Page 35: of Marine Technology Magazine (January 2013)

ography - Numerical Ocean Models.In 2013, Advanced Subsea will raise capital via an IPO to boost develop- ment of its deepwater activities, par- ticularly its positioning & survey ser- vices, operational and IMR services in Brazil, West Africa and the Gulf of Mexico. In order to increase efÞ ciency in their subsea operations, one of Ad- vanced SubseaÕs partners, Marseille- based Cybernetix, is also developing a hybrid AUV/ROV aiming at providing full IMR services (Inspection Mainte-nance and Repair) on the basis of the very innovative solution, Swimmer AUV/ROV designed to provide deep- water inspection and intervention ser- vices. The Swimmer AUV transports a specially adapted Work class ROV to the deepwater location and connects it- self to a special subsea power hub that is energized from a surface vessel such as an FPSO, even a large multipurpose vessel can be its support vessel as the electronic connection to the subsea power hub is done through a power and control umbilical. Once hooked up the ROV can be deployed to do its own work controlled from the surface vessel, between ROV interventions, the host AUV can conduct its inspections and sensory monitoring of offshore structures, such as ß owlines, riser and pipelines. An operational Swimmer system will make it possible for on- sight Þ eld development engineers to easily plan future ROV operations in- terventions and avoid the costs of a per- manently stationed support vessel and heavy deepwater ROV umbilicals. The Swimmer is a resident subsea system capable of staying up to three months submerged, even in deep waters. It is also important to note that not only subsea service providers but also more and more foreign subsea equip-ment manufacturers also appear to be negotiating partnership with Brazil- ian companies or even opening their own subsidiary company in Brazil, as the supply logistics from vital subsea equipment is one of the main concerns regarding equipment supply for the pre-salt.Drawing of Cybernetix?s Swimmer ROV. (Photo credit: Cybernetix) www.seadiscovery.com Marine Technology Reporter 35MTR #1 (34-49).indd 35MTR #1 (34-49).indd 351/30/2013 12:03:06 PM1/30/2013 12:03:06 PM