What's New At Saab Seaeye (2007)
 

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20 December 2007

SAAB SEAEYE APPOINT NEW MD

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Dave Grant - new MD of Saab Seaeye

Saab Seaeye, the leading manufacturer of electric underwater remotely operated vehicles (ROVS), has appointed Dave Grant as Managing Director.

Previously MD of Hydrovision, Aberdeen UK, and Regional Manager with SMD, Newcastle UK, he brings over twenty years of experience in the design and sales of underwater equipment.

A graduate of Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, Dave Grant gained a BSc Hons in Electrical & Electronic Engineering and an MSc in Electronic Design from Herriot Watt University in Edinburgh. Saab Seaeye was formed in May 2007 following the acquisition of Seaeye Marine by Saab Underwater Systems.

Annual sales of the company are around £16 million GBP. It employs 70 people, many highly specialised engineers, at its Fareham site on the South coast of England.

Saab Seaeye design and manufacture a complete range of electric-powered ROV systems. This extends from the portable Seaeye Falcon to the Seaeye Panther-XT electric work ROV. Primary markets include off-shore oil and gas, military, scientific, security, salvage and coastal operations.

Lars Tossman, President of Saab Underwater Systems and Chairman of Saab Seaeye, said, “Since the acquisition, Saab Seaeye has continued to expand and it is essential to appoint someone of Dave’s experience and knowledge of the ROV industry to have overall responsibility for the future success of the company.”

Saab Seaeye is the UK’s largest manufacturer of electrically operated ROVs, and its parent company, Saab Underwater Systems, is a world leader in underwater systems, with special emphasis on littoral, shallow and difficult underwater environments. The company focuses on sensor systems, precision engagement systems, remotely operated and autonomous underwater vehicles.

Saab serves the global market with world-leading products, services and solutions ranging from military defence to civil security. Saab has operations and employees on all continents and constantly develops, adopts and improves new technology to meet customers’ changing needs.

For more information:

Dave Grant
Saab Seaeye Ltd.
+44 1489 898000

www.seaeye.com

13 December 2007

A MORE POWERFUL AND DEEPER SWIMMING PANTHER ROV

Saab Seaeye has launched the Panther-XT, a more powerful, deeper swimming version of their successful Panther Plus ROV with a much greater tooling capability.

It comes as world sales of the Panther range of electric work-class ROVs exceed 30 vehicles and extends the operational boundaries of the existing Panther models.

ROV operators will benefit from new technology that has doubled thruster power and significantly increased performance. This comes through innovative design by Saab Seaeye engineers that has increased the thruster motor voltage from 250v to 500v.

The result is a cut in the number of thrusters on board from ten on the Panther Plus to six on the Panther-XT. This has freed valuable space within the vehicle for additional tooling and sensors without the need for an underslung skid - although one could be added for specialist operations, if needed.

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The New Panther-XT

Greater power also means more powerful tooling can be used and heavier items handled, along with faster ascent and descent to deeper work sites.

Operators will welcome this extra performance from a class of electric work ROVs that offers a significantly lower cost alternative to hydraulic ROV systems.

Typically the Seaeye Panther-XT weighs less than a quarter of its hydraulic work-class ROV equivalent; takes about a third of the deck space and needs fewer crew. It is easier to mobilise, maintain and repair, and has a ‘plug-and-go’ simplicity of operation.

Thruster innovation lies behind the success of this class of vehicle with Seaeye being the first to create a reliable brushless DC thruster with a revolutionary design that introduced drive electronics with velocity feedback for precise and rapid control in both directions.

Their continued reputation for thruster innovation is recognised throughout the world. BAE Systems for instance chose Seaeye thrusters for their Talisman stealth autonomous vehicle which operates offshore for 24 hours a day in strong currents.

The new Seaeye Panther-XT with its increased depth rating from 1000 to 1500 metres comes with two hydraulic manipulators, a 12 function hydraulic solenoid pack, a pan and tilt camera, four simultaneous video channels – plus a range of options including survey suites, tracking systems and other specialist equipment.

