New head for ROCOL technical team

Friday, 17th June 2022

A new Technical Manager has joined the team at global industrial lubricants, cutting fluids and line marking systems manufacturer, ROCOL.

Carmen Martinez Lerga joins from her previous role as Formulations Project Manager at Thornton & Ross with an extensive career in pharmaco-cosmetics and oils in companies such as Stada, Unilever and Croda.

ROCOL is a market leader in the manufacture of high-performance lubricants for some of the most challenging operations and applications in industry. The company’s industrial lubricants, cutting fluids and line marking systems are used by engineers across the globe in the industrial, food processing, metalworking, aerospace, site safety and heavy industry sectors.

Part of ITW, a multinational, US-owned, Fortune 150 company, ROCOL is one of 6 teams within the ITW Fluids Europe division that Carmen will be responsible for in her new role.

Carmen brings a wealth of experience in the formulation and reformulation of products to meet changing regulatory demands, and she has a track record of developing and mentoring scientists to build teams that deliver high-quality research and product development.

Carmen’s work also includes extensive project management and working with regulatory bodies to achieve accreditation for products, enabling them to be marketed and sold.

At ROCOL, Carmen will be working with her teams to ensure that ROCOL remains an innovator in the market and ensure that products continue to deliver the results that customers expect. She will also be looking at the way the technical teams work together to ensure that they have the support they need to respond quickly to customer needs.

Carmen says, “The business has a culture and appetite to continually evolve and improve. This is a fantastic environment to work in and I have had a warm welcome from everyone. My aim is to support the team and our customers as we continue to develop new, industry-leading products. The potential is huge, and the prospect of heading up such a skilled and knowledgeable technical team is one that I relish.”

Commercial Director Andrew Hemingway says, “Carmen is fantastic to have in the business and I know that we will benefit from her significant knowledge in managing projects and teams. Her leadership will be invaluable as we look to bring together the technical departments across ITW Fluids Europe to share knowledge and experience. This will help us continue to evolve and stay ahead of our competitors.

Successful presence of Bevaldia in the Posidonia exhibition

Thursday, 16th June 2022

The company BEVALDIA (Manager of the branches PSOMAKARA & GAMSRO) is pleased to inform you that it successfully closed its presence at the Posidonia. Hundreds of customers, friends, collaborators, and new potential customers visited us where we exchanged our views on the maritime sector and marine construction industry.

The company BEVALDIA is active in underwater operations, dry ship repairs, and agency services in 23 countries worldwide, while new bases shortly will be announced.

We look forward to receiving your requests at info@bevaldia.com, while useful information can be found on our official site https://www.bevaldia.com

Hydroscands HoseExpress Mobile Hose Team Goes Fully Digital

Thursday, 16th June 2022

Pen and paper job notes will soon be a thing of the past after a successful trial period of a full digital system. With trials of multiple software providers being conducted in 2021 Hydroscand UK has now rolled out a fully digital solution for the HoseExpress Mobile Hose Technicians across the UK.

Until recently, HoseExpress technicians would complete site risk assessments and job sheets on paper. That system has worked well for our customers for many years. However, digitalisation is a key part of both Hydroscand Group and Hydroscand UK’s business strategy. This is because we are always customer-driven and aim to provide innovative services and solutions. Digitalisation will facilitate process improvements, increase the speed and accuracy of transactions, and reduce admin time, so, based on feedback from customers and team members, and with more solutions now readily available in the market, we decided to move to a digital solution for our mobile marine hose repair service.

Towards the end of 2021, we started working to find a suitable application to manage our HoseExpress job sheets. Joblogic® was one of three systems we reviewed in detail. Jason Bray, HoseExpress Development Manager and Josh Legg, Mobile Hose Technician in Southampton tested the system and we decided to go ahead. Joblogic® is well established in the UK and has over 4,000 current users.

This is a very exciting step for us and the investment demonstrates our commitment to finding customer-focused digital solutions. We decided to provide new mobile phones for our technicians to support the use of the software. As well as that, we have invested in the software itself and training to support the teams in getting going with the new way of working. Despite the initial outlay and ongoing fees, we believe the system be cost-effective very quickly because of the time saved handling paperwork and the increased accuracy and traceability offered by having a digital system. We will also be able to gather real time data, which we will use over time to refine our service and improve our customer experience. Our main aim is to improve our customers’ experience.

