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data in water depths of over 1200 m; it was reportedly the Þ rst time an AUV has been used in a major UK deepwater project. According to the company, the AUV tile camera was proven effective for collecting images suitable for environ- mental habitat assessments, and has already been used in the largest deep water development projects in West Africa, Bra- zil, and the Mediterranean.ÒWe have two main types of business,Ó said Eric Robertson, Commercial Manager, Fugro Survey. ÒThe Þ rst is geophysi- cal and environmental surveys, such as Rosebank, which are vessel-based. The second is specialist survey positioning and construction support services both within the Fugro group and to third party construction companies or operators. This type of activity is extremely complex. We must offer real ac- curacy and reliability to succeed but with Fugro StarÞ x we can offer high precision differential GPS for decimetric ac- curacy and highly specialist acoustic underwater positioning and advanced software solutions.Ó Together this means, for example, the company may have Þ ve of its own vessels working on projects but its personnel and equipment could also be working on more than 40 ad- ditional rigs, barges, and ships at the same time. Investing in Technology ÒIn terms of business philosophy, we see investment as be- ing the engine of growth,Ó said Robertson. ÒInvestment not just in technology but also in people, training and systems. As an example of that we would point out to the many ves- Above: Echo Surveyor IV, a Kongsberg HUGIN AUV, ready for launch. Left: AUV multibeam data from Mediterranean showing mud volcano in 800m. (Photo Credit: Fugro Survey Ltd. )www.seadiscovery.com MTR #1 (34-49).indd 37MTR #1 (34-49).indd 371/30/2013 2:50:16 PM1/30/2013 2:50:16 PM