What's New At Saab Seaeye (2013)
 

To receive regular information about new Seaeye Products, Services and News please click here to register

Archive: 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

17 May 2013

KEY PROMOTIONS AS SAAB SEAEYE GROWS

Two key promotions to the management team at Saab Seaeye come as the world leader in underwater vehicles significantly expands its engineering and its customer support capabilities.

Newly promoted to Engineering Manager is Terry Wood, with Chris Henderson promoted to Customer Support Manager.

Terry Wood heads a major expansion of Saab Seaeye's engineering resources that include new product development and a growing team of engineers.

Before joining the company a year ago, he held engineering management positions in the aerospace industry, and in safety and reliability consultancy.

Chris Henderson now manages an expanding customer support function for underwater vehicle systems around the world, including the provision of spares, 24 hour technical support and product service.

Having joined the company in 1998 as an apprentice, Chris brings considerable knowledge and experience to the role of customer and distributor support across all Saab Seaeye vehicles.

The new appointments follow news that the company has doubled its manufacturing facilities.

click image to enlarge		click image to enlarge
Chris Henderson Customer Support Manager		Terry Wood Engineering Manager

Saab Seaeye is the world's largest manufacturer and market leader in electric ROV systems, and provider of autonomous and hybrid underwater vehicles. Markets include offshore energy, defence forces, marine science and hydro-engineering.

For more information contact:

Matt Bates
Saab Seaeye Limited
+44 (0)1489 898 000

www.seaeye.com

03 May 2013

SAAB SEAEYE OPENS US OFFICE

Saab Seaeye has expanded its international presence by opening an office in Houston, Texas.

The company is already the world's largest manufacturer of electric remotely operated underwater vehicles with distributors in 26 countries and over 700 systems sold worldwide.

"The move places us in an ideal position to support sales and service in the region," says Saab Seaeye director, Matt Bates.

"America and the Gulf of Mexico in particular, is an important market and Houston is the ideal base."

He explains that the office will grow to offer technical support, spares and service support.

"Our distributors around the world already offer a range of support services to their regions, and Houston is a natural service hub for the Americas."

Spare parts for Seaeye's range of commercial ROV and Hybrid AUV systems are currently being located in Houston to strengthen the service provided to existing and future customers in the region.

click image to enlarge

Chris Roper North America Sales Manager Commercial Underwater Systems

The office is headed by Chris Roper, previously Saab Seaeye's North American distributor, who recently relocated to Houston to set up the new operation.

Saab Seaeye's Falcon ROV range is also sold and supported in the USA by Symphotic TII Corporation, located in Camarillo, California.

Saab Seaeye is the world's largest manufacturer and market leader in electric ROV systems, and provider of autonomous and hybrid underwater vehicles. Markets include offshore energy, defence forces, marine science and hydro-engineering. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Saab Underwater Systems.

For more information contact:

Chris Roper
Saab Seaeye
Saab North America, Inc.
16225 Park Ten Place,
Suite 500,
Houston TX 77084
+1 (713) 993 7733
+1 (571) 294 8418


www.seaeye.com

Jack Roberts
Symphotic TII Corporation
880 Calle Plano, Unit K
Camarillo, CA 93012
+1 (805) 484 6639


Matt Bates
Saab Seaeye Limited
+44 (0)1489 898 000

www.seaeye.com

26 April 2013

BIGGEST TEST TANK OPENED BY SAAB SEAEYE

The largest indoor test facility ever before dedicated to the development of unmanned underwater vehicles has been opened by Saab Seaeye.

click image to enlarge

First underwater vehicle cuts ribbon in new test tank opening ceremony

Located in Linköping, Sweden, the test tank will allow new underwater systems technology to be trialled and tested in a controlled environment rather than in a lake or at sea.

The tank is 6 metres deep, 10 metres in diameter and holds approximately 470 cubic metres of water.

click image to enlarge

Görgen Johansson Senior Vice President and Head of Saab's Business Area Dynamics

"Saab's underwater operations are currently in a very expansive phase," explains Görgen Johansson, Senior Vice President and Head of Saab's Business Area Dynamics, "and by investing in ultra-modern facilities such as this, we increase our ability to offer underwater systems and solutions for both military and civil applications."

