Zhuzhou China South Rail Times Electric Co. (CSR Times Electric), Ltd., a subsidiary of China South Rail (CSR), today announces the completion of a £130m formal acquisition of the UK-based manufacturer of ocean engineering products, Specialist Machine Developments (SMD) Limited, the top holding company of the SMD group.

Subsea Technology and Rentals (STR), a multi-disciplinary technology company specialising in the design, production and rental of innovative marine survey equipment for the subsea construction, geophysical, ROV inspection and environmental sectors, unveils its new subsea rechargeable battery pack (SeaCell) and charger system (SeaCharge) to complement their existing portfolio of specialist equipment.

The C-Explorer 3 from Dutch submersible manufacturer U-Boat Worx won over the 38-member jury of the Red Dot Award. U-Boat Worx proved its design excellence in the most important competition for product design, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year.

Ceona, SURF contractor with heavy subsea construction capabilities, has entered into a significant Joint Venture (JV) with Seaweld Engineering which will act as a strategic partner for offshore deepwater construction projects in Ghana.

Sonardyne International Ltd, UK, has announced that Bibby HydroMap, a specialist seabed survey company, has upgraded the Sonardyne Scout acoustic positioning system installed on its coastal survey vessel, Bibby Athena, to the new ultra-portable and ultra-high performance Sonardyne Mini-Ranger 2 USBL system.

Subsea Technology and Rentals (STR), a multi-disciplinary technology expert specialising in the design, production and rental of innovative marine survey equipment are pleased to announce the delivery of the first ever deep water rated, Titanium housed NORBIT iWBMS wideband multibeam sonar system.

DOF Subsea, a leading provider of integrated subsea services, will stage the European launch of a significant new addition to its suite of services next week. During the Ocean Business event at the National Oceanography Centre in Southampton, UK from April 14th to 16th, the company will showcase its newest service, utilising three Slocum Gliders, named the DOF Skandi Explorers, a technology which has previously only been seen in academic and defence circles.

Waterproof Expeditions in collaboration with U-Boat Worx now offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to become a submarine pilot. Breda, 03 April 2015. Adventurous types, submarine enthusiasts, explorers and submersible operators can sign up for a selection of pilot training courses to be held in August 2015. No experience is necessary, as U-Boat Worx’ expert instructors will teach all the ins and outs.

The third issue of ROV Planet includes the following articles: Music Corner: Jane Gjestland, The Tooltec Story, The Underwater Intervention (UI) 2015 Coverage, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" ROVOP Student Placements, MATE International ROV Competition Theme 2015, The Premier of Forum’s XLX-C Work Class ROV, ROV Planet Poster, Sea Trials with the Surveyor Interceptor ROV, Pushing the Boundaries: Thinking Beyond a Full Metal Chassis (Ron Allum & the DEEPSEA CHALLENGER), The Science Behind Industry Leading ROV Positioning, Baxter, the Robot: Redefining ROV Manipulation, Blue Robotics Propelling the Future of Marine Robotics and Ocean Exploration. Sit back and enjoy the third issue!

At least four people died after a fire broke out on an oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico early on Wednesday, leading to the evacuation of 302 workers, Mexican state-run oil company Pemex said.

Due to an increased demand for its services globally, independent subsea Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) services provider, ROVOP, has established a Western Hemisphere headquarters and support base in Houston as well as appointed three highly-regarded ROV industry professionals to lead the business.

MMT and Reach Subsea have just completed their first commercial project with Surveyor Interceptor ROV for Gassco AS at Knarr Gas pipeline in the North Sea.

Leading marine instrument manufacturer, Valeport, has launched a new competition for its customers to source videos or photos of Valeport product in action. UK-based Valeport designs and manufactures instrumentation for the oceanographic, hydrographic and hydrometric communities is asking its customers worldwide to send in videos or photos of Valeport products in action for the chance to win an iPad Air 2 for the best video footage and an iPad Mini 3 for the best photo.

SengS is announcing the following services available at their purpose built facilities in Ellon, Aberdeenshire, UK. PR2 API 6A Testing, API 6D, API 17D & ISO 14313 Hydrostatic Testing, Cryogenic Testing, High Temperature Testing, Submerged Gas Testing.

As part of the Horizon 2020 programme, a new 42 month Research & Development Project, has been launched to help provide an opportunity to tap into the wealth of unexploited European mineral resources. The estimated cost of the Project is approximately 12.6 mlllion Euros.

30th March 2015 – Harkand has secured a multi-million pound contract with Maersk Oil North Sea Ltd for the provision of DSV services in the North Sea region. The 12-month contract will be serviced by Harkand’s two DSVs, the Harkand Da Vinci and Harkand Atlantis, supported by project management and engineering from Harkand’s Aberdeen office.

Subsea Technology and Rentals (STR), a multi-disciplinary technology expert specialising in the design, production and rental of innovative marine survey equipment have added Optimal Ranging’s ORION pipe and cable tracker systems to its selection of underwater detection systems.

Bryant Group (Scotland) Ltd has been identified as one of London Stock Exchange’s 1000 Companies to Inspire Britain. The report is a celebration of the UK’s fastest-growing and most dynamic small and medium sized businesses.