The new solution will provide customers with a system that enables them to request jobs directly, track the technician’s progress and review history of the jobs we have completed. Should customers require, an automatic message can be sent by SMS or email letting them know when our technicians are travelling, on site and leaving site. A risk assessment for every job we attend and ‘before’ and ‘after’ photographs of the work carried out will also be available to download directly.

Alongside the benefits for our customers and for Hydroscand, we believe the system will

provide a better experience for our team members. Several of our technicians were used to working in this way from previous employment and expect to have a digital application. As the workforce changes and more millennials and so-called digital natives join our teams, this expectation will only increase. Professional, safety focussed and paperless solutions will be one of many aspects to consider in attracting and retaining team members. So far, adoption has been good amongst the team, with feedback positive and constructive.

We are very pleased with the system so far and are looking forward to inviting customers to log in directly in the coming weeks. If you would like any further information about our HoseExpress hose replacement service or would like to request a login, please contact your local Hydroscand branch team, who will be happy to help.

Seawork Commercial Marine is back for 2022

Monday, 13th June 2022

The highly anticipated return of the 23rd edition of Seawork, Europe’s largest on-water commercial marine exhibition, takes place over three days 21-23 June. It is a ”one stop shop” for buyers and offers a unique combination of undercover exhibition space, open air demonstrations and floating displays.

Held in the port city of Southampton, this will be the first Seawork in over 1100 days and is the first post-Brexit, post-pandemic commercial marine business networking opportunity. It is supported by the industry’s key associations and organisations, this year focussing on how the multi-faceted commercial marine industry is adapting and innovating in the face of economic, environmental and political upheaval.

Marine Civils is co-located with Seawork and is preceded by the specialist sector event on high-speed operations, Speed@Seawork on Monday 20 June, in Cowes on the Isle of Wight.

The return of an in-person Seawork is an exciting opportunity. It has something for everyone in the industry to learn and take away to improve their businesses. That is in addition to catching up with colleagues in-person and meeting new ones.

New Vessels, Equipment and Services

There is the opportunity to view afloat on the Seawork pontoon a number of innovative new vessels with the design focus on efficiency and reducing costs. This is in addition to the myriad of new items of equipment and services on display, all helping to extend the range of and streamline operations.

On the Pontoons

MHO-Co’s new crew transfer vessel (CTV) will be demonstrating the novel technology onboard, diesel-electric operation, low fuel consumption Dynamic Positioning System-mode and new Human Machine Interface (HMI).

Seawork exhibitor Diverse Marine working with BAR Technologies and SEACAT Services will be showing the ground-breaking BARTech30, a 30-metre crew transfer vessel for taking technicians to work on wind turbines (amongst other uses).

The aim being to improve sea keeping and help make a green energy sector even greener by dramatically reducing fuel requirements and CO2 emissions.

Get Set for Workboat 2050 & Learning from the USV and Hybrid Conferences

In the latest in a series of conferences on the road to net-zero, the Commercial Marine Network ‘Get set for Workboat 2050’ looks at ‘Hydrogen & Clean Growth opportunities – Is there a place for hydrogen in the decarbonisation roadmap for the workboat sector?’
There are also two other half day conferences highlighting the practical application of ‘Uncrewed Surface Vessels (USVs); USVs’ Growing Role in the Commercial Marine Market’ and ‘Hybrid & Electric Propulsion – Real world implementation of Hybrid & Electric Propulsion Solutions’.

The Civil Engineering Contractors Association, along with meetings of the CECA Flood & Marine and Environment Groups, will discuss ‘Infrastructure associated with the Marine Environment’ highlighting Freeports (Solent Freeport), investment and development in the region. ‘Responding to the Climate Challenge’ delves into HVO fuels and Low Carbon Concrete and innovation within the marine civils environment.

The Workboat Association Safety Forum in partnership with the British Tug Owners Association will debate equipment and methods and share expert knowledge on one of the most significant topics on the water – MOB (ManOverBoard) Recovery.

