CONTRACTOR NEWS

SOS Hyperlite Saves the Life of a Diver in Les Escoumins, Canada

FUGRO SURVEY LIMITED IS A ROSPA PRESIDENT'S AWARD WINNER

Fugro Survey Limited, Aberdeen, UK is celebrating winning one of the prestigious RoSPA Occupational Health and Safety Awards in 2010. The President's (13 consecutive Golds) Award will be presented at a ceremony at the Glasgow Hilton Hotel, on Wednesday 22 September 2010.

The RoSPA Awards scheme is not only about reducing the number of accidents and cases of ill-health at work; it also encourages organisations to develop robust health and safety management systems.

The majority of awards are non-competitive and mark achievement which is graded at merit, bronze, silver and gold levels. Organisations maintaining high standards can win gold medals, President's Awards and Orders of Distinction.

The RoSPA Occupational Health and Safety Awards 2010 are sponsored by NEBOSH (The National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health), the leading health and safety professional examining body.

For further information, please contact: Chris Mott, Commercial Manager on Tel: +44 (0)1224 257500 or Email: c.mott@fugro.com.

EDGETECH INTRODUCES NEW ULTRA HIGH FREQUENCY SIDE SCAN SONAR

EdgeTech has recently developed a new 600/1600 kHz frequency set for their popular 4125 Side Scan Sonar System.  This new frequency combination is part of a variety of enhancements that have recently been made to the 4125.  

The new 600/1600 kHz towfish was designed specifically for search & recovery, port security and small target identification applications.  The customer can now choose between this new frequency offering or the 400/900 kHz 4125 towfish, which is the perfect tool for shallow water survey applications.

For more information on some of the other new 4125 enhancements, please visit www.edgetech.com or contact EdgeTech them on +1 508 291 0057.  

SAAB SEAEYE ON THE MOON! 

NEW PERSONAL MONITOR FOR SUBMARINES BRINGS ANALOX DEAL WITH ROYAL NETHERLANDS NAVY

Analox Sensor Technology has launched the Sub Aspida, a new portable dual-gas monitor designed specifically for use in locations such as submarines where there are variations in atmospheric pressure.

At launch, Analox has also confirmed that the Royal Netherlands Navy have signed a contract for nine Sub Aspidas to be used on their fleet of four Walrus Class submarines.

Vicky Brown, Sales and Marketing Director – Analox Military Systems, said: "The Royal Netherlands Navy requires accurate dual-gas monitoring in a compact unit, in an environment which is prone to fluctuations in atmospheric pressure. The Sub Aspida addresses this need, and ensures the submariners remain safe whilst at work."

From March to May 2010, the Sub Aspida was tested by Lt Leppink of the Royal Netherlands Navy in the control room of a submarine.  He said: "We were very impressed with the Analox Sub Aspida.  One of its most important advantages is the pressure-correct read out which remained accurate even during rapid changes in the atmospheric pressure, making it a vital tool to have on board any submarine."

The Analox Sub Aspida is a compact, portable monitor capable of detecting both carbon dioxide (CO2) and oxygen (O2).  By combining continuous monitoring of partial-pressure O2 and the volume of CO2, the monitor is ideal for use on submarines.  With a pressure sensor incorporated, the Analox Sub Aspida is the only monitor which automatically corrects O2 and CO2 readings in relation to changes in atmospheric pressure, resulting in a more accurate and trusted reading.  This prevents spurious alarms caused by pressure variations typically found on board submarines. 

The Sub Aspida offers audible, visual and vibrate alarms.  Where silence is vital, the audible alarm can be disabled.  To ensure its practicality the unit is easy to use, rugged in design and comfortable to wear.  It offers 12 hours of battery life from one charge and can also be powered by a 9 volt DC supply.  The software enables easy configuration, calibration and downloading of data and also ensures optimum performance of the unit by informing what maintenance is required and when.

For more information about the Analox Sub Aspida, contact Vicky Brown on +44 (0)1642 711 400.

Analox Sensor Technology Ltd is based in Stokesley, North Yorkshire and specialises in the design and manufacture of gas analysers for military and commercial use. 

