What's New At Saab Seaeye (2008)
 

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16 December 2008

INTERNET CONTROL OF ROV

Internet users can now reach under the sea to pilot a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) docked at an unmanned experimental laboratory based off Vancouver Island.

It means researchers worldwide can view video images direct from a Saab Seaeye Falcon ROV as it undertakes its designated tasks, along with a 3D image of the vehicle in operation.

Conceived by the Ocean Technology Laboratory team at the University of Victoria, the subsea hub platform is the first undersea laboratory with its own resident ROV. Real-time access over the Internet will allow researchers to monitor or conduct tests on equipment from anywhere in the world. This makes it a vital resource for external groups wanting to test products or conduct research.

click image to enlarge Saab Seaeye Falcon in the resident ROV configuration.

The subsea laboratory - called an Ocean Technology Test Bed (OTTB) - is designed to exploit the potential of the Internet in accessing subsea research projects relating to the development of ocean technologies.

click image to enlarge Overview of the Ocean Technology Test Bed.

This can include research into acoustic tracking and communications, together with ROV and AUV development, and research into a whole range of new ocean technologies, both for science and offshore exploration in the oil and gas industry.

Linked to the VENUS Observatory Node in Patricia Bay off Vancouver Island, the OTTB consists of a recoverable platform with connection points for power and communication; a service buoy for raising and lowering the platform; and an integrated acoustic system (IAS) for wireless communication and 3D tracking.

In choosing a vehicle rugged enough to live and work reliably under the sea for long periods, the University opted for the Falcon ROV for its advanced communications and control architecture that allows fingertip manoeuvrability, and its ability to hold steady whilst undertaking delicate tasks in strong cross currents.

The Falcon will also be used in service support of the facility including routine maintenance, re-positioning of instruments and assistance during deployments. The OTTB is located in 100m of water and has an operating area that spans 2.5 square kilometres, within which the IAS provides precision 3D tracking via a number of cabled acoustic monitoring satellites.

click image to enlarge Saab Seaeye Falcon ROV.

The OTTB was designed and built by a team at the Ocean Technology Laboratory. This group develops undersea technology including underwater structural design, autonomous underwater vehicles and underwater acoustics.

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.

Photographs courtesy of the University of Victoria.

For more information contact:

Alison Proctor
University of Victoria.
+00250 472 4546


Dave Grant
Saab Seaeye Ltd.
+44 (0)1489 898 000

www.seaeye.com

19 November 2008

GLOBAL SUCCESS SEES SAAB SEAEYE EXPAND

click image to enlarge

Global success for Saab Seaeye has led the company to expand its production capacity by 50 % with the opening of a new 24,000 sq ft factory in Fareham, Hampshire, UK.

The new facility was officially opened on Friday November 14th 2008 by Mark Hoban MP and Shadow Financial Secretary to the Treasury.

Managing director Dave Grant, says the greater engineering, technical and production capability will help meet the growing demand for the company's range of underwater vehicles. Also speaking at the event was Lars Tossman, Chairman of Saab Seaeye and President of Saab Underwater Systems, who saw the moment as marking a significant step in the continued success of the company.

click image to enlarge Mark Hoban opens the new Saab Seaeye Facility. Left to right - Dave Grant, MD Saab Seaeye; Mark Hoban MP; Lars Tossman, Chairman Saab Seaeye and President Saab Underwater Systems.

click image to enlarge Janet and Ian Blamire receive their silver salver from Sales Director, Matt Bates, watched by Chairman Lars Tossman.

Staff and invited guests joined in the celebrations during which the founders of Seaeye, Ian and Janet Blamire, were presented with a silver salver by Sales Director, Matt Bates. The guests, including visitors from overseas, were given a tour of the new facilities by Dave Grant.

click image to enlarge Guests applaud the moment the factory is opened.

They saw how custom-built facilities have been integrated into the new building, including production cells and dedicated test areas. This comprises ample on-site space for customer-ready control containers and launch and recovery systems linked into the factory for final ROV integration. The move has significantly improved production efficiency by bringing together three different sites under one roof.

click image to enlarge

A dedicated training facility is also located at the factory. It will enhance the existing training package for operators from across the world and offer technical training in the operation and maintenance of Saab Seaeye's complete range of portable and workclass vehicles.

This expansion programme comes as sales success sees the company extend its lead in the electric ROV market world-wide with sales coming not only from the booming oil and gas industry, but from the company's success in the areas of defence, marine science and civil engineering. The new company facility is still based in Fareham and is set close to the main communication links for international travellers.

click image to enlarge Dave Grant explains to Mark Hoban MP some of the innovative technology that makes the Jaguar a world-leading work-class ROV

click image to enlarge

Staff join in the celebrations.

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.

click image to enlarge

For more information contact:
Dave Grant
Saab Seaeye Ltd.
+44 (0)1489 898 000

www.seaeye.com

23 September 2008

TO LIVE ANOTHER DAY

As a statement of excellent technical service, engineers at Oceanvision, Asia Pacific's leading ROV, survey and support company, have breathed new life into a Panther Plus by totally rebuilding the vehicle, down to the last nut and bolt.

