate the market about the possibilities of Gavia AUV. What’s more, Don has been quick to identify the most pressing issue now facing AUV operations: the current lack of trained and experienced AUV operator pilots. Hydro Products intends to look into how this might be addressed as the use of AUV's becomes more intensified. Since the introduction of a Gavia Rental Pool, the need for experienced operators is much increased and so is a priority of all involved. It is a pre-requisite that any Gavia operator will require a certificate issued by the manufacturer Hafmynd in order to pilot the AUV in operations. Training courses are available for this purpose for new potential recruits.

GAVIA OFFSHORE

http://www.gavia.is/

The Gavia vehicle has been in development since 1997 when the Gavia program was started as a joint development with the University of Iceland. Hafmynd was incorporated in 1999. Since then, numerous Gavia vehicles have been sold to military, commercial and scientific users including Iceland, Australia, Denmark, Portugal, United Kingdom, Canada and the United States as of 2010.

The idea of a Special Rental Pool all started in 2005 in Baku when a major O&G Operator requested the use under contract, of the Gavia AUV for pipeline and general area survey operations. Results achieved were high level and laid the tracks for further development of, not so much the core Gavia vehicle but more of the sonar options and other additional sensors to include auto tracking control, sub bottom profiling. These were developed since then to be integrated with Gavia to widen the scope of capability for small vehicle AUV operations in shallow waters.

Gavia has now been fitted with upgraded side scan sonar and improved GPS positioning with the near term integration of a chirp based parametric Sub Bottom Profiler sonar to compliment the Interferometric Bathymetric sonar already part of the hull module sensor units available for purchase or rental. Additionally, the Gavia has had an Autotracker module and S/W developed by SeeByte which allows the vehicle to lock on to a pipeline target and automatically permits Gavia to follow the pipeline route unaided by the mission planner. New environmental sensors are being introduced for pipeline leaks etc by adding a leak detector "sniffer" sensor. The company is looking to add in to the design instruments which will measure the cathodic protection existing along a pipeline and are also considering an option to acoustics for sub bottom profiling based on industry accepted methods. Resistivity Measurement is also under consideration using a special module under research. Deep waters have special requirements and Gavia has designs for deep water deployments using special cage system concepts so that the vehicle can descend to and from depths of 2,000m or more without the need for long duration dives from a mother vessel. This allows for maximum battery life and mission durations and also provides deep water positional accuracies for the Gavia at the start of its mission plan at depths to 2,000m.

In the oil & gas sector, Gavia has successfully performed various underwater projects such as coastal surveys around the UK and in water depths of 10m or less where measurement of Drilling Rig leg scouring due to high sea currents, exist and must be accurately measured in three dimensions. A recent project for another major Operator in the North Sea had great success when Gavia acquired a high volume of bathymetric data in an extremely short time period without the necessity for a surface vessel. The cost savings were substantial for the client over other methods. The usefulness to a client of a relatively small but highly sophisticated AUV is apparent when a combination of the Manufacturer and an experienced Survey Contractor join forces by full co-operative activity to achieve the end users specified requirements.

Finding the Alexander Hamilton

Gavia operation with Icelandic Coast Guard, ICG Cutter Ægir in background

US Coast Guard Cutter Alexander Hamilton was found by the Icelandic Coast Guard with the aid of a Gavia AUV, 67 years after being torpedoed by a German U boat in January 1942, while escorting a convoy to Iceland. Within sight of land, the final resting place of the Treasury Class US Coast Guard Cutter Alexander Hamilton WPG-34, was finally identified during an Icelandic Coast Guard operation utilizing a Gavia AUV early September 2009. This was the first US loss in the Atlantic after the Pearl Harbor attacks on December 7th, 1941. Shortly after receiving a new aircraft with specialized pollution detection equipment in July 2009, the Icelandic Coast Guard detected traces of oil on the surface invisible to the naked eye in an area not known to contain any wrecks. Soon thereafter a survey vessel was dispatched to the area which did a multibeam sonar survey using a relatively low frequency system which while surveying large swathes of the ocean bottom, does not provide much resolution on contacts. However this survey did reveal an uncharted wreck. As a result of these findings a subsequent operation was planned with the Icelandic Coast Guard Cutter Ægir in order to identify the wreck and to try and obtain higher resolution side scan sonar and bathymetric data from a Gavia AUV and video footage from an accompanying Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV). On 31 August, 2009, In spite of windy conditions and sea state 4 -5 it was decided to press on with the operation due to Icelandic Coast Guard vessel availability. The Gavia AUV was operated from a RIB from the ICG Cutter Ægir. Small boat ops in these conditions were quite challenging to the AUV operators, presenting both challenges for launch and recovery and to a greater extent the visual relocation of the vehicle even with a known GPS position of the vehicle due to the high swells and limited visibility.