The company sees the new facility bringing significant savings in time and costs, whilst offering a unique opportunty to develop and trial underwater systems that will future strenghen its product portfolio.

Saab has a world leading position in the field of unmanned underwater vehicles and is the world's largest manufacturer of electric remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROVs). Typical applications are offshore energy, mine reconnaissance and location of accident victims. With Saab's underwater technologies, these jobs can be performed reliably and cost-effectively.

For more information contact:

Matt Bates
Saab Seaeye Limited
+44 (0)1489 898 000

www.seaeye.com

21 April 2013

PRESIDENT AND FALCON HELP LIGHT UP THE BRAIN

Glowing and fluorescent deep-sea creatures could reveal how the mind works.

Bright bioluminescent and fluorescent proteins found in marine life, when attached to human cells, become light-emitting markers that could help map the brain.

click image to enlarge

Fluorescent proteins, when attached to human cells, light up in the brain (Vincent Pieribone's Image courtesy of the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) - PubMed)

President Obama's newly announced 'Brain Activity Map' project, gives impetus to the quest for understanding the human mind.

Alzheimer's and other diseases of the mind, along with cancer, could benefit from tracing otherwise invisible nerve damage.

Searching for the right bioluminescent organisms in the sea are Professor David Gruber at the City University of New York's Baruch College and Vincent Pieribone of The John B. Pierce Laboratory of Yale University.

They plan to send a Saab Seaeye Falcon ROV into the coral ecosystems deep in the mesophotic zones - first off the Florida coast, then in the Solomon Islands and the Red sea. They plan to study the biology of the deep coral reefs systems to better understand their ecology and genetics as well as to isolate novel glowing proteins.

The 1000 metre rated Falcon DR will be packed with the most advanced filming equipment ever fitted to an ROV.

Hollywood grade camera technology, used making movies like 'Avatar', as well as low-light cameras that can see in the dark, will be matched to single-mode fibre optics and a gigabyte Ethernet to give the fastest, highest grade, images possible.

David Gruber's team have collaborated with Professor Chris Roman and Brennan Phillips at the University of Rhode Island and Saab Seaeye engineers to develop new systems that will advance ROV observation technology considerably.

click image to enlarge

The Falcon DR will be fitted with Hollywood-grade camera technology to capture bioluminescent and fluorescent images

Adding and changing equipment on the Falcon is made easy with the ROV's distributed intelligence control system that allows up to 128 different devices to be fitted and changed as needed.

Its advanced system architecture is one reason why David Gruber chose the Falcon explaining: "Its creative design means we can push the limits".

The other reason for choosing such a small but technologically advanced ROV, is that a typical deep exploring ROV is too bulky to operate and poses a hazard to coral, whereas the Falcon DR can be manhandled from a small boat and manoeuvred below the water with delicate precision.

Supported by the National Science Foundation, David Gruber and his multi-university team have carried out initial research from diving in shallower depths but now need to explore deeper coral populations using an ROV.

click image to enlarge

A biofluorescent anemone imaged with scientifically-filtered blue LED lighting and a modified 5K underwater camera that will both be outfitted on the Falcon (Image courtesy of David Gruber/Vincent Pieribone)

Along with some deep corals, around 80 per cent of deep-sea marine life emit light, including jellyfish, squid and krill. The bioluminescence from these living organisms fulfils different purposes, from luring prey, to attracting a mate.

click image to enlarge

Dr David Gruber Assistant Professor of Biology & Environmental Science City University of New York

Imbedding mammalian cells with the genes for light-emitting and fluorescing proteins provides the potential for living cells to be studied noninvasively, without probing of the brain.

David Gruber says that the value of this development embodies the spirit of interdisciplinary research and collaboration between Saab Seaeye, marine biologists, neuroscientists and underwater engineers.

The scientists hope to contribute to President Obama's Brain Activity Map project by offering the kind of technological advance that neuroscientists believe will give a better understanding of the brain in a safer and less intrusive way.