Workboat Code Update

The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) will give the update on the aims and requirements of the new Workboat Code. This session brings an update on the introduction of the High-Speed Offshore Service Craft Code and a closer look into the developments that have been made in the latest revision to the Workboat Code, what has changed and when to expect these amendments to come into force.

Opportunities with the UK MOD

The UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the UK Department of International Trade (DIT) will take existing and potential sector suppliers through the opportunities available through the domestic procurement program and international business.

Tidal Energy Opportunities

This is a TIGER Supply Chain event for the Channel region. ORE Catapult are leading the Tidal Stream Industry Energiser project (TIGER) which is Interreg’s largest ever project recently increased in value to over €48m. Partners include world leading tidal stream technology/project developers, 2 of which are located very close to Seawork. TIGER partners will present on the opportunities and prospects within the tidal stream sector.

Port decarbonisation and smart energy solutions for ports

This workshop will present the Port of Portsmouth as a case study for combining renewable generating capacity with innovative energy storage solutions and advanced energy management systems. It is a chance to learn about supply chain opportunities in port decarbonisation.

Speed@Seawork

Fast vessels operating at high speed for security interventions and Search And Rescue (SAR) are a significant specialist sector and the focus of Speed@Seawork, which is aimed squarely at facilitating growth and development for the design, build and operation of these specialist vessels. Military and industry experts will share their thoughts on future vessels and mission requirements, and the challenge of re-powering fast craft fleets in a changing world. This event is held the day before Seawork on Monday 20 June, in Cowes, Isle of Wight.

Training and Careers Thursday

The multiplicity of opportunities available in the Commercial Marine World will be a surprise to some and a magnet for those looking for deeply absorbing and rewarding roles (or even a change of career direction). Maritime Training & Careers Day on Thursday 23 June is aimed at students aged 16-19 years. Working with Maritime UK and the Solent LEP, Seawork is hosting a programme of presentations, competitions, quizzes and job vacancies all designed to engage and deliver.

The ECMAs & Innovation Showcase

The European Commercial Marine Awards (ECMAs), incorporating the Innovations Showcase Category Awards, attracts entries from across Europe, recognises the depth of excellence in commercial marine and celebrates the outstanding individuals and innovative companies that comprise this vibrant and productive industry sector.

WiMI

Seawork’s Women in Marine Industry event returns in person for Seawork2022. Join our inspirational speakers as they share their stories, their challenges, and their achievements. The event offers women in the commercial marine industry an opportunity to share career experiences and know-how, renew and expand networks, and hear about key industry developments

All weather workboat berthing solutions for port and harbour operations at Seawork

Wednesday, 1st June 2022

Specialists in pontoon manufacture and design, Inland and Coastal Marina Systems (ICMS) will be showcasing its unique berthing options for workboats and crew transfer vessels (CTV) at Seawork, 21-23 June 2022.

Specifically aimed at supporting operations in commercial ports and harbours, ICMS’ tailor-made solutions provide safe working conditions for workers all year round, day and night.

For each project, ICMS works with individual port authorities, power companies and other interested parties to ensure that its bespoke water access solutions meet a customer’s requirements. Often working with limited space, ICMS takes into account the existing infrastructure of the port or harbour, ensuring the most cost-effective and sustainable solution is created.

Last year, Portland Harbour Authority approached ICMS to design a custom berth to accommodate its new 287T tug, within the confines of its existing operational pontoons and factoring in its higher freeboard. The result was a 21.5m heavy-duty pontoon with a 750mm freeboard, with a durable, anti-slip surface provided by the Glass Reinforced Fibre (Work Surface) decking.

“We are pleased with our existing Inland and Coastal harbour workboat pontoons. I was confident their practical, design engineering skills would solve our new tugboat berth requirement in a tight corner of the harbour,” says Alex Hayes, general manager dryside.
“Within no time at all they had worked out how to make it fit and resolved the issue of connecting into existing pontoons and access ways at different levels.”