Photo: 500 kHz GeoSwath image showing clearly how the Hamilton is lying

Photo: Side Scan Sonar record of the Alexander showing gaping hole from torpedo strike and running gear (600 kHz Marine Sonics with 30m range settings)

The Gavia AUV that was utilized during the operation was equipped with a 600 kHs Side Scan Sonar also with a 500 kHz GeoSwath bathymetric module was employed as well. As the Gavia AUV is a modular system it was possible to insert the GeoSwath module when required. Navigation of the system was from a DVL aided Inertial Navigation System. From the data gathered it was possible to ascertain that the vessel is lying on its Starboard side roughly at a 45 degree angle in around 95 meters depth. It was also possible to see the evidence of the massive damage from the torpedo which left roughly an 11m long hole in the bottom of the ship. Further video data from the ROV of the ships’ running gear determined without a doubt that this was the Alexander Hamilton.

According to Capt. Halldór Nellet, Chief of Operations, Icelandic Coast Guard, “The Gavia AUV proved to be a powerful tool in the Icelandic Coast Guards identification of the Alexander Hamilton providing us with a clearer picture of the vessel in its entirety including the damage sustained and how the wreck lies on the sea bottom through high quality side scan and bathymetric data from a man portable platform and was a valuable asset in this operation.” The finding of the Alexander Hamilton is historically significant as it was the first ship lost by the US in the Atlantic, just one month after the US became embroiled in the Second World War after the attacks on Pearl Harbor, and for the fact that 20 men that were killed during this torpedo attack went down with the ship. The Hamilton was originally presumed to have gone down considerably to the south of the position where she was found.

Arnar Steingrimsson, Marketing Manager at Hafmynd stated, “Hafmynd Ehf is pleased to have been able to play a role in this discovery of the Alexander Hamilton in conjunction with the Icelandic Coast Guard and to properly mark the final resting place of these twenty US Coast Guard sailors. We thank the men of the Hamilton and countless others for their service and the sacrifices made by them and their families during this dark time; you are not forgotten.”

DIIA wishes to thank the US Coast Guard and Hafmynd, Iceland for the valuable assistance with images of the Alexander Hamilton.

GAVIA SCIENTIFIC

Pavilion Lake Research Project

Pavilion Lake Research Project “Photos above - Courtesy Donnie Ried”

The Pavilion Lake Research Project (PLRP) is an international, multi-disciplinary, science and exploration effort to explain the origin of freshwater microbialites in Pavilion Lake, British Columbia, Canada. Fossil microbialites represent some of the earliest remnants of life on ancient Earth, and were common from ~2.5 billion to 540 million years ago. Today, microbialites are found in environments where conditions are often too harsh for most organisms. However, the microbialites in Pavilion Lake have provided a new environment for the scientific community to study that demonstrates that large, and uniquely shaped structures can also occur in non-extreme environments that also support fish, plants and other species. The microbialites of Pavilion Lake are relevant to our understanding of ancient microbialites that were once common and diverse on early Earth, as such, Pavilion Lake has become an exciting field site for Earth scientists and astrobiologists who are interested in the application of the PLRP research to the search for life in our solar system and beyond.

Photos above: Comparing multibeam bathymetry collected with University of Delaware AUV ‘DORA’ with detailed imagery from UBC-Gavia.

Photo below : Gavia Operations at Pavilion Lake (Courtesy of Donnie Ried)

The University of Delaware Gavia AUV conducted a number of missions with affectionately named DORA (short for Delaware Oceanographic Research Autonomous underwater vehicle), the AUV is approximately 9 feet long and weighs about 176 pounds. It uses sonar sensors and other gauges to gather all types of vital information such as acoustic “pictures” and water quality data such as salinity and temperature. The University of British Columbia (UBC) also used a Gavia AUV to collect some impressive imagery results.

The beauty of Dora is a design that lets researchers swap out its sensor modules depending on the kind of data they want to collect. “A lot of AUVs are already doing survey applications in deep waters, but they are school bus sized,” DIIA was told. “We’re talking about a completely different approach, a very small, modular device that can go anywhere in the world and can operate in very shallow waters.”

PLRP is funded by the CSA CARN program and NASA MMAMA program. Additional funding provided by NASA ESMD Analogs, NASA ASTEP and Nuytco Research. Previous support for the program has also been received from the NASA Spaceward Bound Program, the National Geographic Society, and McMaster University.