Saab Seaeye is the world's largest manufacturer and market leader in electric ROV systems, and provider of autonomous and hybrid underwater vehicles. Markets include offshore energy, defence forces, marine science and hydro-engineering.

For more information contact:

David Gruber
City University of New York
+01 646 660 6236

http://faculty.baruch.cuny.edu/dgruber

Matt Bates
Saab Seaeye Limited
+44 (0)1489 898 000

www.seaeye.com

03 April 2013

ROYAL NAVY VISIT SAAB SEAEYE

The Royal Navy visited Saab Seaeye to view the company's range of underwater vehicle technology designed for maritime defence.

click image to enlarge

Managing Director, Jon Robertson, with Commodore Alex Burton, Head of Maritime Capability, Royal Navy and Peter Hultin, Managing Director, Saab Technologies UK Ltd

A delegation led by Commodore Alex Burton, head of Maritime Capability, toured the facilities at Fareham, which have recently doubled in size since the opening of a second factory building.

The Navy say they are looking for innovative mine disposal systems beyond those currently in service.

They are particularly interested in the potential offered by unmanned systems coming from Saab Seaeye's new range of hybrid underwater vehicles.

click image to enlarge

Tour of Saab Seaeye facility

There is a growing demand from the Royal Navy for both autonomous underwater vehicles and remotely operated vehicles, and Saab Seaeye has long supplied navies around the world with vehicles of different sizes and capabilities for various tasks, including mine warfare, search & salvage and submarine rescue.

click image to enlarge Commodore Alex Burton in control cabin		click image to enlarge Tank demonstration of ballista mine neutralisation system on Falcon ROV

During the visit the delegation saw a demonstration of a Falcon ROV operating a ballista mine neutralisation system.

Hosting the visit was Saab Seaeye's managing director, Jon Robertson and defence sales manager, Chris Lade. Amongst those involved in the visit were Commander Mark Atkinson, Fleet Mine Warfare, Diving and EOD Future Capability, Royal Navy; Bert Johansson,sales director defence, Saab Seaeye; Peter Hultin, managing director, Saab Technologies UK and Alex Alderson, director futures, Saab Training at Westbury.

click image to enlarge

Ade Rowe explaining a Panther XT electronics pod to Alex Burton, Head of Maritime Capabilities, Royal Navy

The visit comes as Maritime Capability moves from London to the Navy Command Headquarters at Portsmouth.

Saab Seaeye is the world's largest manufacturer and market leader in electric ROV systems, and provider of autonomous and hybrid underwater vehicles. Markets include offshore energy, defence forces, marine science and hydro-engineering.

For more information contact:

Matt Bates
Saab Seaeye Limited
+44 (0)1489 898 000

www.seaeye.com

28 March 2013

BRAZIL GETS ANOTHER LYNX

Belov Engenharia has ordered a second Saab Seaeye Lynx ROV for its operations in Brazil's vast oil fields.

General Manager, André Weber Carneiro explains why he favours the Lynx. "It's powerful for its type, with a good depth rating that enables us to perform a wide span of services."

He says that the model has the power to handle some work tooling not usually possible in an ROV of its size. "And still has power left over to go where you want, and do what is needed."

click image to enlarge

The six thruster 1500 metre-rated Lynx

The six thruster 1500 metre-rated Lynx will be used for the inspection of oil lines, risers and jackets.

For line inspection a Tritech digital precision altimeter has been fitted to maintain accurate offset from the seabed as the ROV follows the pipeline.

When undertaking jacket inspection, a fitted CDL fibre-optic gyro means there is no magnetic interference from the jacket structure whilst accurately tracking the ROV's motion.

Along with the existing Lynx and a deep-rated falcon, the new ROV will work from both fixed rigs and ships.

Constantly moving the ROV system across and between rigs makes the Lynx system and its tether management cage an ideal choice, as it is particularly easy to relocate, says André Weber Carneiro.

He also says that operating the ROV from a cage reduces the influence of currents - even though its thruster power still allows precise manoeuvrability whilst swimming on its 250 metre excursion tether.

Other hi-spec equipment fitted to the system includes a Seaeye wide-angle low-light colour camera, a range of Konsberg cameras, including a high definition low-light CDD camera, a colour zoom camera and a high definition TV camera with fibre output.

