Liverpool’s Survey Boat is a ‘Wildcat’

01 Dec 2006

The Port of Liverpool has awarded the contract to supply a new hydrographic survey vessel to Irish workboat and pilot boat builder Safehaven Marine. Following an international tender process Safehaven Marine’s Wildcat catamaran design was chosen. Ian Holden, the Port’s hydrographic manager opted for a twin hull design as a result of the port’s intention to use sophisticated multi beam sonar equipment. 

Sonar Survey Finds Lost U-Boats

01 Dec 2006

A routine Maritime & Coastguard Agency sonar survey off the Orkney Islands has led to the chance discovery of uncharted wrecks of two first world war German submarines which were originally reported missing in 1918 after apparently sinking somewhere in the Northern Barrage, a British minefield between Orkney and Shetland.  

Subsea Wireless Modem

01 Dec 2006

A wireless modem capable of operating underwater which can also relay signals out of water has reportedly been developed by Wireless Fibre Systems of Livingston in Scotland. It will clearly be of interest to, among others, divers and AUVs transmitting data to waiting vessels.  

Echo Sounder Sensor

01 Dec 2006

Innovation4C of Belgium has developed ‘Wavemapper’, a heave sensor designed for single beam echosounders based on technology used for space applications.  

Sonar Tubes Factory Opens

01 Dec 2006

Morgan Electro Ceramics has opened a new facility at its site in Southampton, UK, dedicated to the design and manufacture of fibre wrapped piezoceramic tubes that are used in commercial and military sonar instruments. The facility, which is the only one of its kind in the UK, has been set up in response to an increasing need for 360^o high energy projectors.It provides equipment manufacturers with reliable, pre-stressed tubes that give a high degree of accuracy for sub-sea detecting and sensing.