Saab Seaeye is the UKs largest manufacturer of electrically operated ROVs. Recently it was acquired by Saab Underwater Systems, a world leader in underwater systems, with special emphasis on littoral, shallow and difficult underwater environments. The company focuses on sensor systems, precision engagement systems, remotely operated and autonomous underwater vehicles.

Saab serves the global market with world-leading products, services and solutions ranging from military defence to civil security. Saab has operations and employees on all continents and constantly develops, adopts and improves new technology to meet customers´ changing needs.

For more information:

Dave Grant
Saab Seaeye Ltd.
+44 1489 898000

www.seaeye.com

15 November 2007

FINNISH NAVY CHOOSES SAAB SEAEYE FALCON

The Finnish Navy Research Institute is taking delivery of the highly successful Saab Seaeye Falcon ROV.

The Institute wanted a compact and light-weight ROV incorporating the latest technology, and suitable for underwater warfare.

They liked the ease by which the Seaeye Falcon can be transported and deployed from a mother ship and its flexible operational capability.

This flexibility comes from the ROVs modular design that allows upgrades and additional equipment to be added and changed easily, even under operational conditions, and that power demands are moderate.

The Institute also liked that an operator finds it easy to control and manoeuvre, and that it can perform in hostile environmental conditions.

With over 120 vehicles ordered so far, the world-wide success of the Seaeye Falcon, left the Institute ‘impressed by the reference list of users that includes the UK Ministry of Defence, the US, Russian, Italian and New Zealand naval forces.

Its success in the defence world comes from a design that offers a compact yet powerful and highly manoeuvrable ROV which is ideal for rapid deployment from a small boat. It has been proven in a wide range of operational conditions, including search, survey, salvage, security, diver support and explosive ordnance disposal.

The operational flexibility that appeals to The Finnish Navy Research Institute comes from the ease by which standard accessories such as cameras, sonars and manipulators can be readily fitted. Also that custom tooling can be added in a simple bolt on under-slung module. The Finnish model has a Tritech super-seeking sonar and altimeter, together with an Ore ROV tracking system and single function manipulator.

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Ease of customisation is made possible with a distributed intelligence control system that allows up to 128 devices to be connected together on a single RS 485 serial network. This senses whatever systems are fitted to the ROV – much like a USB port. It also eliminates the need for interface cards, making fault diagnostics easier and the vehicle lighter by removing the need for an electronics pod.

For finger-tip manoeuvrability under extreme operational conditions, including strong cross currents, the Seaeye Falcon has five powerful independent magnetically coupled brushless DC thrusters, each with velocity feedback for precise and rapid thrust control.

The core Seaeye Falcon comes complete with lights, camera and video options as standard including solid-state gyro, compass, depth sensor and a 450 metre umbilical. The deep rated 1000 metre version has built in fibre optics for high volume data transmission over its long umbilical, and the ability to use broadcast quality video cameras. It also has tilting variable intensity lights linked to its camera tilt mechanism for superior illumination when filming above or below the vehicle.

For defence operations and hazardous environmental conditions, the ROV comes with an optional IP68 waterproof surface control unit. The latest version is almost half the size of earlier units and much lighter. It has a fold out 17 inch flat screen and keyboard. The unit operates through a universal single phase, self-selecting AC input of 100 to 270 volts at 2.8 kW.

Formed in 1987, Fareham-based Seaeye is the UKs largest manufacturer of electrically operated ROVs. Recently it was acquired by Saab Underwater Systems, a world leader in underwater systems, with special focus on littoral, shallow and difficult underwater environments. The company focuses on sensor systems, precision engagement systems, remotely operated and autonomous underwater vehicles.

Saab serves the global market with world-leading products, services and solutions ranging from military defence to civil security. Saab has operations and employees on all continents and constantly develops and improves new technology to meet customers’ changing needs.

