Page 52: of Marine Technology Magazine (March 2022)

Tech File

Innovative new products, technologies and concepts

GeoAcoustics

Embraces its independence at

Oi 2022

Images courtesy GeoAcoustics Ltd.

According to Richard Dowdeswell, General Manager of

GeoAcoustics Ltd., a new era is underway for the British bathymetric sonar, side scan sonar and sub bottom pro? ler specialist that ? rst opened for business 44 years ago.

ast time GeoAcoustics prod- and acoustic telemetry systems. Its ? rst “Despite a challenging 2020 there’s ucts were represented at an taste of corporate ownership came when real positivity in the market and with

Oceanology International ORE Ltd. was acquired by Ferranti In- the team, in part from the practical

L event, the UK-based un- dustrial Electronics in 1983, becoming and sustainable improvements we have derwater technology manufacturer was part of the Offshore Industries Group made to the working environment, but owned by Kongsberg Maritime and its and renamed Ferranti ORE Ltd. In 1991 also due to the potential we have to products were marketed as part of the it returned to private ownership and con- grow and secure a long-term future as

Norwegian ? rm’s Subsea Sensors & tinued to build a position as a Side Scan GeoAcoustics Ltd.,” said Dowdeswell,

Robotics Division. Following its divest- Sonar technology under the name, Geo- adding that, “like everyone, we were in ment in December 2020 however, Geo- Acoustics Ltd. Fast forward to 2008 and pandemic mode last year, but we were

Acoustics is once again an independent GeoAcoustics was purchased by Kongs- lucky enough to get a chance to take this company, with freedom to steer develop- berg Maritime AS; its products joining positivity on the road with us to Ocean ments across its technology portfolio and perhaps the largest underwater technol- Business in Southampton, where we had act on the individual needs of customers. ogy portfolio in the world. a strong ? rst showing of GeoAcoustics “It’s been four years since we were at an Now back an independent company Ltd as it is today.”

Oceanology International so we’re look- once again, and sporting the name ? rst So, Oi 2022 will not be the debut in- ing forward to getting back to the ExCeL established in the nineties, GeoAcoustics dustry event for GeoAcoustics as an in- and meeting up with our customers and is in the midst of a transformative pro- dependent company. Its size and poten- industry colleagues, especially as we are cess. Signi? cant investment in its Great tial for international visitors – though turning the page on a new chapter in the Yarmouth, UK, Headquarters and pro- clearly not as many are as expected as

GeoAcoustics story,” said Dowdeswell, duction facilities have set the scene for in normal years – position Oi 2022 as a the former head of Kongsberg Geo- a more sustainable and agile approach to platform for Dowdeswell and his team to

Acoustics and now co-owner and Gen- business. Going carbon neutral is on the showcase GeoAcoustics’ capabilities as a eral Manager of GeoAcoustics. cards, but primarily, the extensive build- global player in the underwater technol-

Founded in 1978 as ORE Ltd. (Off- ing renovations and key appointments ogy market. “We were focused on the shore Research Equipment), the com- made in 2020 re? ect a new vision and application of our technologies at Ocean pany started out leasing advanced subsea vitality for a specialist technology com- Business, with on water demonstrations technology such as side scan sonar, sub- pany in business long enough to have al- in collaboration with Unmanned Survey th bottom pro? lers, SBL/LBL positioning ready had a 40 birthday party. Solutions using the Inception MK II 52 March/April 2022

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