Canadian-built technology was recently used to locate and record images of a lost World War II submarine. In early August 2015, a team of experts and Japanese TV crew members discovered a missing World War II icon. Off the coast of Nagasaki, the 120 meter long submarine "I-402" was located using a SEAMOR Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV). TOYO Corporation, SEAMOR's Japanese dealer, used their built-in-Nanaimo (British Columbia) 300 F 2/4 ROV system with high definition video to seek out and then document the sunken vessel. Found at 190 meters below the surface, the bright LEDs on the SEAMOR ROV were able to illuminate key features of this submarine. A pair of rails along the front of the ship were key identifiers as the I-402 as they provided a track upon which the three on-deck Seiran seaplane dive bombers were able to be launched (the I-400 and I-401, the only two other vessels of this kind, also had this capability).The crane/hoist system to retrieve the planes and the exhaust stack were also spotted and help confirm the identity of this ship.

U-Boat Worx (UBW), today announced the launch of the C-Researcher 3, world’s first transparent 3-person submersible capable of diving to 1,700 meters (5,577 feet). UBW has teamed up with leading scientists to design a compact and cost-effective submersible that enables scientists, policy makers and philanthropists to explore the world’s oceans with an unrivalled combination of safety, high performance, ultra-wide field of vision and outstanding comfort. UBW already builds a range of private submersibles that provided the proven technology for this CResearcher 3.

Trelleborg Sealing Solutions has “pushed the barriers of science” to produce a “highly innovative” seal for a ground-breaking valve designed by Schoolhill Hydraulic Engineering for BP’s Shah Deniz field. The pioneering high flow, high integrity, safety critical subsea QEV (quick exhaust valve), believed to be the first of its kind, has been created for a subsea HIPPS (high integrity pressure protection system) at the South Caspian Sea site.

Fugro has undertaken successful trials of its new GeoWing, a system designed to detect low ferrous content unexploded ordnance (UXO) items in challenging marine environments.

The complex programme of work comprises geophysical, geotechnical and environmental surveying of the proposed pipeline route to shore and will be undertaken using a multi-vessel approach. Bibby HydroMap’s own vessels Chartwell and Eagle will perform the geophysical and environmental scope, acquiring multibeam bathymetry, side scan sonar data, sub-bottom profiler and magnetometer data, alongside benthic grab samples and visual inspection. For the geotechnical aspect of the work, Bibby HydroMap will perform vibrocores to 5m and CPTs to 5m and 20m.

Every Spring, the Marine Technology Society and the IEEE Oceanic Engineering Society sponsor the OCEANS conference in either Asia or Europe. It is a prestigious conference/exhibition that draws hundreds of international attendees. The venue for OCEANS'16 MTS/IEEE Shanghai, the Shanghai International Convention Center, has a high reputation both at home and abroad for holding large-scale international conferences, has expansive meeting and exhibition space, with a riverside view, and is convenient to major airports and other local, modern attractions.

The National Oceanography Centre has today begun the latest in a series of ambitious marine robotic vehicle trials off the UK coast. Working in partnership with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), NOC has deployed a submarine glider and an Autonomous Surface Vehicle into the Celtic Deep area of the Celtic Sea - the two robotic vehicles will now work together over the next three weeks to investigate why this area is particularly attractive to marine predators such as dolphins and seabirds.

Tony Durrant, Chief Executive, commented: “First half operating cash flows increased year-on-year driven by reliable production, our hedging programme and operating cost savings of 30 per cent. With Solan on-stream later this year and Catcher in 2017, we expect both growing production and reduced debt levels. Amended financial covenants announced today provide balance sheet flexibility and demonstrate the on-going support of our capital providers. With the optionality in our portfolio, we are well placed for growth in a stronger oil price environment.”

Making her debut at the Martin Midstream Dock in Galveston, Texas, USA, Fugro’s premier geophysical survey vessel, the Fugro Americas, was showcased to top clients, with over 100 in attendance.

