Page 18: of Marine Technology Magazine (January 2015)

e e e e e l l l l l l l l b b b b b b b a a t t t t d d d d n n u u “Broadly speaking, we are seeing a maturing demand o o

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Counter Measures or Geophysical Survey which would tend to indicate market acceptance of the technology as the business norm and therefore translate into higher vehicle counts as mainstream players enter those markets.”

Rear Admiral Fred Byus, USN (Ret.), Battelle of AUV data for both survey and inspec- tion operations. Oil company speci? ca- tions are now requiring the use of AUVs for deepwater pipeline inspection – this was previously the preserve of ROVs.

The scienti? c research community has also bene? ted from these vehicles. Pre- cious and expensive vessel time can now be maximized for increased data gather- ing. Also, the ? rst AUV underwater dock- ing systems for Ocean Observatories are now a reality and allow for a sustained vehicle presence for many months.

Reynisson, Teledyne Gavia

The use of small, man portable AUVs in the Oil & Gas market has increased signi? cantly over the past ? ve years.

AUV technology and its applications an alternative to traditional methods the scienti? c ? eld is increasing in popu- have been accepted and proven, as nu- such as ROV and towed systems. larity. Hydrographic surveying, topogra- merous offshore survey companies con- Small, man portable systems in the de- phy and under ice surveying are all areas tinue to have success in varying mission fense industry continue to be on the rise. in which AUV use has increased in the types, such as pipeline inspections, plat- Use of AUVs for Mine Countermeasure last ? ve years. International partnerships form inspections, bathymetric surveys, missions, as well as Search and Rescue and collaborations for scienti? c study as well as search and rescue operations. operations, has been widely accepted as increases each year, giving more re-

Use of the AUV in the Oil & Gas sector the preferred method of operating in high searchers more access to AUVs, as well has expanded substantially. More and risk waters. AUVs are also becoming as hands-on experience. Deep water, as more applications have been tested and more common for surveillance purposes. well as under ice water and terrain, were implemented using the AUV, providing Use of small, man portable systems in previously inaccessible for researchers.

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