Seawork Innovations Showcase 2014

Located in Seawork’s undercover exhibition area, the Innovations Showcase is judged in six main entries: vessel design and construction; marine civil engineering and construction; marine equipment, electronics and materials; diving and underwater technology; renewable energy and safety and training. A Certificate of Commendation is awarded to the winner of each category.

To qualify, all entries must have come to market in the previous 12 months and provide a valuable insight into the latest in design, technology and applications.

2013 winners
Last year’s overall Spirit of Innovation winner was Filtertechnik’s for its Particle Pal, a portable analyser for determining the cleanliness levels of fuels and oils. It was designed to help field engineers and lab technicians quickly determine the health of oils and fuels. The unit uses the latest laser counting technology to accurately count particles not visible to the naked eye. As a result, engineers no longer need to send samples away to a laboratory for results which often take two weeks or more. The ability to quickly determine the health of oils and fuels can help avoid catastrophic breakdowns.

Guy Cotten UK won the marine equipment, electronics and materials category for its Drempro Jacket and Drembib Trousers, which are based on a new manufacturing process involving the fusion of panels of different high-performance materials.

NRG Marine won the safety category for its PFE 1/2/3, the world’s first non-pressurised multi-purpose extinguisher that is only 1/5th of the size of conventional extinguishers, and Maretron was awarded special commendation for its Vessel Data Recorder, currently the only device of its kind and first ever NMEA 2000-certified vessel data recorder.

The 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award winner was Norman Finlay of the National Workboat Association. Norman was instrumental in forming the National Workboat Association in 1994 and the DOT/MCA Workboat Code of Practice, which came into force in 1997.

2014 entries
Maritime Journal took a closer look at the entries received so far for this year and what they can offer the commercial marine industry.

Atlantas Marine
Dextera, an innovative 1,000m rated electric subsea manipulator, has been developed in response to the demands faced by ROV operators. The tool offers proportional control and interchangeable tool heads. Atlantas says this enables it to do more than any other compatible tooling available on the market today.

Stand D25

Auto-Maskin
The Marine Observer App connects the Marine Pro range of engine monitoring and control panels to any Android or iOS powered phone, by means of a password protected wireless link.

Multiple engines can be monitored anywhere within the range of the wireless network, with alarms being displayed and sounded, as well as key engine parameters chosen by the operators always being on screen.

If crew members have to move away from command or monitoring positions, they can do so in safe knowledge that any monitored equipment will still be under their and Marine Pro’s watchful eye.

Connects to not only Auto-Maskin branded equipment, but can also monitor some Caterpillar, Cummins and Scania branded instrumentation made by Auto-Maskin.

Stand SB76

Bainbridge/Lifedge
Bainbridge’s Lifedge waterproof iPhone case features a unique silicon piston-seal system between the front and back of the case to ensure a robust watertight seal every time, no matter how many times you open and close the case.

Rated waterproof to IP68, the case is fully watertight in up to 2m/6’7″ of water for 30 minutes. As a result the case is also 100% dustproof.

Stand A47

CQC Ltd
CQC’s Fibrelight Rod Stretcher is made up of carbon fibre and webbing, and as a result, is thought to be the lightest rigid stretcher. Manufactured using reinforcing carbon fibre rods that are enclosed within flanged tubular webbing ensures the device is strong and rigid.

Stand A7

Delta Systems
The Delta Maritime Asset Management System is a software system which enables a shore-based HQ to manage planned maintenance, defect rectification and spares requisitions for company vessels or remote sites around the world, communicating real-time ship-shore-ship, keeping operations and technical managers, technicians, sub-contractors and vessel crew fully up-to-date.

The system removes the need for lengthy emails and phone calls and is fully networked and license-free.

Stand A107

Demon International
The Hurricane Combi is a high pressure machine, developed for pontoon and slipway cleaning. The Combi can be used on almost all flat surfaces and as a standalone pressure washer by simply attaching a lance.

It allows marine industries to clean areas that are potentially dangerous due to algae build up, to clean them effectively and efficiently. Previously, two pieces of equipment would have been needed to carry out the cleaning, but with this latest innovation combines a Hurricane pressure washer and a Rotowash professional floor cleaner to produce one easy-to-manoeuvre machine.

Stand C5

ECDIS Ltd
The first of its kind, the 303. The company’s 3D environment artists can create any port in the world, helping to improve navigational training. Once the port has been built, training can be carried out in ECDIS Ltd’s own facility or a custom-built simulator for on-site use.

Bathymetry is accurately modelled to allow the requisite manoeuvres and ship-handling to be verified and topography, key landmarks and navigation aids are also fully recreated, developing familiarity with the area in a simulated environment that translates into improved execution of formulated plans.

Stand C109

Exposure Marine
Exposure Marine’s new Sub M3 dive light features Motion Control Technology (MCT) and uses kinetic switching to enable hands-free night and day time professional diving. All power, lighting options and safety functions are controlled through a small circular movement pattern, and when given several firm taps, it starts an SOS or safety flash mode. Mounted on a neoprene wrist mount, MCT eliminates the need to remove gloves, or ‘feel’ for switches through neoprene gloves, to operate.