Bowtech Termination and Moulding Facility

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY

GEOACOUSTICS LAUNCHES ITS NEW DIGITAL SIDE SCAN SONAR "SONAR 2094 DIGITAL"

Sonar 2094 Digital is based upon the industry standard GeoAcoustics Dual Frequency Side Scan Sonar.  Around 1000 of these systems have been sold since their 1994 launch and hundreds of thousands of line-kilometers have been surveyed across the world's oceans.  The system is renowned for its data quality, ease of use, ruggedness and dependability.

Sonar 2094 Digital combines these features with the latest in digital technology to generate a giant leap in system performance: Simultaneous dual frequency, 114 kHz and 410 kHz; 24bit data acquisition offering a dynamic range that makes acquisition AGC and TVG obsolete thus providing repeatable results; Extended range performance through 20 MHz raw data sampling and dynamic digital filtering techniques; Improved resolution; Very long cable operation.

Sonar 2094 Digital incorporates the established 159D towfish design which is now equipped with new, fully digital electronics, supported by a wide bandwidth link to the new Digital Side Scan Transceiver deck unit.

The towfish can be supplied with attitude and/or depth sensors options as well as an RS232 channel for a magnetometer interface. Its standard depth rating is 1000 m with a 2000 m rated towfish available.

The Digital Side Scan Transceiver has an onboard Windows® PC for acquisition software installation and can be delivered with an inbuilt GPS interface.

Attractive upgrade paths are available for existing GeoAcoustics Dual Frequency Side Scan users.

Caption 1 'towfish Sonar 2094 Digital.jpg': 1.000m depth rated aluminium towfish of GeoAcoustics' digital side scan sonar "Sonar 2094 Digital".

For more information visit www.geoacoustics.com .

Haugesund Simulatorcenter buys FGRL's DeepTouch

Fugro General Robotics Limited (FGRL), the leading supplier of subsea simulators, has won an order from the Haugesund Simulatorcenter AS for a DeepTouch ROV simulator. DeepTouch will be integrated to run synchronously with a Kongsberg offshore vessel simulator providing a seamless operations training platform in Haugesund in Norway.

FGRL and Kongsberg Maritime have already designed the dynamics and control interface that will allow the two systems to share dynamic information. This will ensure that they remain in step with each other, both during a training mission, or subsequently as a mission is rewound to take participants through a detailed operational review after the event. For example, a trainee crane operator may drive the Kongsberg crane simulator to put the ROV over the side of the vessel, paying out umbilical cable from the winch. The umbilical payout is passed to DeepTouch which simulates lowering the TMS (tether management system) down to the right depth to carry out the mission. The ROV pilot will fly his vehicle to carry out the mission, talking to the crane operator and vessel supervisor as required to communicate mission critical information. Since the systems are dynamically linked, if the crane operator makes a mistake, and winches in the ROV umbilical unexpectedly the pilot will see his ROV pulled in response.

DeepTouch will be set up to work with a standard Argus ROV console in the Haugesund Simulator Center, but uniquely, it can also be switched to connect remotely to a DeepOcean Kystdesign Installer console located one mile away in DeepOcean's training centre. This requires a seamless interface between the local and remote consoles.

"This project marks a really exciting development milestone; the full integration between the Kongsberg Vessel simulator and FGRL's DeepTouch simulator requiring the amalgamation of two virtual worlds from different suppliers. This will allow full multi-disciplinary training to co-ordinate operations both above and below the surface," said Dr Jason Tisdall, FGRL Managing Director. "I believe that switching between local and remote consoles to maximise system productivity is also an Industry first."

Mr Soren Einar Veierland, Business Manager, Simulation & Training at Kongsberg Maritime said "Interfacing the FGRL ROV simulator with the Kongsberg offshore vessel and crane simulator completes the suite of simulators, allowing the Centre to offer the offshore industry a unique platform for mission planning and training of simultaneous marine and subsea operations through simulation".

Fugro GRL is a member of the Fugro group of companies. Fugro is listed on Euronext Amsterdam and is included in the AEX-index. Fugro has about 13,500 employees in more than fifty countries.