The Society for Underwater Technology (SUT) will host two deepwater technical sessions at Offshore Europe, providing a platform for organisations to demonstrate innovations that are pushing boundaries at new depths. The first session, ‘New Technologies for Efficiency and Effectiveness’ takes place on Wednesday 9th September from 9.30am to 12.30pm, offering insights into innovations that help to reduce costs and improve reliability for developing and exploring oil and gas reserves.

Fugro will be highlighting its specialist services and technology for the oil and gas industry in the exhibition halls at SPE Offshore Europe next month. Showcasing its tools, solutions and innovations for offshore exploration and production, Fugro’s experts will be on hand to discuss its highly accurate dimensional control survey services as well as a range of meteorological and oceanographic services that cover a wide range of metocean parameters. Recent innovations will also be featured, including Fugro’s OARS™ virtual surveying system, which heralds a new wave of offshore monitoring operations and eliminates the need for an onboard surveyor.

The National Oceanography Centre (NOC) and the University of Liverpool have entered into a new strategic partnership creating the Institute for Sustainable Coasts and Oceans (ISCO). The new Institute is a collaborative venture that brings together marine scientists, social scientists, engineers and economists to meet the challenges of a changing ocean and a changing coastal population. It will provide the improved connectivity between experts in these different fields and through world-class research will provide the knowledge needed to deliver sustainable management of the coast and our coastal seas.

11 August, 2015, London, UK – Ceona, SURF contractor with heavy subsea construction capabilities, regrets to announce that John Smith, Chairman of the company’s board, has stepped down with immediate effect due to ill-health. A well-known industry figure, Mr Smith has been involved in the oil & gas sector for more than 30 years and has been pivotal in overseeing the growth of Ceona since its inception in 2012.

Ashtead’s Subsea Technology Training Academy has secured Continuing Professional Development (CPD) accreditation. CPD accredited courses include; Introduction to Offshore Survey Equipment, ROV Sensors and Multiplexors, Acoustic Positioning Systems and Pipe and Cable Tracking. In addition to these regular courses, Ashtead Technology is able to design tailor-made training to meet specific needs of individual customers.

SMD have now completed their first deliverable for the ¡VAMOS! (Viable Alternative Mine Operating System) project, finalizing the system architecture on schedule. The consortium made up of 17 project partners, is now progressing to deliver a number of spec documents as well as a project manual. ¡VAMOS! is a 42 month Research & Development Project, which was launched in March this year as part of the Horizon 2020 programme. At an estimated cost of approximately 12.6 milllion Euros, the project will help to provide an opportunity to tap into the wealth of unexploited European mineral resources.

The International Marine Contractors Association’s (IMCA) 2014 survey of remotely operated vehicle (ROV)s, and ROV personnel reveals that in February 2014 a total of 3,369 ROV personnel (superintendents, supervisors, pilot techs and other offshore ROV support personnel) were working, and in August the total figure was 3,617. The total number of ROVs in February was 677 and in August 726. These figures compare with 3,663 personnel in February 2013 and 3,962 in August 2013; and 580 ROVs in February 2013 and 636 in August 2013.

The countdown is on for submissions to the call for abstracts for Oceanology International 2016 (ExCeL, London, 15-17 March 2016), the world’s largest marine technology and ocean science exhibition and conference. The deadline for 300-word abstracts for the eleven conference streams is Friday 28 August 2015. As Conference Chairman, Professor Ralph Rayner explains: “Oceanology International is a unique event. No other exhibition and conference connects the manufacturers and users of ocean technology with such a diverse spectrum of scientific and industrial stakeholders.

The Super Yacht Sub 3 is to make its world premier at the Monaco Yacht Show from the 23rd to the 26th of September. U-Boat Worx, the world’s leading submersible manufacturer, is to showcase this first purposely designed 3-person luxury private submersible for super yachts at the Monaco Yacht Show 2015.