MacArtney Norge has a long standing relationship with ROV manufacturer SAAB Seaeye Limited - and the two companies have worked together on numerous projects related to the production, maintenance and sale of the versatile Sea Owl 500 observation class ROV system. Now MacArtney and SAAB Seaeye have developed an upgraded XTi version which, while staying within the realm of the original and proven Sea Owl 500 design, features significant upgrades of all system facets.

  The largest indoor test facility ever before dedicated to the development of unmanned underwater vehicles has been opened by Saab Seaeye.

 ROVOP is preparing to add two new ROV's to it's operation.  The company has spent GBP4 Million ($6 Million) on a second Schilling Work Class HD ROV and an additional SAAB Seaeye Cougar XT.

  Subsea Americas has added to its rental rov tooling fleet recently a WebTool RCV 155 cable cutter capable of cutting cable wire over six inches in diameter.  The tool was modified to be operated via 17H API hot stab whereas simplifying its subsea use via ROV. 

 With numerous UK and overseas sales already secured, the new OceanTools C-Switch is off to a very successful start.

 Leading subsea engineering company OceanTools have released a range of electric pan & tilt units suitable for a wide variety of underwater applications and budgets.

  Abu Dhabi-based, CCC (Underwater Engineering), reports significant savings in operational costs since deploying their new Saab Seaeye Panther XT Plus ROV in the shallow waters of the upper Persian Gulf.

 Forum Energy Technologies, Inc., is pleased to announce the signing of a contract with Cummings Consulting, Inc. (Cummings). Under the contract, FET will supply two complete Sub-AtlanticTM Mojave Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) systems. Both of the Mojave ROVs will be equipped with job specific tooling systems such as; electric winches, touch screen control monitors, Sub-can Control Systems, sonar, color and monochrome cameras. Also included are two three function manipulators and VisualSoft™ data capture capabilities.

 This month has seen the successful delivery of SMD’s first QTrencher 1000 ROV to Reef Subsea Power and Umbilical (RSPU).

The QTrencher 1000 has been specifically developed for cable and pipeline burial to 2000m water depth. The ROV provides a compact high powered trenching capability for the burial of cables, umbilicals and 500mm diameter pipes up to 2-3 metres deep. The use of variable high pressure jetting optimises the trenching operation to suit a range of sea-bed conditions varying from soft to hard. The unit was delivered complete with a dedicated high sea-state launch and recovery system.

2012 has seen SMD evolve the Q-series range of Work Class ROVs with extensive type testing carried out at the UK’s National Diving Centre at Stoney Cove, Leicester.  The latest systems are configured to ensure SMD’s WROVs meet the demands and expectations of customers well into the future. Testing has successfully been carried out on the Atom which has been delivered to Bibby Remote Intervention and the first new Quantum (code named MkIII) recently delivered to Hallin. 

 Egypt’s National Institute of Oceanology and Fisheries (NIOF) has chosen a Tiger ROV from Saab Seaeye as their preferred vehicle to undertake a range of studies in the Mediterranean.

The NIOF chose the Tiger over other makes of ROV as it can handle the strong currents of the Mediterranean and dive to 1000 metres.

 For the first time, a full pipeline survey spread has been fitted to a ROV in the shape of the Panther XT Plus.

The technological breakthrough will bring considerable savings in survey operating costs to operators when compared to deploying a 150hp hydraulic work-class vehicle for the task.

 Using a remotely operated underwater vehicle with an installed saw, researchers have acquired geological samples from the Jan Mayen Ridge this summer.

 VideoRay got the call for assistance.  Brian Hunsicker from the Marklesburg, Pennsylvania Fire Rescue squad had heard of the VideoRay Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) through nearby tech firm KCF Technologies, manufacturer of the VideoRay ROV Smart Tether positioning system.  Their agency, along with the Pennsylvania State Police and numerous dive rescue squads from the area, had exhausted their search efforts over the last two days trying to locate a 16 year old who had disappeared the previous Saturday on Raystown Lake in central Pennsylvania.  16 year old Clay Bishop had jumped off a 27 foot cliff at the lakes edge, and had not resurfaced.  Water at the site ranged from a few feet to over 100 feet deep. Authorities were immediately notified and began searching with divers, but the extensive search was not successful.