For more information visit www.fugro.com and www.fugrogrl.com

SOCIAL NETWORKING AND BESPOKE DESIGN – NEW HIGHLIGHTS OF ANALOX MILITARY SYSTEM'S WEBSITE

Social networking and bespoke design services are two of the new features in Analox Military Systems' (AMS) refreshed website.

As well as providing all the relevant information about AMS, the website aims to collate industry news and views and welcomes input and interaction from visitors to the site.  They are also invited to interact with AMS on twitter and the AMS blog.

The development of the website coincides with AMS' commitment to build on its expertise in life support solutions for the Naval Submarine Escape & Rescue sector.  As well as offering a wide range of standard products, the website also provides information and case studies about AMS' bespoke design service. 

Anyone interested in Analox's soon-to-be-launched Sub Aspida can use the website to find out more information, and register their interest.  The Sub Aspida is due to be launched in July 2010. 

To find out more, visit www.analox.net/military-analysers.php.
Analox Military Systems was launched in 2009 as a division of Analox Sensor Technology.  Analox Sensor Technology Ltd is based in Stokesley, North Yorkshire and specialises in the design and manufacture of gas analysers for military and commercial use. 

Analox Sensor Technology has been named a winner in the 'Best Business Awards 2009'.

BRIGHTEST UNDERWATER LED LIGHTING NOW 120VAC

Bowtech Products Ltd is pleased to announce the release of the LED-3200-AC underwater light to the AquaVision range of underwater vision systems.

The newest addition to our extremely successful AquaVision range is the LED-3200-AC. The first  commercially available LED 120VAC light  from Bowtech is retrofittable to existing 120V AC systems

A remotely dimmable LED array delivers a bright 3200 lumens white light which is ideal for colour video inspection or viewing tasks.

Utilising the latest quad cluster LED technology which generates more than four times the light output per Watt than an incandescent bulb without the vulnerability of fragile filaments drawing just 350mA per lamp.

The LED-3200-AC is extremely robust and highly shock resistant with an effective lifetime of over 100,000 hours.

The housing is manufactured from hard anodised aluminium, but Titanium and Stainless Steel are options for those specialised applications. Standard operating depth is 3000m and there is also a 6000m option available.

LED-3200-AC

For more information, please contact:

Mike Winstanley

Bowtech Products Ltd,                

Howe Moss Crescent,                 

Kirkhill Industrial Estate,       

Aberdeen, AB21 0GN

T: +44 (0)1224 772345

E: bowtech@bowtech.co.uk

W: www.bowtech.co.uk

SEETRACK COPILOT - THE POWER TO NAVIGATE

SeeByte, a leader in creating smart software for unmanned underwater vehicles, is pleased to announce the launch of SeeTrack CoPilot. This software incorporates the latest evolution of SeeByte's smart technology for dynamic positioning and enhanced control for Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) operations.

 "This is an exciting new addition to the SeeTrack product-range. Our experience improving ROV control systems has helped us develop the most comprehensive set of smart software tools to carry out improved survey, inspection and intervention work. With SeeTrack CoPilot our customers have, at their disposal, a revolutionary set of piloting tools that deliver complex operations at the touch of a button: from choosing where to move the ROV by clicking on a chart to laying-out a survey route with multiple waypoints that the ROV will move to automatically.  We also offer target tracking using new generation sonars so that the system can be made to station-keep relative to targets like pier legs, risers and buoys. This software is now globally accessible to ROV operators of both observation and work-class ROVs" remarked Ioseba Tena, Sales Manager for SeeByte.

"Our aim with SeeTrack CoPilot was to lend the pilot the support needed to fly the ROV in all conditions by automating and simplifying the ROV control. I am happy to say that we have met and surpassed our aim and as a result our customers are benefiting from improved productivity and better data. SeeTrack CoPilot has proven to be useful in challenging environments with low visibility and strong currents" commented Jon Wood Vice President of Operations for SeeByte.

  For more information, contact: Ioseba Tena, +44 (0) 131 447 4200 ioseba.tena@seebyte.com www.seebyte.com.

SONISTICS lauch SEApac LITE at NATO SMERWG:

ANALOX TO LAUNCH NEW PERSONAL MONITOR FOR SUBMARINES

13/05/10

Analox Sensor Technology has announced the launch in July 2010 of a new portable gas monitor designed specifically for use in changing atmospheric pressure on board submarines.