For more information contact:

David Grant
Saab Seaeye Ltd.
+44 1489 898000

www.seaeye.com

14 November 2007

FALCON HELPS KEEP THAILAND’S DAMS SAFE

Thailand’s 14 dams are kept safe and free flowing with the help of a compact remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV). The Saab Seaeye Falcon ROV recently delivered to the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand checks for leakage, debris obstruction and supports diver operations and safety.

Chief of Dam Safety, Mr Veerachai Chaisrakeow, says that, in addition to helping with dam security and operation through improved inspection capability, greater diver safety is a major benefit coming from the introduction of the Seaeye Falcon. He cites a number of operational conditions more suited to the free-swimming ROV than a diver. One is checking for debris at the inlet pipes feeding the generators whilst they are still running. This hazardous task for a diver is now undertaken by the Seaeye Falcon which although compact, has the power to hold steady in the strong flow whilst observing the status at the inlet and sending back information to the surface. Another hazardous operation says Mr Chaisrakeow is when a diver had to enter the penstock pipe that feeds the generators through a manhole to check for sediment. Now they simply lower down the Seaeye Falcon.

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Checking the overall structure for leakage and other signs of deterioration, normally carried out by a diver, has limitations on time and depth. These tasks are now undertaken by the Seaeye Falcon which can work tirelessly and to depths of 300 metres. Saab Seaeye’s deep-rated version of the Falcon can reach 1000 meters and is often used for deep tunnel inspection.

For maintenance and inspection, an additional advantage is for the ROV to accompany the divers, says Veerachai Chaisrakeow. Not only does this offer additional safety for the divers, but the engineers ashore who are unable to dive, can observe the structural issues, such as leakage, via the ROV’s observation camera, and instruct the divers as they work.

The Seaeye Falcon has been adopted by the hydroelectric and dam industry after its worldwide success in the rigorous offshore oil and gas industry and national defence forces. Its use in deep tunnel inspection has included entering a pipe running 600 metres down a mountain at a hydroelectric scheme. The concept had been proven in Saudi Arabia where the standard 300 metre Falcon had been sent down tunnels for inspection and mapping work after being fitted with inertial navigation, a Doppler velocity log, profiling sonar and a fibre optic data transmission system.

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World-leading in its class, orders for the Seaeye Falcon now exceed 120. Its success has come from being compact, mobile and easy to handle, yet extremely powerful. Also appealing is its operational flexibility which comes through the ease by which standard accessories such as cameras, sonars and manipulators can be readily fitted, and additional custom tooling simply added by bolting on an under-slung module.

This ease of customisation is made possible with a distributed intelligence control system that allows up to 128 devices to be connected together on a single RS 485 serial network. This senses whatever systems are fitted to the ROV – much like a USB port. It also eliminates the need for interface cards, making fault diagnostics easier and the vehicle lighter by removing the need for a large electronics pod.

For finger-tip manoeuvrability in strong currents, the Seaeye Falcon has five powerful independent magnetically coupled brushless DC thrusters, each with velocity feedback for precise and rapid thrust control.

The core Seaeye Falcon comes complete with lights, camera and video options as standard including solid-state gyro, compass, depth sensor and a 450 metre umbilical. The deep rated 1000 metre version has built in fibre optics for high volume data transmission over its long umbilical, and the ability to use broadcast quality video cameras. It also has tilting variable intensity lights linked to its camera tilt mechanism for superior illumination when filming above or below the vehicle.

Formed in 1987, Fareham, UK-based Saab Seaeye is the UKs largest manufacturer of electrically operated ROVs. Recently it was acquired by Saab Underwater Systems, a world leader in underwater systems, with special emphasis on littoral, shallow and difficult underwater environments. The company focuses on sensor systems, precision engagement systems, remotely operated and autonomous underwater vehicles.

