USA-based EdgeTech has announced that John DeMille has joined its team as product line sales engineer.

“John is well known by countless police, fire and public safety dive teams and other dedicated search and recovery teams at the local and federal level throughout the country,” the company said. “He has provided invaluable training, service and sales support on sidescan sonar systems and other important equipment for the industry.”

DeMille has more than 40 years of experience in the marine industry. “He spent 20 years as a US Navy Seabee deep-sea diver serving with the US Navy underwater construction teams and then went on to work as a project superintendent installing marine transatlantic communication cables. Most recently, John worked with Marine Sonic Technology (USA) where he was heavily involved with the sidescan sonar product line,” said EdgeTech.

The company added that DeMille’s new role will be focused on search and recovery customers and EdgeTech’s 4125 sidescan systems.

With threats from underwater mines and waterborne improvised explosive devices (IEDs) ever present, an international group of defence and civilian specialists in mine countermeasures has visited Saab Seaeye’s UK facility.

The group, that included the deputy director of the NATO Underwater Research Centre, saw a range of existing and newly developed underwater robotic vehicles used in searching for, disarming and neutralising mines and waterborne IEDs.

The robotic vehicles are designed to work remotely to reduce the risk towards mine disposal personnel at sea and in waterways.

“It was an opportunity for specialists in the field to share the company’s vision for mine countermeasures and the challenging aspects of maritime defence,” said Agneta Kammeby, head of Saab Underwater Systems.

The visitors saw the highly specialised technology needed for these vehicles to perform in difficult environmental conditions and strong sea currents.

The range of underwater vehicles on view included: the Sea Wasp, designed for disposal of underwater IEDs; MuMNS, a multi-shot mine neutralisation system; the AUV 62 MR, a mine reconnaissance AUV; SAROV, a mine-countermeasure AUV/ ROV; and the Leopard – the world’s most powerful compact electric work ROV. These systems have been created by combining technology from both Saab Seaeye’s commercial and defence underwater systems.

Seatronics, the UK-based specialist in the rental and sale of marine electronic equipment, has announced a collaboration with Canada-based manufacturer Inuktun Services. Inuktun specilises in remote-controlled robotic transport and delivery of multi-mission, modular technology used in hazardous environments and confined spaces.

Seatronics is working with Inuktun to supply the Inuktun ROV manipulator as a standardised option for the Seatronics Predator Elite ROV system. The Elite system was established and manufactured by Seatronics as a bomb squad capable improvised explosive device (IED) ROV specifically designed to operate within the military and defence industry.

Phil Middleton, group managing director, Seatronics, said: “Seatronics is excited to collaborate with Inuktun on the development of our Predator Elite ROV system. Colin and his team have been hugely supportive throughout our extensive testing, culminating in the recent successful trials in the US. Seatronics is working closely with Inuktun in developing opportunities to collaborate on future developments.”

Colin Dobell, president and CEO, Inuktun, added: “We are looking forward to working with Seatronics on new options for their ROV system. The Seatronics team has a great reputation in the industry and, as demonstrated with this latest development, they have the ability to solve problems that others cannot.”

Great Yarmouth, UK-based Forum Subsea Rentals (FSR) and Basingstoke, UK-based Aquatec Group have ann-ounced the signing of a global agreement for the rental of Aquatec’s LEAKlog leak detection and inspection suite.

The LEAKlog leak detection sensors are utilised for routine inspection and surveillance of a variety of subsea installations as well as for permanent leak monitoring applications. The suite incorporates a data acquisition system and interchangeable sensors. 

Nicki Nicholls, global business director at Forum Subsea Rentals, said: “This agreement gives FSR direct access to Aquatec’s technology-leading LEAKlog range of products and development team so we can offer not only the off-the-shelf packages, but also provide our customers bespoke instrumentation solutions. We look forward to be working closely with Aquatec, where the addition of this technology to our extensive range of rental assets gives our customers a cost-effective and reliable leak detecting option for completing their inspection campaigns.” 

Aquatec’s managing director, Andy Smerdon, said: “Aquatec has been designing and providing subsea leak detection systems for over 15 years, and Forum Subsea Rental’s team has considerable experience in mobilising and deploying these sensors. We welcome this opportunity to work closely with them to provide first-class service and informed technical support directly to the users of our instrumentation.”