Oceanvision's managing director Ian Johnson says the skills learnt have made Oceanvision a better service company and distributor. 'Stripping, rebuilding and upgrading the ROV from the inside out has given our engineers the opportunity to extend their knowledge and technical competence concerning every aspect of Saab Seaeye vehicles.'

The project came about when Oceanvision's customer, Fugro in Singapore, wanted a 'life extension' of their Saab Seaeye Panther Plus 909, battered from years of rugged use. A team from Oceanvision, Fugro and Saab Seaeye worked together to develop the rebuild programme. Saab Seaeye's Nik Pyle flew to Singapore to help in the evaluation of the project, during which time it was decided that as the electronics were still in good condition, it was more economical to refurbish the Panther Plus rather than replace it with a completely new vehicle.

click image to enlarge Ian Johnson, Oceanvision's MD with the revitalised Panther Plus system

The technical skills required for such an operation are exceptional. Not only did Oceanvision engineers have to rebuild the ROV, but they significantly upgraded the vehicle with the addition of fibre-optics that included new cameras and sensors. They also stripped and rebuilt the manipulators, the control cabin, the winch, the slip-ring and serviced all of the thrusters.

During this time they moved the fibre optics into the ROV from the TMS. This made it possible to increase the number of cameras to five, with four direct video signals running continuously. Additional communication paths also allow equipment such as pipe trackers and other sensors to be added.

During the winch refurbishment they were also able to fit a longer main lift umbilical which means the ROV can now reach greater depths.

Overall, Ian Johnson sees the outcome of the project as offering a skill base of ROV engineering service unrivalled in the Asia Pacific area, with a knowledge base relevant not only to the Panther Plus, but to other Saab Seaeye work and survey vehicles.

Oceanvision already has extensive technical experience and capability in ROV survey, support and rental to the oil and gas industry across the growing Asia Pacific market, and is Saab Seaeye's exclusive full service distributor for the region.

For more information contact:
Dave Grant
Saab Seaeye Ltd.
+44 (0)1489 898 000

www.seaeye.com

19 May 2008

SAAB SEAEYE ANNOUNCES JAGUAR SALES IN MAJOR FUGRO ORDER

A major order has been placed by international ROV operations company Fugro with Saab Seaeye for a total of 15 ROV systems complete with TMS, launch and recovery equipment and control cabins where required. This will add substantially to Fugro’s existing worldwide fleet of electric ROV resources and further confirm Fugro as the principle operator of electric ROV systems.

click image to enlarge Agreeing the contract for the new Jaguar ROV's at Oceanology is Saab Seaeye's MD Dave Grant (left) and Fugro's Global ROV Manager Jim Mann

Included in the contract for phased delivery through 2008, are two Seaeye Jaguar systems for operation to 3,000 msw water depth and is the first order placed for this innovative new Saab Seaeye ROV which is the most powerful and advanced of its type in the world. The Jaguar electric Work Class ROV systems will complement the FCV 3000 electro-hydraulic Construction Work Class ROV systems designed, manufactured and operated by Fugro.

Included in the contract for phased delivery through 2008, are two Seaeye Jaguar systems for operation to 3,000 msw water depth and is the first order placed for this innovative new Saab Seaeye ROV which is the most powerful and advanced of its type in the world. The Jaguar electric Work Class ROV systems will complement the FCV 3000 electro-hydraulic Construction Work Class ROV systems designed, manufactured and operated by Fugro.

At a contract value of over £8million, the order adds significantly to sales won by Saab Seaeye since the company was acquired by Saab in 2007.

In addition to the two Seaeye Jaguar systems, the 15 vehicle order includes two Panther-XT ROVs, one Tiger ROV, three Falcon ROVs and seven Lynx ROV systems, one of which includes an active heave-compensated launch and recovery system. Saab Seaeye is the largest manufacturer of electrically operated ROVs, and its parent company, Saab Underwater Systems, is a world leader in sensor systems, precision engagement systems, and remotely operated and autonomous underwater vehicles.

click image to enlarge Saab Seaeye Jaguar The world’s most advanced electric work ROV.

For more information:
Dave Grant
Saab Seaeye Ltd.
+44 (0)1329 289000

www.seaeye.com

16 April 2008

SMART ROV TO RECOVER ARTEFACTS

Delicately removing artefacts from the seabed is one task of many for the brand new Saab Seaeye Panther-XT.

First to take delivery of this new generation of smart and powerful underwater vehicles is the RPM Nautical Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to using state-of-the-art technology in the advancement of research into nautical archaeology. Their new Seaeye Panther-XT is packed with leading-edge technology.

It will give them finger-tip manoeuvrability in strong cross currents for the delicate recovery of artefacts, and holding steady whilst filming. A special low-pressure water jet is also fitted to gently uncover valuable items without damage. Innovative thruster design lies at the heart of this new class of underwater vehicle. Saab Seaeye engineers have maintained the same thrust horizontally and doubled it vertically whilst cutting the number of thrusters on board from ten to six. This frees valuable space within the vehicle for even more tooling and sensor packages, all of which can be readily added and changed as needed. This flexibility has enabled equipment from the Foundation's previous ROV to be retro-fitted to their new Panther-XT.		click image to enlarge 'Delicate nautical archaeological recovery and filming is now possible with leading edge technology in-built into the Seaeye Panther-XT.'

click image to enlarge 'Typical of the items to be recovered is this pot, believed Roman that was used aboard a vessel shipwrecked off Sicily.'