With the growth in the offshore renewable energy sector, new operations and maintenance (O&M) bases are required. ICMS’ highly experienced in-house design team can design specialised pontoons for these bases with variable freeboard heights, matching those of the crew transfer vessels using them.

On Montrose Port’s South Quay, ICMS recently installed a new 30m heavy-duty pontoon to service the Seagreen Offshore Wind Farm, Scotland’s largest windfarm. With GRP decking suitable for commercial application offering excellent anti-slip properties coupled with high-level task lighting, the CTV crews will benefit from safe access to vessels during the commissioning and ongoing maintenance phases of the offshore facilities.

Lynn Sayer, business and commercial manager at Montrose Port Authority, comments: “We’re delighted with the new 30m pontoon which will soon see operations staff and maintenance teams safely boarding crew vessels for transfer to the Seagreen Offshore Wind Farm.

“The decision to award the contract for this project to Inland and Coastal Marina Systems has proved a very wise investment, with the resulting facility not only being extremely well designed and engineered, but delivered on time and on budget.”

If you’re interested in learning more about improving your commercial berthing facilities to increase port revenues or replacing your existing water access for workboats and CTVs, the experts at Inland and Coastal Marina Systems will be on stand G47 at Seawork.

MJR Power and Automation Unveils Innovative Offshore Technology at Exclusive Maritime Event

Wednesday, 1st June 2022

MJR Power and Automation has presented its ground-breaking offshore wind vessel charging system at the highly anticipated Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition Final Showcase hosted by Department for Transport (DfT), Innovate UK and Innovate UK KTN.

Opened by the Maritime Minister, Robert Courts MP – and held at Portsmouth International Port – the event brought together 55 projects from across the UK that received funding by the Department for Transport and delivered in partnership with Innovate UK as part of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition.

As one of the flagship projects – MJR Power and Automation has been able to successfully fast-track the development of the world’s first fully automated offshore wind vessel charging system, demonstrating energy delivered direct from the wind turbine, which the company showcased at the event.

To bring the project into fruition, MJR Power and Automation led a consortium of partners – Ore Catapult; Xceco; Artemis Technologies and Tidal Transit – who all provided expertise in their given field to develop the system in only a matter of seven months.

Most recently, the company has announced construction and in-house testing have now been successfully completed on the offshore charging system that is set to revolutionise the offshore wind sector.

The charge points will enable all electric crew transfer vessels and other offshore support vessels to connect in the field to a 100% green energy source generated directly by the offshore wind turbines for the efficient, safe and reliable transfer of power.

This innovation will break down the existing range barriers and increase the uptake by vessel owners and operators with the transition to fully electric and green propulsion systems, for retrofit and new build vessels. In combination with other field-proven technologies, the charging system will be an important part for government and offshore wind owners and operators, to achieve their net zero maritime operations targets, and switch away from fossil fuels. The ability to charge when in the field, will significantly accelerate the adoption of current emission-free propulsion systems which will be a major asset for the decarbonisation of the global maritime sector.

Speaking about the event, Paul Cairns, Managing Director at MJR Power and Automation said: “We are delighted to have been able to showcase our development amongst a series of UK innovators transforming marine operations.

“It has been a monumental achievement for MJR Power and Automation to fast track this ground-breaking development in such a short period of time, with special thanks to our consortium of experts who have been instrumental in driving the project forward.

“With vital schemes, such as this, we have been able to demonstrate our innovative capabilities – coupled with unrivalled knowledge and expertise possessed by our world-class team – to develop world-leading technology that will be absolutely vital in the decarbonisation of marine operations.”

With over 25 years’ experience delivering marine electrical power and automation projects from new build, retrofit and upgrade, MJR Power & Automation is at the very forefront of providing innovative solutions – both at port and offshore – to support the decarbonisation of the maritime sector. The company provides a complete turnkey offering of both products and solutions from power and propulsion, automation and energy storage to equipment, remote monitoring and shore power supplies.

Acquisition allows Somers Forge to triple its CNC machining capacity

Wednesday, 1st June 2022

Somers Forge the UK’s leading open die forge has acquired A&B Richardson Engineering, based in Oldbury. The company which is best known for being a tool and die manufacturer, has continually invested in a variety of CNC machines and CAD design capabilities.

