Those were among the most common responses from many of the attendees at Underwater Intervention 2004 in New Orleans when seeing the SL-1000 computerized buoyancy control system developed by Blue Water Engineering. Contractors recognized that, by gaining better buoyancy control for underwater objects, the industry can plan new ways to perform diving and non-diving jobs. The immediate benefits will be safer conditions, quicker job performance, reduced surface support equipment, and increased profits.

The SL-1000 is designed to permit the diver to accurately control up to 1,000 pounds of underwater weight by using simple push-button input. The diver uses the buttons to select one of several operational modes, including Maintain Depth, Maintain Buoyancy, Go To Depth, Go To Buoyancy, and Ascend or Descend at constant rate. Each mode will automatically compensate for changes in load and depth where appropriate. By having the unit's computer control buoyancy, depth, or ascent rate, the diver is free to concentrate on more important tasks.

Potential applications span many segments of the underwater industry. Individuals involved with artifact recovery saw how the SL-1000 would save time by safely carrying objects to the surface while their divers or ROV continued recovery operations. Oil and gas pipeline operators recognized the ease of material handling during pipeline maintenance and repair. Ship husbandry operators saw the reduction in drydock time. As divers talked about having dynamic buoyancy control, they saw where its use would result in increased safety, efficiency, and profit.

ROV operators were especially interested in adding computerized buoyancy control to their vehicles and operations. While the SL-1000 was designed as a diver-operated tool, the patent pending technology and core hardware can easily be adapted to accommodate deeper depths, heavier lifts, and either surface control or as an ROV-controlled unit.

Reel In
Reel In, based in Houston, Texas, services all manufacturers' ROV main lift systems, including full fabrication capabilities of its exclusive line of Tomcat winching system components, as well as full fabrication of OEM and other custom systems, to customer's specifications. Reel In also offers facilities to deliver high-tension spooling of lift umbilicals, wire rope, and other cabling systems, allowing for full-length dive simulation and third-party verification of an umbilical prior to being placed into service.

Reel In provides a full range of services, from routine preventive maintenance to complete refurbishment of all winch system components, including diesel, pneumatic, and electro-hydraulic drives, as well as all structural and related subsystems. The company's 26,000-square-foot covered facility houses a full-length cable and umbilical spooling deck, as well as full hydraulic maintenance, electrical, and fabrication shops. The Reel In team has over 50 years of combined experience servicing all major manufacturers' systems, both in-facility and on-site.

The company fabricates systems from customer-supplied specifications, and even assists in the design of both standard and custom equipment applications. They manufacture the new Tomcat line of winching system components in-house, featuring their patent-pending Intelli-Winch technology, which maximizes system uptime by alerting the user to potential component failure before it occurs.

Reel In recently added a new service, functional testing of other load-bearing components, such as risers and other pipe and other structures.

For more, visit www.reelininc.com.

DWS International
DWS International's new product line of winches and deck systems is manufactured at the company's Corpus Christi, Texas, facility. According to Douglas W. Swain, President of DWS, "The new winch and handling systems incorporate our new, unparalleled I-Winch design, the result of our commitment to the continued research and development of the Marine Integrated Survey System (MISS) line of integrated survey solutions."

The new I-Winch equipment provides the operator with enhanced safety features and an advanced intelligent control display unit (CDU) that can be integrated into other survey systems.

The first winch delivery was to Scripps Institute of Oceanography, featuring a cantilever-style winch offering upgraded safety features and solid state sensors for level-wind control.

DWS's second delivery was an aluminum winch system for the University of Hawaii, offering additional safety improvements with the monitoring of temperature and hydraulic fluid pressure during operations.

A third winch was delivered to the National Marine Fisheries. This was the first of the I-Winch line offering further safety enhancements and allowing for a CDU with line speed, line payout, and optional line tension. The fully-integrated I-Winch system interfaces with many analog functions of the winch. The CDU displays data on a color touch screen mounted on the winch console. The primary function of the winch then becomes a node in a network which can be monitored from remote locations, either by wired or wireless methods. The I-Deck provides the survey team with easy access to deck systems, towing information which is interfaced with the primary survey navigation system to provide higher productivity and safety.