A detachable tooling skid is also supplied together with a Gauntlet Plus four-function manipulator with a quick-change feature for fitting a cutter or rotary brush cleaner.

A CP contact probe also comes with the system.

With over 200 billion barrels of reserves estimated in Brazil's oil fields, the demand for powerful and intelligent ROVs that can work reliably in deep water operations will grow as the huge fields are developed.

Belov Engenharia has 30 years experience in civil, harbour and underwater works together with providing offshore services including ROV operations and hydrographic services.

Saab Seaeye is the world's largest manufacturer and market leader in electric ROV systems and hybrid underwater vehicles. Markets include offshore energy, defence forces, marine science and hydro-engineering.

For more information contact:

André Weber Carneiro
Belov Engenharia Ltda
+55 22 2773 5065


Matt Bates
Saab Seaeye Limited
+44 (0)1489 898 000

www.seaeye.com

22 March 2013

SUCCESS SEES SAAB SEAEYE DOUBLING IN SIZE

click image to enlarge

Görgen Johanssen, Head of Dynamics, opens new premises

Global success for Saab Seaeye, the world's largest electric underwater vehicle manufacturer, sees the company double the size of its operations.

Planning for further growth, they have expanded into a second facility in Fareham, Hampshire, UK, within metres of their existing factory of the same size.

click image to enlarge

Görgen Johanssen Head of Dynamics, Saab Group

Opening the new facility, Görgen Johansson, Head of Saab Dynamics, said that the underwater vehicle business is an area of growth that will continue to attract good people and create future innovations such as subsea resident vehicle technology. He also said the oil and gas business and defence businesses act as a hedge for each other in variable business cycles.

click image to enlarge

Additional new premises for Saab Seaeye

Saab Seaeye's Managing Director Jon Robertson explained that the extra space would allow them to expand the engineering team. This will enable the company to invest in new products, whilst offering bespoke engineering solutions for its customers.

The company's existing training facility is being expanded in the new premises with enhanced training packages for customers' operators in the operation and maintenance of Saab Seaeye's underwater vehicles.

click image to enlarge

From left to right: Agneta Kammeby, Chairman; Görgen Johanssen, Head of Dynamics; Jon Robertson, Managing Director and Daniel Hairsnape, Mechanical Design Engineer

The expansion will also free up more space in the existing facility for larger production orders, along with greater stockholding potential so that more 'off the shelf' deliveries can be offered.

This expansion comes as sales grow across its various industries including oil and gas, renewable energy, defence, marine science and hydro engineering.

Saab Seaeye is the world's largest manufacturer and market leader in electric ROV systems, and provider of autonomous and hybrid underwater vehicles. Markets include offshore energy, defence forces, marine science and hydro-engineering.

For more information contact:

Matt Bates
Saab Seaeye Limited
+44 (0)1489 898 000

www.seaeye.com

27 February 2013

SAAB SEAEYE'S SMALL ASSEMBLY DEPARTMENT FIRST WITH 5S

Marking the successful introduction of the internationally renown 5S manufacturing system into the company, Saab Seaeye's Small Assembly Department becomes the first to win the accolade of top department.

click image to enlarge

First year's 5S Champions League winners - Small Assembly Team Shirley Mundy, Tim Moon, Aaron Jenkinson, Ken Baseley, Adrian Dickson and Team Leader, David Pycroft

The 5S system is adopted by leading organisations the world over as a proven way of improving manufacturing efficiency.

It is the first building block of lean manufacturing and was conceived in Japan by Hiroyuki Hirano, and introduced to Toyota with great success, and is now adopted around the globe.

The 5S's denote: sorting, setting in order, shining, standardising and sustaining.

Adopting the system is found to quickly bring efficiency, improved quality and speedier delivery to an organisation and its customers.

"The effect can clearly be seen," says Operations Director, Mark Exeter, observing that the transformation is particularly evident to anyone visiting the company. "Customers like what they see and appreciate the benefits it brings in terms of quality and delivery."