GAVIA DEFENCE

Defense Reviews & Budget Cuts

Throughout the world, in today’s economic climate, governments and navies are seriously looking at ways to minimise the cost of their respective operations. Some nations have nuclear powered submarines: many deploy conventional boats. All need to train their sonar operatives.

submarines.-imindefPars-0009-TextImage.imindefParstextimage.gif.jpg The Archer-class submarines of Singapore’s Navy for instance were acquired from Sweden in 2005. They were designed and built as single-hull, double compartment submarines, optimised to reduce noise and magnetic signature. The Archer-class submarines are also equipped with an Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system, which enables them to have longer submerged endurance and lower noise signature, thus improving the submarines' stealth capability. Equipped with an advanced sonar system, the submarines are able to detect contacts at a farther distance; the torpedo system aboard also has a better target acquistion capability, allowing the submarines the ability to engage contacts at a farther range.

Deploying such a vessel on a training exercise soon has costs escalating to meltdown levels so any alternative is an attractive option. The Hafmynd Gavia AUV has had a special design of nose cone developed and manufactured, the purpose being to generate and replicate ships noise characteristics for training for its AUV’s - generating ships noise characteristics for training submarine sonar operatives in detection of vessels of all types, without having the expense of provision of full submarine and other equipments. This device has been used in defence forces trials successfully; the Gavia module hull design approach has enabled a cost effective solution to this otherwise very expensive application.

The Gavia Defence AUV is a self contained, low logistics survey tool capable of delivering high quality data while operating from vessels of opportunity or even from the shore. The multi-mission and modular construction along with the ability to carry a variety of sensors makes the Gavia Defence especially well suited for defence and law enforcement applications. With field swappable modules, a single Gavia vehicle is a powerful tool that can be configured to conduct varying types of missions as requirements change, including Mine Counter Measures (MCM), Anti Submarine Warfare (ASW) training, rapid environmental assessment (REA), surveillance, search and recovery, and other applications where usability and ease of deployment is the prime consideration.

The Gavia AUV is stored in small cases that are both Fed Ex shippable and easily transportable by a van or pickup truck to operational site. The Gavia can be operated by two people and does not require specialized equipment for launch and recovery which is typically done from either the shore or small inflatables.

Gavia Defence Features

* Self-contained survey system operated from a vessel of opportunity

* Fully modular, field swappable modules

* Highly mobile and packs into FedEx – or similar - shippable cases

* Quick mobilization / demobilization. No installation or calibration of peripherals required

* Small logistical footprint with no specialized equipment required to operate the system

* Easy to use chart-based graphical user interface for mission planning, execution and review

* Compatible with a variety of third party post processing packages including SeeTrack

* Over the horizon communications through Iridium satellite comms.

* Wide array of additional sensors available

* All data time synchronized and stored in manufacturer’s original format, all vehicle logs in an open format

* Additional modules can be purchased as mission requirements evolve

Typical Defence & Law Enforcement Applications

* Mine Counter Measures (MCM)

* Anti Submarine Warfare (ASW) training

* Rapid environmental assessment (REA)

* Surveillance

* Search and recovery

* Port security

* Specialized payloads

During the Cold War, quiet Soviet submarines operating in deep water were often detectable by passive acoustic (listening) technology: similar tactics were used by Russia to detect Allied subs. Modern submarines operating on batteries and new air propulsion technology are even quieter, and since they operate in the complex shallow water environment, much harder to detect. Passive sonar systems are rendered ineffective in this environment. Water currents, temperature, and salinity variations bend acoustic sonar waves in complex patterns. Rocky features of the ocean floor and debris such as sunken vessels create sonar returns that can be mistaken for a submarine operating near the bottom. Reverberation of sound in rocky areas can camouflage sonar returns. Shipping noise creates additional confusing signatures that must be sifted through. Active sonar is affected by these factors, making real-life training vital to the expertise of Navy sonar technicians.

With the end of the Cold War the proliferation of smaller, inexpensive, extremely quiet submarines in the last decade has created a renewed emphasis on the development and use of sonar to counter this serious emerging threat. Geopolitical considerations suggest that future naval engagements are more likely to be fought in coastal waters rather than in the deep ocean. These shallow waters, known as the "littoral," are much more acoustically complex than the deep ocean areas, and present new challenges for the detection and targeting of submarines. Once sonar technicians have identified a submarine sound, they try to determine the type of submarine from characteristic tonal frequencies, and the bearing of the target. To confirm the submarine's proximity, and to more effectively track its movements, the ship may turn on the active sonar for short periods of time. Unfortunately, active sonar also betrays the host ship's position, so active sonar is used sparingly. In fact, 90% of sonar use by the U.S. Navy is passive sonar. To put Navy active sonar use in perspective, it is important to note that, of the U.S. Navy's approximately 280 surface ships, only 58% are equipped with mid-frequency active sonar. About half of these ships are underway at any given time, and for each ship, active sonar is turned on only a small percentage of the time (during certain types of training and maintenance activities).