Stand DS33

Harken Industrial
Hand operated winches have long been used in lifting and pulling applications but Harken’s new lightweight Universal Mounting Plate (UMP) Winch offers quick and easy installation, makes efficient use of human power by balancing pulling power against speed, while loads can be eased through a simple operation for pinpoint control.

With no limit on the length of fibre rope it can pull, the winch is mounted to a robust adaptor plate. Weighing just 7 kg but with a half-tonne working load limit, the two-speed winch magnifies manual pulling power by up to 40 times.

The plate has been designed to remove excess weight and provide multiple attachment points without compromising strength. The pig-tail line lead ensures correct alignment and loading of the winch for maximum efficiency. The plate can be used with multiple fixings depending on the environment and industry, from ratchet straps, M10 bolts, and karabiners to scaffold clamps.

The winch is driven by a handle so no power source is required. Alternatively a high torque power drill can be used to drive the winch, ideal for high speed or long durations of use.

Stand B101

Hylec-APL
The new xDRY cable connector range stops moisture transmission across the connector – a common problem in the industry – isolating the faulty cable and maintaining the integrity of the good cable. This enhances overall system reliability and reduces maintenance downtime.

In particularly critical applications, the use of these connectors with special ‘anti-condensation’ barriers protects the installed electronic systems by stopping any moisture from crossing the connector and damaging the installed systems. The protection of electrical and electronic parts is ensured. Moisture Barrier versions are available within both the TH391 and TH392 series of weatherproof connectors.

Stand SB50

Jankel
NAUTech seating by Jankel works to increase crew protection from the many types of vibration/load on the occupant at sea. The seat systems feature three independent-sprung elements with no fixed centre of roll to provide mitigating performance against severe vibration and shock loads no matter what the wave action/load direction on the seat; particularly when rolling off a wave laterally or dropping bow first into a trough.

Stand D13

JFC Manufacturing Co Ltd
JFC’s new range of ‘Seagull’ Navigation Buoys, aim to set a new standard in floating Aids to Navigation. This new product has been redesigned from first principles with an emphasis on durability, flexibility, and economy throughout. Safe access for maintenance personnel and ease of operation has also been prioritised, as have all deployment and retrieval requirements.

Stand B191

MarineGuard Systems Ltd
MarineGuard, in partnership with Marine Camera Solutions, are launching a new range of on-board security cameras. The OceanView camera range offers the latest in HD IP camera technology. The entire range is ONVIF compliant and PoE+. The cameras operate over a single cable up to 100m and are nitrogen purged IP 68 rated.

This new range includes PTZ, fixed domes as well as standard HD and thermal tube cameras. A key innovative feature is at the core of this solution in the form of the patented mounting mechanism which ensures simple and quick installation through a single access point. Removing the need to gain access to the back of the camera significantly reduces the installation time and the shipyard integration costs.

Stand D9

MarShip UK
The UK-manufactured EDI Lub Oil Purifier is a clear, two-stage process. Although the first stage of the process is through a traditional one micron absolute filter, it is in the second stage that a new-to-the-industry process is carried out. In this stage the oil flows over a patented heated plate where water and gaseous acids from combustion and fuel dilution is evaporated, ensuring TBN and viscosity is maintained.

With the additional removal of these liquid and gaseous contaminants, oil life can be considerably increased over traditional methods that only remove the suspended contaminates. The company says the environmental and monetary savings are substantial.

Stand A197

MYMIC
MYMIC’s Marina Safety Awareness Simulation training was developed with the aim of reducing accidents and injuries among marina personnel. Its Marina Safety training tool uses the benefits of game-based simulation training by allowing trainees to interact with a virtual marina where they identify and learn about areas of a marina that can be hazardous.

The technology turns static training materials into new state-of-the-art 3D training simulations that the company says engage employees, accelerate learning, increase retention and drive new behaviours on the job in risk-free situations.

Stand SB41

Nauti-Craft Pty Ltd
Nauti-Craft is introducing its latest ‘2Play’ catamaran. The company’s marine suspension technology separates the main passenger and cargo deck from the hull using a suspension system including four or more hydraulic rams located between the deck and multiple hulls. The system functions in a passive re-active way to maintain unprecedented stability of the deck as the hulls move, both while the vessel is under way and when it is stationary.

The hydraulic system achieves roll and pitch stability by acting as an intuitive fluid computer which appropriately redistributes the hydraulic oil and pressures within the system to position the deck relative to the vertically moving hulls, such that the deck remains substantially more level and at a more constant height than conventional boats.

The Nauti-Craft suspension optionally can be equipped with a proprietary Deck Attitude Control System (DACS) including a pump enabling the deck attitude and height to be actively controlled by computer. This can further improve the safety of personnel transferring on-and-off the deck when the vessel is adjacent a jetty, wind turbine tower ladder, oil rig structure or a much larger boat.