The acquisition of the machine shop is part of the Somers Forge long term strategy to expand machining capacity and capabilities after seeing increased demand for finished components.

The established machining facility and long-serving experienced machinists provides immediate capacity for fulfilling the recent order book growth. A&B Richardson has been a trusted sub-contract machining facility, used by Somers Forge for many years.

Alex Cross, Production Director – “Last year we made a million-pound investment on a new CNC vertical boring machine which will help us to manage capacity for that range of product. We also recognised the need for greater capacity with CNC milling so the acquisition of A&B Richardson was the perfect solution.

The purchase has tripled our CNC machining capacity and further enhanced our capabilities, allowing us to continue to offer competitive lead times and products of the highest quality’’.

A&B Richardson Engineering will continue to operate under the same name.

About Somers Forge

Somers Forge is a leading UK-based manufacturer specialising in high-quality, precision-forged components for a variety of industries, including aerospace, marine, defense, energy, and rail. Located in Halesowen, West Midlands, Somers Forge has a rich history dating back to its establishment in the late 1800s. Over the years, the company has evolved into a world-renowned forge, known for its exceptional craftsmanship, technological innovation, and commitment to quality.

Somers Forge offers a comprehensive range of forging services, from open die forging to closed die forging, catering to both small and large-scale projects. Their state-of-the-art facility includes some of the most powerful open-die hydraulic presses and hammers in Europe, allowing them to produce highly customised components up to 100 tonnes in weight. With an extensive array of machining capabilities, heat treatment facilities, and rigorous testing procedures, Somers Forge ensures that each component meets the exacting standards of its clients.

One of the company’s specialties is its ability to work with an extensive variety of metals and alloys, including stainless steel, nickel alloys, aluminum, and titanium. This versatility allows the company to produce components that meet the unique demands of high-stress applications, such as marine shafts, aerospace landing gears, and defense artillery. Their marine-grade materials, in particular, are forged to withstand corrosive environments and the stresses of offshore and subsea applications, making Somers Forge a trusted supplier in the global maritime industry.

Quality is central to the companies operations. The company operates under ISO 9001 and AS 9100 standards, reflecting its dedication to delivering superior-quality products. Their in-house testing facilities conduct non-destructive and destructive testing to verify each component’s integrity, durability, and performance. The rigorous quality control process helps Somers Forge maintain a reputation for reliability and precision in critical industries where safety and performance are paramount.

In addition to its technical capabilities, Somers Forge prides itself on its customer-centric approach, providing end-to-end support to clients. From initial design consultation to final delivery, their experienced team works closely with clients to ensure that each project is tailored to exact specifications. This collaborative approach allows Somers Forge to deliver innovative and effective solutions for highly specialised applications.

With over a century of expertise in forging and a commitment to excellence, Somers Forge continues to set industry standards in the UK and worldwide. The company’s unique blend of tradition and innovation has made it a trusted partner for industries that demand high-performance, precision-forged components.

RS Electric Boats and Cheetah Marine to collaborate on electric workboats

Friday, 27th May 2022

British powerhouses RS Electric Boats and Cheetah Marine International are joining forces to develop a new generation of electric workboats. The companies, both based on the UK’s south coast (RS Electric Boats at Hamble Point, and Cheetah Marine at Ventnor, Isle of Wight), will be working together to accelerate the evolution of dependable electric boats for commercial, and leisure, use.

The exciting development starts with commercial applications. Initially electric workboats will be developed and delivered under a combination of the RS Electric Boats and Cheetah brands, with electric catamaran adventure boats to follow.

The first of the electric workboats will be launched in Spring 2023, with the first adventure boat to be displayed at Boot Düsseldorf.

The collaboration officially launches in June 2022. This move is typical of RS Sailing (parent of RS Electric Boats) which is looking to expand its group of marine companies as it seeks exciting opportunities to deliver against its environmental objectives.

Both companies will be exhibiting side-by-side at SeaWork (21-23 June).

RS says that future boats produced under Cheetah will have the option to be made EV Ready, even if a few customers still specify fossil-fuel power. The ability to retro-fit electric propulsion will be available within the model range.