The Analox Sub Aspida is a compact, portable monitor capable of detecting both carbon dioxide (CO2) and oxygen (O2).  The combining of continuous monitoring of partial-pressure O2 and the volume of CO2 makes the monitor ideal for use by submariners. 

Vicky Brown, Sales and Marketing Director – Military Division for Analox Sensor Technology, said: "Monitoring levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide can be vital and the accuracy of those readings ensures the safety of the user.  The new Sub Aspida is designed to continue providing true readings despite any change in atmospheric pressure.  By offering this level of monitoring in a completely portable unit, submariners can carry on doing their work in full safety."

By combining the pressure sensor, the Analox Sub Aspida is the only monitor which automatically corrects O2 and CO2 readings in relation to changes in atmospheric pressure, resulting in a more accurate and trustable reading.  This prevents spurious O2 alarms caused by pressure variations typically found on board submarines. 

The Sub Aspida offers audible, visual and vibrate alarms which can be configured by the customer.  As silence is vital to the sub crew, the audible alarm can be disabled.  To ensure its practicality the unit is easy to use, rugged in design and comfortable to wear.  It offers 12 hours of battery life from one charge and can also be powered by a 9 volt DC supply.  The software enables easy configuration, calibration and downloading of data and also ensures optimum performance of the unit by informing what maintenance is required and when.

For more information about the Analox Sub Aspida, contact Vicky Brown on 01642 711 400.

Analox Sensor Technology Ltd is based in Stokesley, North Yorkshire and specialises in the design and manufacture of gas analysers for military and commercial use. 

Contact: Emma Hignett on 07968 409803

Triton Wins Lucrative New Contract

Monday, Apr 12, 2010

SUBSEA technology company Triton Group is celebrating after winning a six figure contract with the Ministry of Defence.

The deal will see Group member Sub-Atlantic, supply the MoD with specialist subsea surveillance equipment.

The revolutionary Comanche Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) will be used for multibeam survey and salvage work. The system is air portable so can respond quickly worldwide.

The contract win enhances Triton's position as an industry leader in the competitive subsea sector and highlights their commitment to producing ground breaking technology for all sectors of the subsea industry.

Sub-Atlantic General Manager, John Ferguson said:  "I'm delighted that the Ministry of Defence has selected the Sub-Atlantic Comanche to carry out their vital salvage work around our coastline and beyond.

"We're proud to be associated with the Ministry of Defence and look forward to a successful working relationship throughout this project.

"The highly acclaimed light work class ROV is a credit to the employees at Sub-Atlantic."

Sub-Atlantic also provided similar surveillance equipment to the Spanish Coastguard in 2008, as well as ROV components and other subsea products to the Russian military, the US and Australian navy thus demonstrating their global presence.

Formed in 2007, Triton Group is a diverse group of companies offering a range of products and services for the subsea energy industry. They are centred on engineering and technology, product manufacture and system integration, and operations support and services.

Hale Hamilton launches new website: click here for a tour.

Hale Hamilton is pleased to announce the launch of our new website www.halehamilton.com

After much discussion and market research the new site has been developed to help you and all our clients find exactly what you are looking for quicker and easier. The menu bar provides much enhanced information about the company, our markets, products and the support services we offer.

1. If you are a defence customer and you want to know exactly what we can do for you, you simply click on the Defence section from our homepage.

2. If you are an industrial customer and want to know again exactly what we can do for you, you simply click Industrial Section from our homepage.

3. If you are unsure exactly what you want you use our General Search on our homepage for a full overview of all our products and services.

The new Search feature in the right hand corner of the site is an easy way to find product information, just type a product code or name of product and the search will filter the results as you type.

There is also a Contact Us link so you can get in Contact with us if you cannot find what you are looking for you or there is a link for specific contacts within Hale Hamilton if you would simply prefer to speak to someone in person.

If you want to find out further information on our products this can be done simply by rolling over the Products tab which will enable you to click on the products you are interested in from the dropdown menu.

Tritech's Gemini 720i Imaging Sonar Reduces Operation Time For Marine Services

Marine Subsea (UK) Ltd. (formally TS Marine) recently underwent an abandonment* campaign in SNS locations where the shallow water depth, low visibility and strong currents provided a challenging environment for this type of work.