In future years, small AUV’s operating in shallow and deep waters will be used more and more by submarines and surface vessels to detect underwater threats. Those tasked with homeland security, protection of ports and search, rescue and recovery will increasingly turn to AUV’s and various types of sonar systems in their day to day operations. The use of an AUV fitted with the latest sonar, sensors and imagery equipment can dramatically reduce costs for both naval engagement and training missions. Let’s face it, if you lose an AUV in war, in a counter-terrorism scenario or regrettably due to an unforeseen accident – it’s going to be far easier to replace that a submarine or surface ship.

Imagenex

Our underwater world however is not the exclusive property of global defense departments. There are thousands of civilian organizations, corporations, companies and scientific concerns who are constantly needing to identify underwater sounds (from passive sonar) or returns (from active sonar). Marine biological sound sources include whale vocalizations, dolphin clicks and whistles, snapping shrimp, and fish choruses. Other sound comes from underwater seismic activities (earthquakes, volcanoes), lightning strikes, heavy rain, and surface waves. Man-made sounds include commercial shipping and other ship sounds, oil dredges, air guns used in seismic mapping, and sonar itself. Many sources have higher intensities than sonar, and have a far greater prevalence. Sonar comprises a very small percentage of the sound found in the seas.

Don Mackay of Hydro Products confirmed to DIIA that one particular sonar product - the Imagenex Delta-T Multibeam - has been clearly accepted as a practical, compact, lightweight and low cost option to the very successful high end multibeams in common use currently. Imagenex sonar systems have been widely used in the offshore Oil & Gas industry for pipeline and trench profiling, also for cable laying and more recently, on Wind Farm location area surveys. Additionally, as cost conscious uses are now able to obtain high performance bathymetry data at a fraction of the traditional costs by use of the Delta-T multibeam sonar, it is now being used ever more regularly by offshore ROV and Plough system operators for confirming pipeline and trench positions and profiles including the small diameter cables positions on the seabed prior to burial etc ...

www.diia.info.jpg This is a 3D display in real time (waterfall display on screen) of an exposed pipeline on the seabed lying in a trench and partially suspended. This picture has rings superimposed, these are inserted automatically to allow easier understanding where there are suspensions along the pipeline and from rotating the image on screen it can be determined what height the suspension is by the measurement device tool within the software.

The S/W auto- locates the pipe across the swath and inserts these rings.

It may be possible for the same S/W to be used with very small diameter pipes or cables so that as the Multibeam sonar detects the pipe or cable, it automatically adds a ring to it. Observer then has a clear view of the pipe/cable in or out of the trenched area.

The Delta-T multibeam is a new generation sonar with many applications made possible by the compact dimensions and light weight, not to mention the low costs, of this latest design. Applications are for over-the-side pole deployment method for small boat operations, small ROV integrations and uses on RIB vessels as well as plough and trenching platforms. The markets exist are in seabed bathymetry (with measurements) in pipeline and trench surveys with real time screen display at the surface VDU units of the survey taking place. Object detection from ROV, AUV or from a RIB in defence operations such as in harbour intruder detection systems.

Don explained “One of the difficult areas of sonar use in detection and delineation (profiling) of targets is when the target is a shiny smooth surfaced, small diameter cable say of 4 to 6 inches diameter. The profiler sonar will detect the target usually only as a pin point(s) and display these points on the screen but it will not show a profile shape of the target. This is due to the highly reflected and dispersed acoustic energy away from the originating transmitted point (where the detector also resides). The net result is only a single point reflected acoustic return signal from the target surface normal to the incident pulse. The display therefore only shows a highlighted point signal which represents the range or distance of the target. This result in essence is the same no matter how high the transmitted frequency and so we must use this effect to advantage for pipeline and cable profiling and positioning.”