First steps include pairing designs, taking Cheetah Marine’s catamaran designs and finding synergies with RS Electric Boats’ electric-specific boat design. Cheetah Marine’s catamarans are already known for their stability, spacious working deck space and rough sea handling while RS Electric Boats specialises in fully integrated systems and managing weight reduction in the manufacturing.

Together they aim to produce electric workboat catamarans suitable for a wide range of applications.

Both companies see immediate benefits, aside from shared business synergies with admin, marketing and manufacturing. Cheetah Marine’s international reputation for stability and space will be further expanded under the RS marine group’s mass production and logistical capabilities.

Plus, they each bring a unique blend of innovation to the partnership.

“Cheetah Marine is very well respected,” says Jon Partridge, CEO for RS’ marine group of businesses. “Sean Strevens, its founder, has been developing his designs for 30 years, creating catamarans to handle rough seas and beach safely in surf. He’s got customers ranging from expedition skippers to patrol personnel with hydrographic surveyors and more in the middle. His innovative design was originally for him to conquer surf when commercial fishing. It’s a proven concept and he’s sold over 600.”

“RS Sailing’s knowledge of lightweight materials, and RS Electric Boats’ experience of designing electric specific craft are invaluable,” says Sean Strevens, founder, Cheetah Marine. “They’re both companies who innovate and deliver. Their experiences – working to solve the challenges that their customers and the environment face – mirror ours. Which is why we’re bringing the two together to mould commercial electric catamarans.”

Cheetah Marine is currently developing zero-emissions catamarans in its Portugal factory, using experience developed from building a Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine (HICE) powered Cheetah in 2015.

“We already have the greatest infrastructure on the planet, every pontoon has charging on it,” says Partridge. “Couple that with adventure boats for the whole family to enjoy as there’s space on a catamaran to carry all the toys – for example, while one parent fishes, the other can paddleboard and the children can kayak – and you’ve got a stable, attractive, environmentally friendly combination.”

The Genesis GRP Kiosks by leading UK manufacturer, Glasdon, offer the ideal focal point for visitors.

Friday, 27th May 2022

Robust, sturdy, and adaptable, the Genesis GRP Kiosks are suitable for various outdoor applications, including ticket and information points, security checkpoints and sentry posts. Insulated and weather-resistant, the kiosks are a low-maintenance and affordable housing solution.

Following on from a previous delivery of Genesis Kiosks in 2017, Anglesey County Council returned to Glasdon for a further two warden housings. Pleased with the durability and weather resistance of the Genesis GRP 2.3 x 1.5m Kiosk, choosing a housing option was easy, and two Genesis Kiosks were selected to meet their needs.

Known for being one of the best slipways in Anglesey for launching watercraft, Porth Y Wrach slipway in Menai Bridge is a popular paradise for water sports. Accessible virtually 24/7, the slipway is a common destination for residents and visitors alike and, with the addition of a Genesis GRP Kiosk, provides access to wardens for information and guidance.

Located beside Porth Y Wrach slipway, the kiosk creates an accessible and durable visitor and information point. Fitted with double-glazed windows, a galvanised subframe and flame retardant panels as standard, the Genesis GRP Kiosk will withstand adverse weather while providing users with comfort regardless of the weather.

During the off-season, built-in forklift points enable the kiosks to be transported to warehouses for storage or repurposed elsewhere until required again.

Fitting custom imagery to the kiosk, Anglesey County Council adapted their warden housing to promote local scenery and important contact information. A friendly ‘Respect The Water’ message is also a prominent panel feature, reminding visitors and residents to clean up after themselves and maintain awareness of their surroundings and safety when out on the water.
The Genesis GRP 2.3 x 1.5m Kiosk is also available as a double sliding window model.

Key Features and Benefits

Glass Reinforced Plastic – a robust and sturdy material that creates a strong and long-lasting building solution.
Built-In Forklift Points – allow portability between locations.
Low Cost – a competitive price creates a cost-effective solution without compromising on quality.
Reduced Lead Times – allow for quicker delivery.
Double-Glazed Windows and Galvanised Subframe – offers weather resistance.
Fully Flame-Retardant Panels – protect the kiosk from fire damage.
Versatility – provides a building option for all requirements.
Five Standard Models Available – protects against vandalism.
Personalisation Available – allows organisations and businesses to highlight important messages, increase brand visibility and promote activities and scenery.