Gemini 720i's fast update rate and high resolution imaging contributed to Marine Services' reduced operations time, during Phase 1 of the campaign.

Gemini 720i's real-time imaging provided an excellent viewing platform to assist with the deployment of the Baker Hughes Well Head Abandonment Straddle Packer tool and the subsequent plugging of the well, to comply with Oil & Gas UK guidelines.

Gemini 720i was deployed on a Perry Slingsby XLS 150hp workclass ROV, supplied by underwater vehicle contractor Specialist Subsea Services (formally Oceanteam Subsea Services). The sonar's integrated sound velocity sensor and high resolution imaging provided the sharpest image with accurate ranging. This gave the ROV pilot a higher level of awareness in poor flying conditions. Gemini 720i's wide 120° field of view allowed the ROV pilots to fly the vehicle into confined spaces with greater confidence.

Grant Cowie, Subsea Team Leader, Marine Subsea (UK LTD) commented: "Gemini 720i has a greater and improved acoustic range and resolution capability compared to other multibeam sonars in the same class. Gemini's real-time capabilities allowed us to dramatically reduce operations time during phase one of our abandonment campaign in SNS."

Dave McKay, Divisional Director – ROV, Specialist Subsea Services also commented: "As an ROV contractor, we look to enhance our vehicles with the most efficient underwater tools, including sonar technology. Our pilots were extremely impressed with the operation of the Gemini 720i sonar and were able to maintain high quality service efficiency for our clients in near zero visibility conditions."

*To stop producing Oil & Gas from a well, and to plug well and salvage all material and equipment.

SOURCE: Tritech International Ltd.

Fugro GRL launches DeepTouch               

Fugro General Robotics Limited (FGRL), has launched DeepTouch its next-generation, ROV pilot training simulator which can also speed up the evaluation of subsea engineering designs.

DeepTouch brings fully force-modelled physics simulation to subsea and ROV simulators so that any object in the world model both feels and behaves like the real thing. For the first time, DeepTouch brings "touch and feel" interactive simulation tools that give the simulator pilot the same graduated tactile response as if he were actually using a tool, like a manipulator, to move or adjust a subsea component in the field.

Customisation is straightforward and programming skills are not required.  DeepTouch allows an engineer to drag and drop objects from the extensive libraries to build subsea worlds containing items such as vessels, pipes, cables and ROVs. DeepTouch can also show electrical and hydraulic circuits in complex subsea machinery, modelling down to great detail within the ROV itself, which makes it quick and easy to change, or even create a new vehicle design. DeepTouch simulation makes it simple to evaluate and change designs prior to manufacture and reduces reliance on expensive and time consuming prototypes. FGRL expects to attract orders for DeepTouch from within the Fugro Group and also from third party subsea services providers.

"DeepTouch heralds a new era in subsea simulation. Models can be as detailed as the hydraulic or electric circuits comprising the sub assemblies of an ROV or other tool system. At the same time this can interconnect with cables, tethers, vessels and other real world items all of which can be controlled, driven, and winched in realistic fashion," said Dr Jason Tisdall, FGRL Managing Director. "The resulting information is truly 3D and allows immersive documentation, live data recording, training and marketing material all to be built on real physics-based outcomes."

An important component of subsea tools are the hydraulic actuators, rotational and linear joints used in most tools. These units are built up to create robotic manipulator arms, like the Titan IV and RigMaster, and the same parts can be used to build up valves and other subsea components. Because the underlying circuits are fully modelled, it gives ROV pilot supervisors a complete overview allowing them to "break" individual circuits and individual components as a test of how well pilots understand their equipment. The supervisor can do this in real-time, or develop a problem scenario for trainees to resolve. Trainees can repeat a scenario until they get it right. The whole dataset and 3D world is recorded and can be returned to at any point for review.

Like its predecessor the ROVolution simulator, DeepTouch uses cost-effective PC hardware running Windows XP and existing ROVolution simulators can be upgraded to DeepTouch specification. DeepTouch is available now.