DWS winch options include I-Winch display and information systems, electrical explosion-proofing, remote control (wired or wireless), soft start motor controller, self-contained generator system, transport system, and hydraulic power packs.

The company also offers seismic deck and handling systems, storage reels and portable stands, custom deck layouts, field service and installation, support for Sea Mac Marine Products Winch Systems, and refurbishment and lease services.

DWS is part of the of the SolidWorks Manufacturing Network which provides value added design support to the winch line by incorporating SolidWorks 2004 3D Modeling into all new designs.

Imes Water Weights
Members of the Imes Group, Imes LMS and Water Weights have over 25 years of oil and gas industry experience, specializing in monitoring, measurement, and load applications.

Water Weights, originators of the water bag, provide specialized proof load testing equipment for structures and lifting gear. Water bags are ideal for use in the offshore oil and gas environment - easy to transport, handle, and fill, as well as economical and safe. Water Weights bags are certified in accordance with the American Bureau of Shipping and also the UK Health and Safety Executive.

Water Weights can be used to test cranes, davits, pad eyes, and BOPs. The company has developed an international network of Water Weights businesses and approved operators to ensure client requirements are met regardless of location.

Within North and South America, Water Weights exclusively provides JW Automarine's line of enclosed parachute-type underwater salvage lifting bags. The bags are robust, easy to deploy, and flexible.

Imes LMS was established in 2002, combining the skills and experience of teams based in the US, UK, and the Netherlands. This new team has developed a portfolio of tried and tested products and services for offshore operators and suppliers.

Load and force measurement: In harsh offshore environments, accurate measurement of load, strain, and force is vital. Imes LMS delivers standard and custom designs, including subsea loadcells and tension measurement of tethers, anchor, winch and mooring lines. The company also provides strain measurement in structures including solid risers.

Riser inhaul monitoring: During installation it's difficult to know the exact location and state of this critical equipment. Imes LMS helps mitigate risk by monitoring and tracking equipment and determining its integrity.

Subsea electrical diagnostic pods:
The company has developed test instrumentation that identifies electrical faults in power and control umbilicals at source.

Under balanced drilling monitoring: Imes LMS' system measures real-time load and angle acting on the BOP. The resultant forces are resolved, displayed and logged on a PC.

For more information, visit www.imesinc.com.

Brooke Ocean Technology
Brooke Ocean Technology (BOT) supplies handling systems for towed bodies, autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), unmanned surface vehicles (USV), and other payloads. These systems typically incorporate a capture mechanism to control the motion of the payload as it is transferred between the sea and the vessel.

Handling systems can be supplied utilizing a crane, A-frame, or J-frame. Where feasible, these systems can be integrated on to the base of an ISO container, offering ease of transport and mobilization.

For AUVs and other payloads which require the attachment of lifting and towing lines, BOT has also developed patented remote latching technology which allows a tow line and lifting cables to be attached to a payload without the requirement of putting a person or boat in the water to attach the lines.

BOT has developed a number of crane-based systems for large and small payloads, including Hardsuit diving suits, CTDs, instrument packages, and submarine rescue stores. Permanent installations have utilized existing ship cranes, modified with special end effectors and hardware to handle the payload.

BOT has supplied skid-mounted systems that allow easy transport and quick mobilization. Systems include the handling crane, end effector and capture mechanism, lifting/towing winch, hydraulic power unit, control station and payload storage cradle, integrated on the ISO-sized skid. For complete autonomy, the HPU can be powered by a diesel engine, which also provides the system electrical power.