He went on to say “The Delta-T multibeam software has an option of providing a pseudo- "circle" image which automatically follows on screen the profile generated by the multibeam sonar acoustic energy return. This "circle" can be given a diameter representing that of the pipe or cable and can be overlaid on the screen display so that the circle represents the pipe or cable but using the point acoustic return as the position reference. In the Imagenex 3D software display on screen, the circle will look like a continuous pipeline or cable residing on a seabed or within a trench , thus displaying the reality of the target position with respect to other seabed artifacts. Wind Farm survey projects can make good use of this additive to the Delta-T multibeam sonar when shallow water visibility and difficult acoustic conditions are evident. The survey operator can then have improved confidence in his pipe or cable laying operations using this method of visualisation with

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Imagenex Delta-T multibeam sonar.”

DELTA-T Dual transducer pair Type 837A

– showing how new generation Multibeam sonar has benefited

– in terms of compact size & weight and… COST !

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Delta-T 837A Profiler Multibeam sonar - Dual head with Processor PC type 800

There are various types of systems available via Hydro Products of Scotland:

a) 300m range Profiler Multibeam sonar - type 837- 120KHz

b) 100m Multibeam Dual / Single transducer Profilers - types 837, 837A and 837B

c) Azimuth Drive multibeam sonar - for stationary platform operations requiring 3D image data for measurement and 3D display of target areas.

d) High resolution, high speed scanning Imaging sonar for close range imaging for ROV and other uses - type BFS 886/16 and BFS 886/32 and Delta-T 965 multi-channel Imager.

e) Dual head multibeam Profiling - 837A Profiler - for ROV inspection/ pipeline survey operations. Available in Quad assembly configuration also for large vehicle platforms such as Ploughs and Trenchers.

f) Trenching Profiling multibeam sonars - 837A and 837B Profiler sonar versions available for a multitude of configurations - including long copper conductor cables and FO cable use.

A new design of Profiler for very high resolution profiles is available - named the 831A (serial ) and 831L ( ethernet) sonars - Please contact Hydro Products for information.

Imagenex Shot 3.bmp

The Delta-T Multibeam Profiler sonar is available in 260KHz and 675KHz operating frequencies - the depth rating is 3,000m std but available to 6,000m if necessary as an option. The housings are available in Aluminium or Stainless Steel. The DT Multibeam Profiler sonar can be used Singularly or in Dual configuration depending on the target areas of the seafloor. Ex Seabed Mapping or Pipeline surveys….The DT Multibeam can be fitted to an ROV (even a small class vehicle) or used in an “over-the-side” configuration. Such is shallow water surveys with a small survey vessel or even a RIB . The power requirement is 24VDC at 5W each transducer assy. The communications is Ethernet (cat5 cable) and direct cable connections can be made from each transducer assy to the surface PC / Display. The display software allows Real-time display of the seafloor and measurements in 3D can be made. Data logging can be performed using standard acquisition and processing Software packages such as Hypack , QINSy , Caris, Eiva etc ..

DeltaTatCanadaPlaceShadowed(GoogleEarth)

Vancouver Dock – an unusual view courtesy of Imagenex.

High Resolution Weather Forecasting , Nowcasting (NCPRo):

Hydro Products is able to forward all enquiries to NOWCASTING INTERNATIONAL for the full range of services described herein...

The 3, 5, 7 and 10 day General Forecasting is supplied to clients worldwide using the Nowcasting Wilkens weather forecasting system, an Aberdeen based Forecasting Service linked with Nowcasting Ltd Aberdeen office location and supported by Forecaster services in Houston in addition to Aberdeen UK and the Ireland central base.

NCPRo is the product technology from NOWCASTING International Ltd based in Ennis, Co Clare, Ireland. The Company offers a unique approach to weather forecast delivery to a wide range of Marine sector clients, the system offers High Resolution (spatially and temporally), weather forecasting over 72 hours in sea areas around the North Sea ,Mediterranean, Gulf of Mexico and other regions. A high level of operator friendliness and interactivity with clear graphical displays is a feature of the NCPRo design. The present version of NCPro5 is available, to be upgraded to NCPRo6 soon, giving hi-res forecasting over 96 hrs period and including real-time weather data access, using latest display technology for PC and Laptop users.

For comprehensive details of the services provided by Nowcasting and NCPRo these are available from: info@hydro-products.co.uk.

HIRE of Equipment :

DIIA also confirms the RENTAL of Imagenex equipment is possible via Approved Rental Outlets and direct from Hydro Products for special system packaged configurations.

Office: Old Mill, Highwood, Whitehouse, Alford, Aberdeenshire AB33 8DP, Scotland. UK. Don Mackay, Director. Mobile: +44 (0) 77 14 28 34 35 Office Tel / FAX: +44 (0) 1975 563705 Email: info@hydro-products.co.uk Don1mack@aol.com Web : www.hydro-products.co.uk