Maintaining the momentum of the commitment is important to its success.

click image to enlarge

Mark Exeter, Operations Director, presents 5S Champions League cup to David Pycroft, Team Leader, Small Assembly

"Training and auditing keep the momentum going," explains Mark Exeter, "whilst scoring and league tables introduce friendly rivalry and fun." Adding that the concept works best when habit-forming.

Staff involvement is the key to success according to Hiroyuki Hirano who suggests that employees must feel valued by the company for the system to work.

Saab Seaeye is the world's largest manufacturer and market leader in electric ROV systems, and provider of autonomous and hybrid underwater vehicles. Markets include offshore energy, defence forces, marine science and hydro-engineering.

For more information contact:

Matt Bates
Saab Seaeye Limited
+44 (0)1489 898 000

www.seaeye.com

08 January 2013

PANTHER WINS OVER PERSIAN GULF

Abu Dhabi-based, CCC (Underwater Engineering), reports significant savings in operational costs since deploying their new Saab Seaeye Panther XT Plus ROV in the shallow waters of the upper Persian Gulf.

"Its ten-thruster power easily overcomes the four-knot currents," says CCC's ROV Manager, Tavis Letherby, "and having two powerful Schilling manipulators to hand is a combination that stands out from everything else."

He finds that 90 per cent of the tasks normally undertaken by CCC's 150 HP hydraulic work-class ROVs is now possible with the Panther, bringing major savings in costs and logistics.

click image to enlarge

He quotes the ease of moving a 14 ton system rather than one weighing 60 tons; or having a faster 12 hour set up, rather than taking four days; and providing just 150 kVA of power generation instead of 500 kVA. Adding that spares and repairs are also cheaper.

"Being able to use smaller ships in support of a smaller system is a big advantage in the upper Gulf," says Letherby, who points out that big vessels are not as viable in the shallow waters of the region as in other parts of the world.

Its hyper-saline waters also make the electric vehicles better suited to the Gulf when compared with an hydraulic ROV that can have problems keeping oil cool.

What particularly wins over his clients, says Letherby, is the unique combination of 10 powerful thrusters and twin Schilling manipulators, which means the ROV can hold station in strong cross currents whilst working at complex or robust tasks.

"In the Panther, we get a vehicle that has 50 per cent more power than any other ROV of its type, can swim 30 per cent faster - and has a manipulator package with the dexterity of a human arm, yet the muscle power of an hydraulic work ROV."

He quotes one client saving 10 hours of barge time and other costs in their pipe laying operations by using the Panther XT Plus, rather than an hydraulic work ROV to release a Head of Pipe Anchorage made fast to a platform leg. Typically an hydraulic work vehicle would be launched to cut through and sacrifice a 75mm wire pendant. The cost-saving alternative was to secure the anchorage with disposable six-inch rope that could be cut with a knife - a task normally needing a diver's dexterity (and lengthy dive time whilst working in 60 metres) but made possible with the humanoid deftness of the Panther's powerful manipulator that can slice through the rope in a moment.

The design of the new Panther XT Plus draws upon the success of the Panther light work ROV concept with an added power boost and re-designed front end that can accommodate a greater range of tools and sensors including the larger and heavier manipulator arms.

For working to a tight deadline or in difficult conditions, the 10 thrusters in hand brings an added bonus to CCC operators by offering a reassuringly high level of redundancy.

CCC's 1000 metre-rated Panther XT Plus comes with an electronics pod for additional sensors, four cameras including a Kongsberg compact zoom model, and a Tritech Super SeaKing sonar, together with the Schilling manipulators and a tether management system.

Saab Seaeye is the world's largest manufacturer and market leader in electric ROV systems, and provider of autonomous and hybrid underwater vehicles. Markets include offshore energy, defence forces, marine science and hydro-engineering.

CCC (Underwater Engineering) S.A.C., established in 1976, is a leading provider of offshore construction and subsea services to the oil and gas industry in the Middle East and Indian regions.

For more information contact:

Matt Bates
Saab Seaeye Limited
+44 (0)1489 898 000

www.seaeye.com

Tavis Letherby
CCC (Underwater Engineering) S.A.L.
+971 2 555 3656

www.cccuwe.ae