Saab serves the global market with world-leading products, services and solutions ranging from defence to civil security. Saab has operations and employees on all continents and constantly develops, adopts and improves new technology to meet customers’ changing needs.

For more information contact:

David Grant
Saab Seaeye Ltd.
+44 1489 898000

www.seaeye.com

29 October 2007

MAPPING EUROPEAN SEABED HABITATS

A five nation project to generate maps and images of seabed habitat, geology and biological data in the seas around north-west Europe, has seen the Saab Seaeye Tiger play a vital role in gathering high definition video film in difficult to access locations..

The results of the massive resource called - The Development of a Framework for Mapping European Seabed Habitats - or MESH, can be viewed online.

click image to enlarge MESH Study area, Copyright MESH Project

Important for the project was knowing the environment factors that determine the existence of certain habitats in a particular location These are defined by a combination of unique conditions such as current, depth of water, temperature and the rock structure under the seafloor. Understanding this makes it possible to predict the existence of habitat at a particular location and avoid expensive field surveys; along with evaluating large areas of seabed that would otherwise be impractical to survey..

Introducing the Seaeye Tiger to the MESH project was the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) from Northern Ireland. The AFBI were early to recognise the benefits of using a rugged and reliable world-class ROV, already proven in the tough oil and gas industry, to handle the equally demanding marine science environment, particularly working in those places that are deep and difficult to reach.

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Sponge community at the base of Stanton Banks		The Saab Seaeye Tiger - able to reach deep and difficult locations, and hold steady whilst filming

For the MESH project, challenging proof came at the Stanton Bank, off the West Coast of Scotland. Here the task was to examine the habitat at the point where the rock face meets the soft seafloor. An acoustic survey had been undertaken, but there was no idea what actually lay at this difficult to access location. By sending down the 1000 metre rated Seaeye Tiger, they were able to manoeuvre the vehicle to the precise point of study. There its directional thrusters were powerful enough to hold the ROV steady in the currents whilst sending back high quality video film.

click image to enlarge Multibeam Bathymetry of Stanton Banks with overlaid ROV (Seaeye Tiger) tracks, courtesy of C. McGonigle, University of Ulster

Tackling such conditions proved the value of AFBI's decision to up-grade from their towed video systems to the Seaeye Tiger and thereby undertake a far greater range of observation tasks than would be possible with a lightweight vehicle like the Hyball.

Information from the MESH project means that organisations competing for the seabed resources around Europe can now determine the impact of their decision by simply going to www.searchmesh.net/webGIS for the interactive mapping system, and zoom into the area of particular interest.

For further information, please contact:
David Grant, Saab Seaeye Ltd. Tel: +44 (0) 1489 898000

www.seaeye.com
www.saabgroup.com

23 August 2007

NEW SEAEYE TIGER AND LYNX BROCHURE

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For those contemplating an investment in a more capable observation or inspection ROV, Saab Seaeye have revamped their Seaeye Tiger and Seaeye Lynx information into a new combined PDF brochure which can be viewed or downloaded in the link in the Seaeye Tiger or Seaeye Lynx web page. This new brochure highlights the advantages and benefits of each of these two systems.

Printed copies of this brochure can be requested from Saab Seaeye’s sales department: or by calling +44 1489 898000.

Chris Tarmey
CEO

5 June 2007

FUGRO-ROVTECH TAKES FALCON 100

The milestone 100th Seaeye Falcon ROV has been delivered to Fugro-Rovtech in Aberdeen as a part of the Fugro ROV fleet expansion and update planned for 2007.