Stand V38

Norfloat International Limited
Norfloat International’s new range of soft mooring buoys use a range of innovations to provide the maximum protection for any boat using them. Firstly the buoy is made of UV stabilised, flexible PVC which gives a tough but forgiving exterior. The top of the buoy also uses an air filled ring which acts like a fender, both cushioning any impact with the boat and stopping it going anywhere near the steelwork.

Stand C93

Promarine Ltd
The new proD4(tm) antenna is a multi-frequency antenna that covers the most entertainment communication systems in one antenna including FM radio, TV, 2G/3G/4G, WiFi and GPS.

They all can be used simultaneously without interference. The proD4(tm) is easy to install and safe to use because of its structure with no external whips. Its high performance is created by intelligent design of radio frequencies.

Stand B174

Roodberg BV
Roodberg is introducing a new and simple hydraulically-operated slipway trailer, developed to make the recovery and slipping of boats up to 10 tonnes a quick, safe and easy operation.

The Roodberg/Hydrotrans 5 and 10 tonne trailers are made from galvanised tubular steel, and feature a hydraulically-operated suspension which lifts the trailer frame up to meet the hull of the vessel and support it whilst out of the water.

Stand B43

SeaSafe Systems Ltd
The Quik Sling is primarily a first-response throw-out device to speedily capture someone immersed in water, to be used in the same quick way as a lifebuoy. Once the immersed person is inside the hollow, they naturally raise their arms up and drape them out over the frame for flotation support. This basic survival reaction automatically prepares the casualty to be caught under the armpits.

Stand A215

Sima Charters BV
The SC-Amethyst is a heavy duty pilot boat, designed for multiple purposes. It has a high comfort level due to an innovative lines plan and the application of a Sea-Keeper. The high efficiency and twin Volvo Penta IPS-propulsion-units make the aluminium vessel fuel efficient and therefore cost efficient to run, compared to competing vessels.

Stand C247

Simrad
Simrad’s NSO evo2 is thought to be the world’s first multifunction system to offer dual-discrete video output with full HD-resolution. The new black box distributed system is two powerful MFDs in one.

Whether using side-by-side monitors or a single monitor and an enabled tablet, the system’s dual quad-core processors deliver independent display, performance and control of navigation functionality. It also benefits from being “multi-fuel” in terms of cartography, so it has the ability to navigate using two distinct chart types simultaneously, users can choose from Jeppesen C-Map Max-N charts, Navionics Gold and Platinum, Insight Genesis, NV Digital Charts and more.

Stand A277 and Q28

Suzuki GB PLC
The Suzuki DF25A and DF30A Lean Burn Outboards are thought to be the first outboards in their class to feature friction-reducing roller rocker arms on the cam slipper surface for both the intake and exhaust valves and both models utilise offset crankshafts resulting in smoother operation and greater mechanical efficiency. The roller changes contact between the camshaft and rocker arm from a conventional sliding action to a rolling action, reducing friction in rocker arm operation.

Suzuki has positioned the crankshaft slightly off centre from the cylinder reduces lateral pressure against the cylinder wall as the piston moves up and down. The result is smoother piston movement, which improves operating efficiency.

A new compact and lightweight fuel injection system is designed to fit into these outboards without adding unneeded bulk or weight. It also operates without a battery but can still delivers quick start-ups, smoother operation, and improved acceleration in all conditions.

Suzuki’s lean burn control system also features in the new outboards. The intelligent fuel management system predicts fuel needs by monitoring engine performance and operating conditions to deliver a leaner fuel mixture to the engine, resulting in improved fuel economy.

Stand Q11

Survitec Group
The Evolution 250N is a waistcoat-style buoyancy aid designed for operating in an environment where frequent water immersion is probable. It provides increased safety whilst uncompromising manoeuvrability for the wearer. It also inflates if required, making it suitable for various situations, incorporating practicability and comfort with safety.

Stand B137

Tideland Signal LTD
E-Navcon is said to be the world’s first combined Racon and AIS transmitter and provides the mariner with the benefits of both systems. The Radar Beacon provides an all-weather position fix via the vessel’s radar, which is 100% accurate and is perfect for marking hazards or points of navigational interest. Using the Racon the mariner can also establish their exact position and this is extremely useful in areas of indistinct coastline.

Stand A87

Vetus Ltd
The new line of VETUS HD waterlocks is made from a specially blended composite that is heat resistant up to 260° C. While the VETUS NLP waterlock design is already well known for its silencing features, versatile installation options, and extremely low backpressure, it now adds mechanical properties that can meet any challenge.

Stand C225

Wolf Shock Mitigation Systems Ltd
The Wolf Shock decking system eases the shock impacted on leg joints and lower back when travelling in a motorised vessel across the sea. Extensive testing has been carried out over the past two years, which has proved the decking is reliably effective. After slight modifications, the decking is now ready to be put into service with commercial operators.

Seawork 2014 will see the launch of the new product.

Stand Q120

By Rachael Doyle