Published by The Maritime Executive

Published by The Maritime Executive

Published by The Maritime Executive

Published by The Maritime Executive

Published Jun 23, 2022 3:02 PM by Gemini News

NTNU researchers from AMOS, the Centre for Autonomous Marine Operations and Systems, used small satellites and subsea robots — and everything in between — to study marine life in Svalbard’s Kongsfjorden in a first-ever experiment in May.

The researchers and students used a small satellite, an unmanned aerial vehicle, two unmanned boats and subsea robots to survey the same area simultaneously. This is an approach called an observational pyramid.

A graphic showing the observational pyramid, in which the same area is monitored at different levels at the same time. Illustration: Department of Engineering Cybernetics, NTNU

The Arctic is both an interesting and important area from which to observe climate change. At this latitude, temperature and ecosystem changes are evident sooner and clearer than in more temperate areas. For Professor Geir Johnsen, one of the critical questions to ask — and answer — is what is happening to phytoplankton, which form the base of the food web.

“Are they growing? Are they in good shape? Are they dying? Are they in rave party mode?” he wants to know.

The approach the researchers have used, the observational pyramid,  can be used to survey normal and harmful algal blooms and the kinds of changes global warming is causing in the ocean in a more continuous way.

“This concept can be developed and streamlined, especially when it comes to faster data interpretation. We have worked with biologists to customize this approach, according to what they need, but it can be used for other purposes as well,” says Asgeir J. Sørensen, a professor of marine cybernetics and Director of NTNU AMOS.

One driver for this development is the long collaboration with Equinor to develop methods and technologies to monitor the offshore oil and gas environment, as well as offshore renewable energy systems.

Sørensen pointed out that the aquaculture industry can also benefit from more effective and automated ways of monitoring and surveying fish welfare conditions, and the environment near the fish pens.

This technology can also be used to learn more about freshwater systems in Norway, such as the national efforts to monitor the environmental health of Mjøsa Lake, Norway’s largest.

Imagine an automated coast guard beneath the ocean surface that monitors ocean health and traffic in the ocean space. That’s essentially what this approach offers, the researchers say.

Hyperspectral maps and aerial drones combined with unmanned surface vehicles and subsea drones can be used at the same time to collect more data over a shorter time frame.

“This will give us more knowledge and a better understanding of what is going on in the ocean,” Sørensen says. “This could lead to new industries, value creation and new workplaces in Norway in the near future."

The first test of the observational pyramid was done in close collaboration between the University of Tromsø and UNIS –the University Centre in Svalbard and several departments at NTNU. This research is also part of the Nansen Legacy project. 

The opinions expressed herein are the author's and not necessarily those of The Maritime Executive.

Published Jun 25, 2022 12:51 AM by The Maritime Executive

South Korean company SeAH Wind is set to invest $367 million to build the world’s largest offshore wind turbine base factory in Teesside Freeport in the United Kingdom, reflecting the UK's ambitious plans for renewable power. The company is a subsidiary of South Korean steel manufacturing giant SeAH Steel Holdings. It has received the plans approval for the factory, which is designed to accommodate the production of new extra-large monopiles and will become SeAH Wind’s first plant of this kind outside South Korea....

Published Jun 25, 2022 12:43 AM by The Maritime Executive

The commercial fishing industry in the U.S. is calling for more federal funding for studies on the impact of offshore wind development on marine fisheries.  In an open letter, the Responsible Offshore Development Alliance and Seafood Harvesters of America contend that the $46 million that the administration is asking Congress to allocate in the 2023 financial year to the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to conduct surveys and research activities related to offshore wind is too low, given the rapid pace of...

Published Jun 24, 2022 9:33 PM by The Maritime Executive

The giant floating restaurant that graced Hong Kong's waterfront for decades has capsized during a tow in the South China Sea, and it may or may not have sunk to the seabed.  Jumbo Floating Restaurant, an iconic multi-story dining establishment built upon a barge, was one of Aberdeen Harbor’s most prominent landmarks for five decades. Over the years it served more than 30 million guests, including Queen Elizabeth II, Tom Cruise, Chow Yun-fat and Gong Li. It has starred in many...

Published Jun 24, 2022 7:24 PM by The Maritime Executive

Following on a new initiative announced by the White House and 11 states’ governors to accelerate the development of the offshore wind power sector, MARAD is prioritizing the Title XI financing program for vessels in the offshore wind power sector. The Department of Transportation designated offshore wind vessels as “Vessels of National Interest” to accelerate their review and financing under the existing financial support program. MARAD said in announcing the designation that will facilitate more offshore wind construction and will...

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