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Falcon 100 is one of four Falcon Systems being delivered to Fugro during 2007 by Seaeye, and is part of a total order for 15 ROV Systems to be delivered, to Fugro, this year. The total package being delivered in 2007 includes:

• 4 Seaeye Falcons
• 4 Seaeye Panther Plus Work ROVs
• 4 Seaeye Cougar XTs Compact Work ROVs
• 2 Seaeye Tigers Observation ROVs
• 1 Seaeye Lynx Inspection ROVs

Delivery of the one hundredth Falcon ROV marks another page in the success story of this small, portable, highly manoeuvrable yet powerful and multi-purpose design of ROV that has far exceeded Saab Seaeye’s own expectations. Originally introduced for coastal and inshore work, its success has come from the imaginative way operators, like Fugro-Rovtech, have exploited the potential of the concept that can hold station in the strong cross-currents, such as those experienced in the Southern North Sea, and which can offer a quick change of role using bolt-on modules.

The range of possible uses for this compact system is now quite vast, Fugro-Rovtech for instance, will use their Falcons for jack-up drill support operations − in particular monitoring open-hole drilling and end of well surveys using sonar and video to ensure a clear seabed at the end of the drilling operation. The Falcons will also operate from semi-submersible drilling rigs, providing close-work support to the larger work-class ROV.

More information on the Falcon ROV can be obtained by clicking here.

Saab has acquired Seaeye to broaden its product portfolio and strengthening its position in the underwater area at the same time as it brings a strong international market position within offshore and adds new possibilities within maritime security.

Saab serves the global market with world-leading products, services and solutions ranging from military defence to civil security. Saab has operations and employees on all continents and constantly develops, adopts and improves new technology to meet customers’ changing needs.

For further information, please contact:
Chris Tarmey, CEO Saab Seaeye Ltd, Tel: +44 (0) 1489 898000

www.seaeye.com
www.saabgroup.com

23 May 2007

SAAB ACQUIRES UK UNDERWATER VEHICLE COMPANY SEAEYE

With the acquisition of Seaeye Holdings Ltd and its subsidiary Seaeye Marine, Saab is strengthening its position in the underwater area and in the offshore market. The deal complements and reinforces Saab Underwater’s unmanned underwater vehicle product portfolio. The purchase price is £13m GBP.

- We see this as part of our strategy to strengthen our naval product portfolio at the same time as it adds possibilities within offshore and maritime security. This also brings a strong international market position in the underwater area with several successful products, says Ingemar Andersson, Executive Vice President of Saab.

Chris Tarmey, Chief Executive Office, CEO, of Seaeye, sees many benefits in being part of Saab:
- Seaeye is a successful company that has doubled its activities in the offshore area during the past years, but with a great potential to develop even further within areas such as maritime security and defence. Areas where Saab is strong. The acquisition also brings interesting possibilities for technical synergies between Saab’s and Seaeye’s different underwater vehicles.

Seaeye, with approximately 50 employees and annual sales of approximately £12M GBP, is located in Fareham, Hampshire on the south coast of England. The company develops and manufactures a complete range of electric powered ROV systems. The range extends from the portable Seaeye Falcon to the medium work class Panther Plus.

The operation started in 1987 and Seaeye is the leading supplier of electrical ROVs to the offshore oil and gas industry. During the latest years, Seaeye has also further developed its products and now also delivers vehicles for security, salvage and coastal observation tasks.

Saab Underwater Systems is one of the world leaders in the area of underwater systems, with special focus on littoral, shallow and difficult underwater environments. The company focuses on sensor systems, precision engagement systems, remotely operated and autonomous underwater vehicles, i.e. ROVs and AUVs.

Saab serves the global market with world-leading products, services and solutions ranging from military defence to civil security. Saab has operations and employees on all continents and constantly develops, adopts and improves new technology to meet customers´ changing needs.

For further information, please contact:
Peter Larsson, Press Secretary Saab Tel: +46 734 18 00 18
Lars Tossman, Managing Director, Saab Underwater Systems Tel: +46 734 460 510
Chris Tarmey, CEO Saab Seaeye Ltd Tel +44 1489 898000

16 May 2007

INNOVATIVE SURVEY SYSTEM HELPS PUSH PANTHER PLUS SALES PAST 30 MARK

When Maridive Offshore Projects looked for an ROV to survey miles of pipeline of different diameter lying on the seabed in the Middle East, and run along it like a track whilst fitted with camera booms and manipulator for CP inspection, they turned to Seaeye Marine.