Typical Applications:

Security Checkpoints.
Cark Park Kiosks.
Sentry Posts.
Warden Housing.
Toll Booths.
Information Points.
Cash Ticket Kiosk

For more details about the portable Genesis GRP Kiosks visit the Glasdon website today.

DLM Upgrades Marine, Offshore Cable-Laying Hire Fleet

Friday, 27th May 2022

Dynamic Load Monitoring (UK) Ltd. (DLM), of Southampton, UK has expanded its Cable-Laying hire fleet for pre-lay grapnel run (PLGR) and route clearance operations, as the renewable energy and telecommunications sectors prepare for their busiest period of the year offshore.

The most notable recent additions include two acoustic release hooks and a detrenching grapnel with a 1.8m fluke, the prong-shaped tool that enables penetration of the seabed. Meanwhile, the entire product range will transition to TW-3.0 (third generation) technology over the next six months.

The update is opportune with improved northern hemisphere weather conditions at this time of year enabling more projects to get underway with less chance of interruptions. This is significant in a sector where delays caused by product and personnel availability, and other incidents prove extremely costly.

Adrian Farwell, marine sales manager at DLM, said it is also a safety consideration. He explained: “You cannot launch cable laying ploughs, ROVs [remotely operated underwater vehicles], etc. in certain sea states and you wouldn’t want to risk losing the equipment if anything went wrong. You also need to be careful not to damage equipment, especially the cable being laid.”

DLM is already widely known in the UK cable-laying sector but, as Farwell said, it is an industry where you must constantly evolve to stay at the forefront, as demonstrated by the recent upgrade to the hire fleet and supporting technology. The marketplace itself continues to grow too, with PLGR and route clearance operations being outsourced by larger contractors, leading to newcomers to the seas. Where a purpose-built vessel might be required in some instances, there are applications where it makes economic sense to utilise other vessels. DLM is intent on hiring to the market from top to bottom.

Cable-Laying Hire demand

Farwell said: “Budgets and Capex [capital expenditures] mean long-term and new customers favour the hire model. It is also true that storage of items once the operation has finished can be prohibitive. If PLGR is outsourced to a company that does not traditionally do this type of work, they may only have one contract to fulfil so wouldn’t necessarily want to buy a complete set of grapnels only to wait another year before using it again. Hiring means you get serviced, maintained, and certificated equipment when you need it—and can give it back when you don’t.”

Hiring equipment also allows an end user to make sure that the right tool is being applied in every instance, often dictated to by scale, depth, and seabed conditions. The 15t capacity acoustic release hook, for example, offers a new method of wirelessly separating an underwater load from its crane. By using acoustics, rather than divers or ROVs with cutting equipment, this method has the potential to both reduce risk and save time. Once the load is in position a remote acoustic signal received from the surface unit triggers the hinged hook to open, releasing the load.

Detrenching grapnels, meanwhile, are used for removing buried subsea cables; they are scissor-shaped at one end, designed to break the surface of the seabed, and fitted with stabilising bars at the other end, to assist dynamics and balance in the water column and in the seabed. DLM also offers a wide range of specialist monitoring equipment for industry specific applications, ranging from saddleback monitors for PLGR operations, to data loggers for logging subsea loads.

Farwell added: “There aren’t many companies that hire this equipment, especially not manufacturers of the products. This is beneficial in an industry that constantly challenges its suppliers; cables being buried at deeper depths is an example. Our new wheeled de-trenching grapnel is used to de-trench cables buried at depths of greater than 0.5m. Previous designs were only suitable for 1.1m. Notably, DLM is the only company that offers a 1.5m and 1.8m fluke. We’re uniquely placed to respond to—drive, even—constant industry improvement.”

DLM’s PLGR and route clearance products are also available for purchase and are shipped globally.

Author: CGTeam

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