UK headquartered Seiche Environmental, one of the world’s leaders in underwater acoustic measurement, monitoring, mitigations, environmental compliance and governmental regulatory assistance, has announced three key appointments within the business.

Amanda Hyam, formerly Marine Wildlife Advisory and Ancillary Services Manager at GeoGuide Consultants Ltd, joins the business as Associate Director to enhance the team’s world-renowned expertise operating in the oil and gas, marine construction and engineering, offshore renewables, and marine science sectors.

Having worked for clients including Spectrum, seismic contractors such as Polarcus, SeaBird, CGG, and large oil companies including Shell, Kosmos, Statoil and ENI, Amanda brings vital expertise covering all aspects of Environmental Impact Assessment and planning.

Amanda’s past experience and studies enhances Seiche Environmental’s skills in providing clients with assistance and advice during all project phases, from pre-survey/construction through decommissioning stage, on matters including seismic surveying, rig operations, environmental science, and environmental monitoring. Amanda brings particular expertise in helping clients address mitigation requirements and procedures, managing stakeholder and NGO engagement, as well as liaison with government bodies around the globe responsible for offshore development.

Amanda joins Nicky Harris, who is being promoted to Associate Director within the business where she has played a key role in expanding Seiche Environmental’s services. Together with Michelle Roffe, recently promoted to Business Development Executive for Africa, Seiche Environmental is well positioned to deliver projects on a global basis.

Commenting on the three key appointments Mark Burnett, CEO of Seiche Water Technology Group, said: “Our highly experienced team brings together years of international practice, providing clients with the very latest advice on underwater acoustic measurement, monitoring and mitigations requirements as well as environmental compliance and governmental regulatory assistance. The addition of Amanda to the team and promotions for both Nicky and Michelle further enhance our international capability in managing offshore projects globally.

“Supported by our expert team of in-house PAM Operatives and Technicians, who are highly skilled at operating our diverse range of acoustic systems in all circumstances, we are perfectly positioned to deliver projects requiring everything from environmental baseline surveys, or marine mammal observation, risk and impact assessments, through to acoustic modelling and sound source verification services, as well as full full turnkey solutions and project management.”

UK headquartered Seiche Water Technology Group, one of the world’s leaders in the provision of monitoring and measurement solutions for the marine and utilities industries, has announced that COO Mark Burnett has been promoted to Chief Executive Officer. The announcement follows business owner Roy Wyatt’s move to Chairman of the Group, which has an £8 million turnover.

Spearheading the Group’s growth and expansion into new marine technology and environmental service solutions markets, Mark will be responsible for the strategic direction of the business, which provides Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM), marine environment and visual monitoring technology solutions to the oil and gas, renewables, marine construction, marine science, utilities, power and defence sectors.

Core to the future growth of the business, which has a presence in Houston USA and facilities in Cape Town South Africa, will be the expansion of Seiche’s range of full turnkey solutions. These encompass the delivery of field recording equipment, provision of in-field technicians, remote monitoring and operation of equipment, the development and delivery of specialised software, data analysis services and reporting, as well as project management.

Among Seiche Water Technology Group’s rapidly growing portfolio of solutions is its range of AutoNaut wave propelled Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs). These integrate with Seiche’s range of Passive Acoustic Monitoring devices and environmental measurement solutions, as well as third party technology. Acting as long endurance data collection hubs with built-in sensors to collect, communicate and relay data to clients worldwide, AutoNaut is seen by the business as one of its most exciting and diverse revenue streams.

AutoNaut expands Seiche’s suite of marine technology and environmental service solutions, which include digital and analogue hydrophones/arrays, connected and telemetry modular buoy systems, as well as thermal-imaging cameras. Used by operators of offshore assets such as seismic contractors, windfarm operators and defence organisations, Seiche’s products are hired or sold as stand-alone solutions, but can also form part of Seiche’s end-to-end turnkey solution service.

Commenting on his promotion to CEO, Mark said: “The development of innovative technology solutions to promote and protect the environment lies at the heart of everything that we do here at Seiche Water Technology Group. We have an incredible team who are constantly striving to deliver ground-breaking solutions for the next set of challenges ahead, enabling us to deliver cutting-edge technology to clients the world over. Combined with our turn-key offering, we enable businesses to undertake marine monitoring swiftly, cost-effectively and accurately.”

Mark added: “It is my privilege to take up the role of CEO and to continue to grow a resilient and meaningful business for our staff and our clients, while delivering value to our shareholders.”

Mark joined Seiche as UK Regional Director in November 2016, before being promoted to COO in March 2018. Previous to joining Seiche, Mark was Chief Executive Officer of WGP Group.

Mark commenced his career working offshore with Western Geophysical (now WesternGeco, a Schlumberger company) before taking up shore-based roles within GeoMarine and then Westland GeoProjects Ltd (WGP). The initial focus at WGP was the acquisition of niche and frontier marine geophysical surveys and establishing regional offices in Houston and Sakhalin, Russia whilst in the latter years he focused on the Permanent Reservoir Monitoring sector with BP, Equinor, ConocoPhillips and Shell as key champions.

Our Lorenzo Scala will be heading to the World Marine Mammal Conference in Barcelona taking place next week. He’s participating in the pre-conference PAMGuard workshop on Saturday 7th as well as assisting The Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST) at booth #210. Do stop by and say hello!

We were at Orbis Energy Limited this week giving in-house training on underwater acoustics and signal processing – many thanks to Nikhil Banda.

The Scottish Government is hosting the Underwater Sound Forum this week where Guillermo Jiménez Arranz is presenting our work with BP. Thanks Guillermo and Nicola Harris!

At the Marine Autonomy and Technology Showcase, Mark Burnett presented our Sound Characterisation work with BP – using a combination of drift buoy and autonomous surface vehicle technology to collect acoustic data in close proximity to an oil and gas asset.

Mark Burnett will be at the Marine Technology Society’s Oceans in Action conference (4-6 Nov) in Gulfport, Mississippi, where AutoNaut’s capabilities will be on display thanks to work with ANTX (Advanced Naval Technology Exercise). Read more here.

Boyan Slat and the team at The Ocean Cleanup share the fantastic news that the cleanup system is now capturing plastic.

We’re joining forces for our fourth KTP with University of Bath to develop our new generation Digital Thin Line Array (DTLA) for autonomous vehicles. Thank you to Innovate UK, Philippe Blondel, Alan Hunter and AutoNaut Ltd.

We’re looking forward to Africa Oil Week (4-8 November in Cape Town) where our very own Michelle Roffe, also the IAGC- International Association of Geophysical Contractors Africa Consultant, will serve as the Moderator for the Prospect Forum – the engine-room where oil companies, governments and geo-service providers present prospects, farm-outs and joint venture opportunities. The place to be!