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The innovative solution found by Seaeye's engineers was a curved wheeled skid made to fit under a Panther Plus electric work ROV that can be adjusted to run on seven standard sizes of pipe between 18 and 54 inches in diameter.

Simply by repositioning the wheels within the skid's four curved bulkheads, the ROV can land under its own thruster power on the chosen sized pipeline and ride along it monitored by the operator using the two out-rigged boom cameras fitted to the skid, together with the vehicle's on-board cameras. A five-function manipulator is available for CP inspection as needed.

The successful sale to Maridive, a new customer for Seaeye, brings to 23 the number of Panther Plus ROVs delivered so far. Add another nine Panthers in the programme for delivery later in the year, and the total deliveries of this best-selling electric work ROV are set to pass the 30 mark by November.

The boom in oil activity and a big increase in survey operations see Seaeye continue to grow with a bulging order book of 23 major systems for delivery over the next 12 months, together with their portable Falcon ROV selling at a steady rate of two a month.

Egypt based Maridive Offshore Projects are part of the Maridive Group, which was founded in 1978 and is a leader in marine and offshore services with a fleet of 32 vessels.

The new wheeled skid is now available as an option for the Panther Plus, which has found success in its role around the world as a highly manoeuvrable work ROV. It is one of a range of ROVs made by Seaeye, the world's leading manufacturer of electric ROVs, that are used widely in the oil & gas industry, defence organisations and in marine science.

For more information click here.

21 March 2007

RUNNING LOCK LATCH - FOR SAFE LAUNCH AND RECOVERY

The Falcon Running Lock Latch System comprises a Bullet Assembly, that replaces the vehicle's standard umbilical attachment point, and a Running Lock Latch Assembly that can be used in combination with a lifting winch to launch and recover Falcon ROVs without putting strain on the ROV umbilical. This is ideal for use on oil rigs or from other elevated launch sites!

Some operators leave the lock latch in the water following release of the ROV to act as a clump weight below the splash zone helping to keep the umbilical clear of the ship's propellers and thrusters.

To download a brochure containing more details about the operation of a lock latch and ordering information visit the Falcon Accessories page.

1 February 2007

PHOTO OPPORTUNITY

The 2007 launch of the Cougar-XT and the increasing publicity arising from the success of 'Seaeye electric work ROVs' has generated a lot of good feedback from satisfied customers happy to share their experience of working with this class of vehicle.

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Seaeye Panther Plus 911 in Vietnam		Seaeye Cougar in the Mediterranean

These two pictures are of particular interest in illustrating alternative approaches to the launch and recovery of electric work ROVs in their TMS. PTSC's Panther Plus (above left) is engaged in drill support and IRM in Vietnam and has a LARS fitted with a sheave and lock latch. The lock latch captures the TMS bullet allowing weight to be taken off the umbilical as the vehicle is brought inboard. Steadying lines are used to control the swing and orientation of the package during launch and recovery.

The Seaeye Cougar system (above right) is shown being recovered following operations to lift and relay an acoustic tracking range at depths of over 1,500 metres. Its LARS is fitted with a Seaeye designed Snubber/Rotator that firmly captures the ROV at the Head of the 'A' Frame and prevents swinging while the TMS is rotated fore and aft between 'A' Frame legs for recovery on deck. The use of a snubber rotator is a relatively new concept on ROVs of this size allowing operations to continue more safely in heavier sea states.

We are very grateful to Gary Cooper, ROV supervisor with PTSC, for sending this picture of the 11th Panther Plus built and delivered to Vietnam in 2003. Since then a further 16 systems have been sold with 6 currently in production for delivery to customers in the Far East, Middle East and Russia.

