Coastal Monitoring of Water Quality using AutoNaut Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV)

AutoNaut has just completed a short trial off the south-west coast of England to monitor the water quality by a sewage outfall.

AutoNaut demonstrated its ability to reliably operate in shallow waters whilst also recording and transmitting data. A suite of sensors aboard the USV worked in conjunction with satellite data from synthetic aperture radar (SAR).

Analysis indicated that the seawater close to the outflow was not negatively affected. The combination of technologies is pioneering for the application and the trial highlights the potential of this innovative approach to conduct long-term marine monitoring – including the reduction of costs and risks relative to conventional methods. Read the full article here.

Seiche Launching Environmental Services Offering

Seiche is pleased to announce the launch of Seiche Environmental, a new operating company to offer offshore environmental services. Building on Seiche’s global reputation for providing market-leading technology for offshore measurement, modelling and mitigation, Seiche Environmental will provide quality and effective end-to-end solutions for all stages of project lifecycles.

The new Environmental team is gearing up with the recent hiring of two well-respected industry figures in Nicola Harris and Michelle Roffe. Roy Wyatt, Seiche Group MD, comments: “It’s great to have Nicola and Michelle on board. They will complement and build on our work with our valuable worldwide partners, including the long-standing agreement we have with RPS Group for equipment provision in North and South America.”

Nicola Harris joins the Seiche Group straight from Gardline Environmental Services where she spent the past 11 years managing and executing the full portfolio of services for the offshore oil and gas, renewables, marine engineering and construction and marine science sectors.

Nicola has conducted, secured, managed or overseen around 500 marine mammal mitigation projects ranging from multi-vessel seismic in the UK through to Impact Assessments in New Zealand and introducing new technology approved by US BOEM for site characterisation surveys for Offshore Wind Farms in the US. Nicola is proficient in developing mitigation procedures and consulting with regulatory bodies including UK JNCC, UK Natural England, US BOEM, Ireland National Parks and Wildlife Services and New Zealand Department of Conservation.

Nicola said of her recent employment: “I am excited to be working with Seiche’s innovative technology which continually raises the efficiency and standards of mitigating and monitoring of our marine environment and using these to provide a full suite of effective environmental services to our clients worldwide.”

Michelle Roffe joins the Seiche Group from GeoGuide Consultants where she set up, managed and grew the Africa office. In addition to building close relationships with oil and gas companies operating in and around Sub-Saharan Africa, project managing environmental consultants and providing environmental compliance advice and support, Michelle focused on developing effective relationships with onshore stakeholders, environmental fisheries and government organisations in Africa as well as assisting clients to provide local content.

Michelle has been working in the marine conservation sector for over 16 years and the seismic sector for over 8 years, covering offshore seismic projects throughout the world. She has worked as both a lead Marine Mammal Observer and as a Passive Acoustic Operator.

Michelle adds: “I look forward to my new challenge with Seiche Environmental and working with the highly experienced team to further develop the Seiche Group that already provides world-leading technology. I am fortunate to be joining such a respected company that prides itself on top quality service.”

Seiche would like to highlight the agreement that exists with RPS for work in North and South America which has been in effect since December 2010. Under the terms of the agreement, RPS is the sole distributor for rental of Seiche’s Passive Acoustic Monitoring equipment in North and South America.

Seiche Environmental is the most recent addition to the Seiche Water Technology Group (SWTG). SWTG provides monitoring and measurement solutions for the marine and utilities industries in the UK and across the world. Comprising Seiche Measurements, Seiche Training, AutoNaut (Unmanned Surface Vessels), Ashridge Engineering and now Seiche Environmental, the group has unparalleled access to R&D, design, manufacturing, deployment, installation, training and support.

Seiche Environmental service provision:

  • MMO/MFO/PSO
  • PAM Operators
  • PAM equipment
  • FLOs
  • Environmental Scientists/reps
  • Marine Mammal risk and impact assessments
  • Noise Modelling
  • Noise Monitoring
  • Baseline surveys

For more information please contact environmental@seiche.com

Oceanoise 2017

In Barcelona for Oceanoise 2017, Guillermo Jiménez Arranz presented two of our JIP reviews in the Pile-Driving + Impulsive Sounds and Seismic Arrays sessions.

Oceanoise 2017

Seiche Ltd took part in Barcelona for Oceanoise 2017. Guillermo Jiménez Arranz presented two of our JIP reviews covering Pile-Driving & Impulsive Sounds, and Seismic Arrays.

Second Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with Seiche Ltd ‘Outstanding’

The University of Bath’s second KTP with Seiche Ltd has been awarded a Certificate of Excellence, with the highest grade of ‘Outstanding’, by Innovate UK.

Over three years of Research and Development, this partnership has developed a methodology for predicting sound propagation in complex underwater environments. For example, near the shores or in polar environments. This can be implemented in marine seismic surveys and pile driving.

Combining measurements of how loud some sounds are, with evidence-based modelling of how loud it can be at other places and times, enables effective and evidence-based mitigation zones; resulting in a safer environment for marine mammals.

The KTP, which ran from 2014-17, builds on a previous partnership with Seiche Ltd, who provide a range of solutions for passive acoustic monitoring.

The first KTP with Seiche Ltd, from 2012-14, was also awarded ‘Outstanding’. Led by Dr Adrian Evans, Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, and Roy Wyatt, Managing Director of Seiche Ltd, the team started with developing a real time vision system, enhancing monitoring capabilities of marine mammals.

Roy Wyatt, Industrial Lead for both ‘Outstanding’ KTPs, says: “Congratulations to the Seiche and Bath teams for once again proving that the KTP programme brings together the best of academia and industry. They are furthering engineering innovation that can be immediately applied to provide real solutions to clients across the world.”

Dr Philippe Blondel, Department of Physics, was academic lead for the most recent ‘Outstanding’ KTP. He says: “Research is about discovering new things, and applying them to the real world. Rather than a quest for more academic papers, it should be firmly in tune with our society and its needs.

“Working with Seiche is a real pleasure, because of our common outlooks at making the oceans better and safer environments. We are extremely pleased that our results are evaluated as “Outstanding”, and this shows the great impact Physics can have on the world.”

KTP Associate, Guillermo Jimenez, is now employed by Seiche Ltd as an Acoustic Engineer. He says: “The KTP programme has greatly exceeded my expectations. The amount of resources available and the engagement of all those involved in the project really made the difference. This has been a great opportunity to progress in my career, and I would fully recommend it.”

KTPs are funded by Innovate UK to enhance knowledge and skills, strengthening competitiveness and our economy.

Graham Fisher, Industrial Partnerships Manager in Research and Innovation Services (RIS), says: “This is an excellent example where RIS has again assisted leading academics in working with a visionary company, through a funded project. This has achieved tangible knowledge transfer and contributed to increasing their Research Impact.”

Tech Track 100 Awards

tech-track-100-awardsRoy and Simon were at at the recent Tech Track 100 Awards ceremony.

Seiche was placed as Number 1 manufacturer in the South West and Number 2 in the UK as a whole. As well as the achievement of ranking in the top 100 fastest-growing companies in the UK, we were also nominated in the Social Innovation award category – but narrowly missed out!