One unique J-frame system recently delivered by Brooke Ocean incorporates a compliant target zone that the vehicle is drawn into after the towline is attached with remote latching methods. Lifting straps are located by the target zone and provide a compliant means of lifting the vehicle into the capture mechanism. A two-stage J-frame, able to articulate through 135 degrees, positions the vehicle and capture mechanism inboard and outboard. This system is able to accommodate cylindrical AUVs that are 21 inches in diameter, up to 2000 pounds, and up to 20 feet long. The capture mechanism can be removed from the J-frame and replaced with other devices for handling other types of payloads, such as an overboarding sheave for use in CTD work or mooring handling.

Crane-based systems have been used to launch and recover towbodies and act as a towing boom during operation. The system incorporates a folding marine crane, end effector and capture mechanism, towing/hoisting winch, hydraulic power unit, towbody storage cradle and enclosed lab space, integrated onto a 20-foot ISO base.

BOT has already developed various elements leading to automated handling systems, and future systems will incorporate various levels of automation. The proven line attachment methods can be automated, and combined with existing robotic technology, will allow handling operations with fewer personnel.

Hydra Marine
Hydra Marine is one of the leading manufacturers and suppliers of marine and diving equipment to Southern and West Africa. The company's product and service range includes the design and manufacture of air, mixed-gas, and saturation diving equipment, marine winches, certified man-rider winches, launch and recovery systems (LARS), and other specialized subsea equipment.

Hydra Marine personnel have substantial marine engineering experience, giving the company an edge in obtaining contracts involving the design, production, supply, and maintenance of specialized subsea handling equipment.

The company recently delivered its third LR 50-A2 mini launch and recovery system to Smit International. This unit is possibly the smallest and most cost-effective diver launch and recovery system available, helping solve the eternal contractor's problem of where to fit all the equipment on the working vessel or platform. The system can easily be inserted in a standard 20-foot dry freight container and shipped around the world.

Due to the continued growth and demand for good quality man rider winches, Hydra Marine embarked on a one-year project in 2001 to design a cost-effective man rider winch that could be used in its range of diver launch and recovery systems. Final testing was completed in late 2002 and they where successfully launched on the company's latest range of LARS. Hydra Marine reports that demand has been high, but they try to keep three or four winches in stock at all times.

The team's ability to come up with well-engineered solutions to client problems have given them a solid reputation in the offshore marketplace. Hydra Marine also offers a full wetbell system (with or without control room), chambers, and diving support packages.

Coastal Marine Equipment
Coastal Marine Equipment, based in Stennis Space Center, MS, offers a complete line of marine deck machinery, engineering, and design, as well as general fabrication, machining, testing, installation, maintenance and repair services.

Two hydraulic mooring winches were recently supplied to Gulf Marine Repair (Tampa, FL) for installation on the DBL 105 for K-Sea Transportation (Staten Island, NY).

Coastal Marine also supplied six two-speed electric mooring winches to Penn Maritime (Staten Island, NY) for installation on three of their barges. Penn Maritime also took delivery of a vertical above-deck 18-inch hydraulic capstan, for installation on their barge Everglades. A single drum hydraulic anchor winch for two-inch diameter wire rope is currently being built for their barge Hatteras.

In addition to these retrofit projects, Coastal Marine is building deck and handling equipment for new construction projects by Sause Brothers Ocean Towing and Penn Maritime.

Sonardyne's Heavy Lift Transponder
Developed to meet the needs of the offshore construction survey market, Sonardyne International's Heavy Load Compatt 5 transponder combines the features of an advanced navigation transponder with the heavy lift capabilities of an acoustic release transponder.

The new transponder introduces valuable cost savings by allowing a structure or load to be precisely tracked using a long baseline (LBL) or ultra-short baseline (USBL) navigation system. Then, once in position, the load can be released on command from a vessel or ROV. This eliminates the need for a separate acoustic release transponder and back deck command unit, which not only saves money, but also dramatically simplifies subsea operations themselves.

With a breaking load of 10 tons and depth rating up to 23,000 feet (7,000m), the new Heavy Load Compatt 5 is suitable for a wide range of offshore applications, from cable repair and maintenance to pipeline and manifold installation. The transponder works in the medium frequency band and is therefore compatible with most of the acoustic navigation systems currently in use around the world. UW