Italian ROV Contractor DNT Offshore Srl were the first to recognise the potential for a more compact electric work ROV and were involved in the original specification for the Cougar in 2003. Since then 14 systems have been sold including 7 of the new Cougar-XTs which are now in production for delivery this year. DNT Offshore will take delivery of Cougar-XT 1407 in the spring.

So with all these ROVs out there, I am sure that there must be a lot more pictures around that people would find interesting. We would be very pleased to see and publish any high-definition, well composed location shots that show your systems hard at work.

Chris Tarmey
CEO
Seaeye Marine

19 January 2007

NEW APPOINTMENTS AS SEAEYE GROWS

With growing world demand and record sales for Seaeye's range of electric ROVs the company has announced two key appointments.

Joining the company as their new Sales Manager is James Douglas. He is responsible for building further system sales across all UK and international markets, and will work with the company's world-wide network of distributors.

click image to enlarge James Douglas - Seaeye's newly appointed Sales Manager

Seaeye ROVs already operate in 40 countries and the company has won export awards two years running.

James Douglas comes from a marine engineering background with sales experience across international markets. He is expected to develop and expand the range of markets in which Seaeye vehicles are used that include offshore oil and gas, military, marine science, undersea tourism and civil engineering.

Seaeye has also appointed their Nik Pyle as Technical Services Manager in recognition of the vital role technical support plays in international ROV operations.

This follows a reorganisation of spares, repair and support systems following a significant growth in business across the world.

In addition to technical support, Nik Pyle will be responsible for a new dedicated repair department tasked to provide the very best support for Seaeye's customers with a faster turn round.

Nik Pyle has been with Seaeye for 10 years and has supervised customer service both at the factory and in the field, including commissioning of newly delivered systems around the world.

For further information contact:

James Douglas or Matt Bates at
Seaeye Marine:
Tel : +44 (0)1489 898000

www.seaeye.com

Contact details for each member of the sales and support team can be found on the Contact Us page.

12 January 2007

POWERFUL COMPACT ELECTRIC WORK ROV LAUNCHED

A powerful new electric work ROV has been launched by Seaeye Marine aimed at the growing number of operators seeking the economic advantages and the ever increasing capabilities of this special class of vehicle.

The Seaeye Cougar-XT is a development of the successful Cougar that has been proven and recognised for its ability to operate effectively as a compact work ROV in the most demanding conditions.

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Vehicle power in the XT has been doubled by increasing the supplied voltage from 250 to 500 Volts producing a considerable improvement in performance. Developments in drive and power technology has seen vehicle thrust increased by over 50% in all directions - creating a vehicle with the highest thrust to weight ratio in its class.

Leading sub-sea engineering and construction contractor, Subsea7, set the standards for this advance in ROV technology. Their specification sought out a vehicle that could handle their 6 kw SubJet high pressure water cleaning system whilst working in a 1.5 knot current around structures in the Southern North Sea.

To achieve this performance, Seaeye upgraded two of Subsea7's Cougar systems to what has now become the XT configuration in August last year.

Once initial teething problems were overcome in the thruster drive circuits, both of the up-rated Cougar-XTs were to prove more reliable and more capable than other embarked ROVs of a similar size. They were able to operate through measured currents of 1.4 knots with power to spare.

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A Customised  Seaeye Cougar-XT fitted with Subsea 7’s SubJet cleaning system

Pleased with the success of these first two vehicles, Subsea7 have now ordered two more Cougar-XT systems for delivery for the 2007 season with further system orders anticipated later in the year.

'The increased in power and performance of the Seaeye Cougar-XT is expected to appeal to operators already won over by the low cost and easy handling of an electric work ROV with its reduced demand for deck space, fewer crew and a faster mobilisation time', says Matt Bates, Seaeye's Managing Director.

This makes the ROV ideal for drill support, IRM, survey operations and touch-down monitoring as well as the support of salvage operations. Although designed to accommodate a wide variety of task specific tooling skids, the vehicle is not too large to be considered for an inspection and observation role between work tasks.

For further information click here