Seaeye Marine

Seaeye Marine was set up as a partnership in late 1986 by Ian and Janet Blamire. Ian is an electrical engineer by profession with many years’ experience of operations as a manned vehicle pilot and ROV systems.

Seaeye 600DT

The basis on which the company was founded was for the design and manufacture of an ROV system with a 600ft depth rating and power enough to operate across the tidal flows of the southern North Sea. At that time the current choice for what were euphemistically termed ‘inspection vehicles’ were incapable of sustained video work throughout the tidal range of this area. The only other viable but expensive option was to hire a work class vehicle in order to work the tides. Most work therefore, was completed with smaller vehicles working the periods just before, during and just after slack water.

In order to obtain the (then magical) criteria of providing an ROV that could make useful headway in such tidal flows (whilst towing its umbilical), powerful thruster units, providing a good power/weight ratio, with as small a surface area as possible in order to minimise drag were required. The real question was, where does one obtain the power density to fulfil these criteria.

Seaeye chose the route of the brushless DC motor, then only in its embryonic form. Very little was known about its control. Those who did know were not too keen to share their hard gained knowledge. Thus, engineering such a control system was littered with unknowns. (‘I can’t remember how many drive transistors I blew apart on the learning curve of engineering our brushless control system’ quotes Ian Blamire.) Once up and running, it did not take long to engineer the reliability into the thruster and increase its thrust. However, disappointment, frustration and barrels of midnight oil were the order of the day in those formative years and failure was not a contemplated option!! Despite the early setbacks, the decision to carry on with this new area of technology paid dividends. A small, powerful and reliable thruster was achieved.

Seaeye Surveyor Plus

The new thruster was soon ‘married’ to a streamlined inspection vehicle capable of carrying two TV cameras and other minor ancillaries such as a CP probe and single function manipulator.

The new vehicle was named SEAEYE 600 and was unique in that its chassis was fabricated from polypropylene, yet another ‘first’ for Seaeye. The 600 soon proved itself offshore as an extremely versatile vehicle, capable of operating in the environment for which it was originally intended. By 1989, 17 Seaeye 600 systems were in operation in the UK, Middle East, Turkey, Far East and West Africa.

In 1990 Seaeye Marine won the coveted TRIAD award for innovative electrical engineering. The award provided a great morale boost for Ian Blamire and his design team for their hard work and perseverance in engineering a 1200 Watt brushless DC motor into a package measuring only 80mmOD by 125mmL and providing 25Kg of thrust !!

The SEAEYE 600 was light and easily transportable, ideal for helicopter transfers between the beach, rigs and platforms. The 600 became universally known as the ‘SEAEYE’, which it is still to this day. 600Ős (in the form of the SEAEYE 600DT) are still selling well. A testimony to its versatility and high regard it has earned throughout the offshore oil and gas industry.

Careful investment in staff and equipment ensured the steady progress of the company. By 1989 the company had 14 employees and was selling 600s almost faster than it could produce them. Larger premises were sought and Ken Cast was recruited as the Sales and Marketing Director for the company. Ken is also an experienced manned vehicle and ROV pilot and has experience in ROV design and sales. His vital contribution towards sales and production organisation allowed the engineering staff to concentrate on perfecting existing products and creating new designs. In 1990 the company was incorporated and also saw the launch of the BOXER and SURVEYOR range of vehicles. This included SEAEYE’s new 16 bit digital telemetry system and larger vehicles for both inspection and survey, a new market for Seaeye Marine Ltd.

Business progressed with vehicle sales increasing year on year. Seaeye was making significant inroads into worldwide ROV markets. Their main market remained with small, powerful and versatile systems. This particular area of ROVs was fast becoming Seaeye’s niche and they were determined to claim its share of this relatively new and valuable market. This can only be described as an unmitigated success. Seaeye has maintained a policy of listening and learning in order to keep its range of vehicles on the leading edge of technology and providing ROV systems which are successful because of those policies. ‘The mix is right’ says Ian Blamire, ‘rugged, powerful ROV systems manufactured with virtually indestructible modern materials at a reasonable price with many of the so-called ‘options’ fitted as standard. We value our customers, listen to what they want and we positively undertake to supply their needs.’

By 1995 the company had expanded to thirty employees and had literally run out of space in its current factory. A decision was made to purchase its own premises and the hunt begun. A site was found in a particularly pleasant area only a few miles away and subsequently purchased. Seaeye House is a 10,000 sq ft+ self-contained facility in the older part of Fareham, adjacent to the boatyard with views over the yard itself, the upper reaches of Portsmouth harbour and the western end of the south downs. It is noticeable that visitors certainly enjoy their stay at Seaeye House and its pleasant environment.

Seaeye recently unveiled their TIGER ROV system, a powerful performer with 600m or 1000m capability. The SEAEYE PANTHER followed shortly after. PANTHER is a 1250m rated work class vehicle. Both have been successful from the outset with units sold almost as soon as they were off of the drawing board. Business continues to grow and Seaeye are confident of their future in this industry. The company is still young, celebrating only its tenth year in 1996. Seaeye are proud of the fact that many of its staff have been with them from its earlier years. They have a very high regard for them and appreciate their experience, which they consider vital for their clients and themselves.

Seaeye also pride themselves on their ability to fully support their clients in the field, worldwide. ‘It’s a reputation we worked hard for and rightly enjoy’ says Ken Cast; ‘however, we are also very aware of just how quickly this can be reversed and we have no intention of allowing our high standards to fall’.

SEAEYE systems are quite often specified by offshore oil operators; and their tasks include video inspection, integrated platform inspection, full pipeline and seabed survey plus light and medium construction work.

SEAEYE vehicles are owned by many major operators, including Esso Australia, Canadian Occidental, Subsea Offshore, Rovtech, Oceaneering, Algosaibi, Noordhoek Energie, DSND Oceantech, GB Diving, Idrotec, Fugro-UDI, Global Diving, Contract Diving Services, International Naval Works, Nautilus Sermares, Qatar Subsea Services, Mediterranean Survey Services, Eriksson Diving and Racal-Decca Surveys.

Seaeye produce a range of six vehicles rated from 300m to 1250m, Tether Management Systems, TV cameras, propulsion systems, pan & tilt units, lights and other ancillaries for ROV systems.

The company enjoys a thoroughly enviable international reputation and track record for their vehicle systems which are in operation in Europe, the USA, the Middle East, South-east Asia, South America, Antarctica and Africa.

Ian Blamire confidently predicts, ‘Seaeye is suitably placed to continue its forward momentum into the new century with its latest range of products. Careful investment in personnel and controlled management of the company will ensure the opportunity to continue supplying high quality products to industry.’

The main contact personnel within Seaeye Marine Ltd are as follows:-

Ian Blamire: Managing Director.

Kenneth Cast: Sales Director.

David Eggers MBE: General Manager.

Tel: +44 (0)1329 289000

Fax: +44 (0)1329 289001

Website: www.seaeyemarine.com

e-Mail : sales.seaeyemarine@seaeyemarine.com

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