Fugro GRL is a member of the Fugro group of companies. Fugro is listed on Euronext Amsterdam and is included in the AEX-index. Fugro has about 13,500 employees in more than fifty countries.

For more information visit www.fugro.com and www.fugrogrl.com

Further information is also available from:

Dr Jason Tisdall
Managing Director
Fugro General Robotics Limited
Tel: +44 1908 224 670
email: j.tisdall@fugrogr1.com

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY FOR EXPERIENCED OPERATIONS MANAGER

Experienced Operations Manager with significant CONTRACTOR EXPERIENCE, possessing a sound knowledge of refinery, petrochemical, power industry maintenance and shutdown works for INDUSTRIAL WASTE SERVICES division.  This role will require travelling throughout the Kingdom in order to access and manage multiple locations.  CLICK HERE for further information:

FIRST IT WAS 10...THEN 100...THEN 1000MBPS...NOW IT'S 10GBPS!

Bowtech Products Ltd recently introduced their latest MOOG-PRIZM product - 10 Gigabit Ethernet to single or multi mode Fibre Optic Media Converter.  This 8-Port 10Gbps system provides the perfect solution for converting 10/100/1000Mbps twisted pair media to fiber optic media at up to 10Gbps.

The fundamental feature of the converter is that this system has the ability to auto configure to allow interface with either 10Base-T, 100Base-T or 1000Base-T on the RJ45 jack and is fully compliant with IEEE 802.3, 802.3u, 802.3ab, 802.3ae (10G over fibre) and 802.3aq (10 G over multimode fibre) standards.

The 10 Gigabit Ethernet switch is available either as an OEM board solution or a stand alone product, suitably packaged. Designed to be operated in harsh environments, this compact and lightweight system supports automatic address learning and aging.  The converter features full system diagnostics with GUI output and jumbo frame support.

A typical application for this product would be subsea vehicles, ethernet sensor pods, radar, machine vision, electro-optical sensor telemetry and CPU-CPU.

To discover further aspects of what this product can do for you, contact Bowtech Products Ltd now.  For more information, please contact: Mike Winstanley on Tel: +44 (0)1224 772345 or Email: bowtech@bowtech.co.uk, or visit Web: www.bowtech.co.uk

ANODE EYE NOMINATED FOR DAME AWARD!

Young Plymouth company - AnodeEye Ltd have been nominated for the prestegious DAME AWARD to be awarded at the Marine Equipment Trade Show (METS) in Amsterdam during November 2009.

Sonistics offer congratulations to Anode Eye for bringing this ingenious product to market.  For further information click here.

FUGRO OFFER OFFSHORE SUPPORT IN TRINIDAD

Fugro-Rovtech has bagged a contract to provide vessel, ROV, inspection and subsea engineering services to BP Trinidad & Tobago in support of its oil and gas facilities, offshore Trinidad.

The ROV-support vessel Skandi Carla has begun operations in Trinidad on the installation of a pipeline crossing at the NAD (Northern Area Development) Serrette field in Block Samaan, off the east coast of Trinidad.

ROV inspection will be carried out of over 350 kilometre of subsea pipelines, risers and umbilicals, as well as subsea intervention tasks.

In support of this contract, Fugro will use local services and resources, via Fugro Survey Caribbean.

This contract presents a significant opportunity to showcase the global reach and depth of Fugro's resources and capabilities to major oil and gas players, the company said in a statement.

On completion of the BP workscope, Fugro will remain well placed to service the needs of clients requiring ROV and vessel requirements in the local area.

LIFTING SOLUTIONS LAUNCH ITS OFFSHORE DIVISION

Lifting Solutions of South Yorkshire is launching its Offshore Division to coincide with Offshore Europe Oil & Gas Conference & Exhibition 2009, Aberdeen (8-11 Sept). The news comes on the back of recent Lifting Solutions successes in the Offshore sector, including the design, manufacture and supply of several bespoke ROV winches for use in the North Sea and the Far East.

Lifting Solutions Ltd can provide a complete range of products and services for offshore lifting and material handling requirements. From a concept to finished manufactured, tested components. Utilising the latest 3-D design and FEA software, LS can produce Lifting Beams, Spreader Beams, Skid Bases, Large Payoff Winches, Transport and Shipping Frames to DNV 2.7.1 and 2.7.3 specification. Alongside this, LS can supply a full range of Specialist Safety Hooks, Chain Blocks, Chain Slings, Wire Rope Slings, Trolleys and DNV Shackles.