For the Foundation, the Panther-XT’s greater power also means that more powerful tooling can be used and heavier items lifted from the seafloor. It also offers faster ascent and descent within the ROV’s 1500 metres working depth. A tether management system (TMS), used for the launch and recover of the ROV, is part of the new system. Fitted with lights and cameras, the TMS can operate as an additional survey platform and observe the ROV whilst at work.

The Seaeye Panther-XT brings a valuable new resource to the RPM Nautical Foundation. Based in Florida and Malta, the Foundation offers underwater technology and research vessels to Governments for archaeological studies around their shores, and to marine archaeological organisations to aid in their own research. In addition, the Foundation is a valuable education and training facility for students of marine studies.

click image to enlarge

'The R/V Hercules shown here off Valletta, Malta is a self-sufficient base for research operations including deployment of ROVs, manned submersibles, sonar systems and diving operations. It has a dynamic positioning system and onboard data processing centre.'

Saab Seaeye is the world’s leading manufacturer of electric ROVs to the oil and gas industry, defence, hydro resources and marine science.

For more information:
David Grant
Saab Seaeye Ltd.
+44 1329 289000


www.seaeye.com

George Robb
RPM Nautical Foundation
+1 305 294 3400

www.rpmnautical.org

21 February 2008

JAGUAR ATTACK

In a direct attack on the hydraulic ROV market, Saab Seaeye has launched an innovative new concept in electric work ROVs. Called the Seaeye Jaguar, it is now the largest in their range and the most advanced of its type in the world.

click image to enlarge

Jaguar - an innovative new concept in work ROVs

Its launch marks the introduction of an entirely new generation of electric underwater vehicles with technological innovations set to maintain the company’s lead in the electric ROV market.

The Seaeye Jaguar has the highest payload and thrust in its class, with a clever new simplified control system that makes it easy to pilot.

At under half the weight of its hydraulic ROV equivalent, with a smaller footprint, and needing fewer operators, the Seaeye Jaguar can bring significant savings in operating costs.

With a power to weight ratio that is by far the best in its class, the Jaguar will bring the precise control associated with Seaeye’s ROV technology to an ever wider range of heavy duty work tasks.

Operators will also welcome the faster training of new pilots and conversion of experienced pilots that is now possible with the new simplified control system. Its built-in intelligence, with fewer and more intuitive controls, has lightened the burden on the pilot by making it easier to manage the ROV.

Pilots will also find fault diagnostics easier. A unique system of self-diagnostics and simple presentation, clearly displays the fault and the necessary remedial action to the pilot.

Saab Seaeye’s reputation for ROV innovation and reliability will be further enhanced by a new dual redundant high-frequency/high voltage power distribution system. This allows the ROV to continue to operate on reduced power if one of the dual power systems fails. It also reduces the diameter and weight of the umbilical, and significantly cuts the size and weight of the onboard transformer.

Speed of ascent and descent of the 3000 metre rated Seaeye Jaguar is also faster. This follows new developments in thruster technology that has doubled the thrust power of previous systems.

The accessories offered as standard on the ROV include a pair of Schilling Orion manipulators: the seven function position feedback manipulator, and the four function rate manipulator.

The Seaeye Jaguar is unveiled as the company continues to make inroads into a market area dominated by hydraulic work vehicles, but where operators are increasingly turning to electric work ROVs, attracted by lower cost of ownership and ease of handling compared with the hydraulic equivalent.

This new breed of operator is bringing innovation to cost effective operational management by utilising the electric ROV for the vast majority of tasks performed by hydraulic systems. They also focus on tasks for which the electric vehicle is best suited: such as drill support, survey operations, cable laying support, touch-down monitoring, IRM, and a high proportion of intervention and construction tasks.

The incentive for ROV operators to use electric is strong. Electric ROVs not only weight far less, take up less deck space and need a smaller crew, but have significantly shorter mobilisation times

More compact surface control equipment and transformers, and less space required for workshop and storage, means the deck space needed for containers can be up to half that required for a hydraulic ROV system.

Such functional benefits and the technological innovations of the new Seaeye Jaguar will bring a future dimension to the company’s range of ROVs which now cover virtually all manner of undersea operations within the oil and gas industry, defence, hydro engineering and marine science.

For the defence world the Seaeye Jaguar offers an ROV that is powerful yet compact and easy to operate with the capability for a range of vital tasks including object recovery and deep water survey and salvage.

Saab Seaeye is the largest manufacturer of electrically operated ROVs, and its parent company, Saab Underwater Systems, is a world leader in sensor systems, precision engagement systems, and remotely operated and autonomous underwater vehicles.

For more information:
David Grant
Saab Seaeye Ltd.
+44 1329 289000

www.seaeye.com