Mark Stephens, sales and marketing director for Lifting Solutions, said: "Few companies can offer the full bespoke Offshore service, from conceptualisation, right through to design, product analysis, manufacture, test, certification, and even worldwide shipping if required. This high level of capability, combined with our personalised approach makes for a compelling offer which is already proving attractive to Offshore customers.

"Not only can we supply the major bespoke Offshore kit such as ROV winches, for example; we can offer the whole package including consumables, and are being called on more and more to fulfil a client's Offshore requirements from ad hoc small tackle requests, right through to orders for full design, manufacture and international shipping."

Lifting Solutions is ISO9001 accredited, is a member of LEEA, and is familiar with supplying oil industry specifiers. The Lifting Solutions team will be available at Europe Oil & Gas Conference & Exhibition to discuss your future requirements. Call Mark Stephens on 07917 217065 to arrange an informal chat at the exhibition.
Historically, Lifting Solutions has built a reputation for delivering on complex, sensitive and time critical contracts in the UK and internationally, including the Olympic Games in Athens, 2004; the Olympics 2012 delegation to London; the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games; The 2006 Turin Winter Olympics and the Asian Games in Doha 2006.

The move into Offshore markets is a natural progression, representing an expansion and diversification of the main lifting and tackle businesses.

For further information, e-mail Mark Stephens on
Ref: REFLS043 - Offshore launch 2009

Saab Seaeye Launches Two New ROVs

Two developments in ROV technology were launched by Saab Seaeye at Offshore Europe, the company reported. One is what the company describes as a new 'smart-thinking' Cougar-XTi ROV with a depth capability of 3000m and an enhanced man/machine interface. The other is a new Panther-XT Plus ROV that operates at more than four knots. Its 10 SM7 thrusters are designed to not only power the ROV along, but to hold it steady in strong currents during work and observation tasks. With a new design of front end and fitted with Schilling Orion manipulators, the Panther-XT Plus boasts a favorable power-to-weight ratio, according to the manufacturer.
In the case of the Cougar-XTi, a new design of man/machine interface is designed to give the pilot a clearer idea of the operational state of the vehicle, including smart fault diagnostics that plainly display the problem and the remedial action to be taken – helping to eliminate the need for the pilot to interpret fault data. Any failed component can be remotely isolated; so negating its impact on the overall system and ensuring that the ROV can stay working at its designated task. Deployment of this new 3000 metre rated Cougar is made from a compact new design of Launch and Recovery system that uses an umbilical cable of just 20mm in diameter. www.seaeye.com

General Robotics Limited (GRL), the leading supplier of simulation and visualisation software to the offshore oil and gas sector, has been acquired by Fugro for an undisclosed sum. GRL will be renamed Fugro GRL and will become a member of Fugro Subsea Services, keeping the same management team and staff headed by Dr Jason Tisdall. While developing and implementing products for Fugro operating companies, Fugro GRL will have commercial independence to pursue activities outside Fugro. The company will continue to maintain offices in Milton Keynes and Aberdeen.

SOS HYPERLITE HAS A NEW LOOK

The SOS Hyperlite portable hyperbaric chamber is vital life saving equipment to treat pressure related illnesses such as decompression sickness, for which there is no other remedy. This equipment is designed for advanced and technical diving, for emergency response units and especially for use in remote locations. 

The unit has now benefitted from a major upgrade that incorporates innovative braiding technology.  The expertise has been developed in a Joint Venture with RFD Beaufort Ltd., leaders in the field of inflatable life saving technology. 

The 2009 model is one third lighter, more durable and packs into one case rather than two. Fully operational within 10 minutes, the patient can be treated on-site, or be transferred under pressure during treatment to a nearby medical centre, depending upon circumstances.

The new unit continues to be built to internationally recognised medical device standards and remains the only non-metallic folding pressure vessel with such approvals.  It is widely in use by the US military and Coast Guard and by other military, emergency services and dive teams in many countries around the world

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