Macduff Ship Design Delivers Tugs and Innovates for the Future

Macduff Ship Design has been at the forefront of innovation, collaborating with companies such as Harland and Wolff, Kongsberg, and Echandia to develop a groundbreaking concept for a 25.5-metre, 65 T bollard pull ASD battery electric harbour tug. The goal is to meet the demands of harbour tug operations in the UK through full electric propulsion, supplemented by two HVO-driven generators for more unusual and longer operations. The aim is to create a green solution for the sector, potentially leading to a working demonstrator and a marketable product for Harland and Wolff in the shipping industry.

Beyond this ambitious project, Macduff Ship Design aims to extend this concept to smaller and larger tugboats and various other vessel types, revolutionising the maritime landscape.

Cutting-edge ecoCAM Camera Enhances ecoSUBm5-Power+ AUV Systems

In a significant advancement for autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), the ecoSUB team presents the ecoCAM, a state-of-the-art 4k video and still image camera seamlessly integrated into the ecoSUBm5-Power+ AUV system. The camera offers high-quality imagery and is ideal for machine learning applications. It features a 1.1" Sony IMX267 global shutter CMOS sensor and a Computar fixed 8mm lens, delivering impressive image reproduction (8.85 MPix at 33.0 fps). The ecoCAM employs Subsea USBC data transfer, ensuring efficient data transmission for video encoding on a Jetson Orin Nano computer, a significant technological feat in the underwater domain.

The ecoCAM camera module is gaining international recognition, with users in the United States and Germany utilising it for diverse machine vision applications. The powerful Nvidia Jetson backseat computer facilitates edge computing capabilities. For instance, the camera feed is assisting in navigating the AUV into a docking station, showcasing its adaptability.

The ecoCAM camera module is a compact unit rated for depths of up to 2,500 meters, perfectly suited for ecoSUBm-series AUV platforms. It resides within a custom nose cone, offering flexible orientation from forward-looking to downward-looking angles for seabed imaging. Optional subsea lighting packages accommodate low-light conditions.

Expanding AUV Potential

Integrated with the ecoSUBm5-Power+ AUV platform, the ecoCAM complements side scan sonar, Doppler Velocity Log (DVL), and acoustic modems, extending AUV capabilities for diverse underwater applications.

The introduction of the ecoCAM camera module marks a significant advancement in underwater technology, offering superior imaging capabilities and limitless potential for machine learning applications. Its integration with ecoSUBm5-Power+ AUV systems underscores the commitment to innovation and excellence in underwater exploration.

Collaborative Integration Enhances Dredging Operations

OceanWise and Foreshore Technology have formed a strategic alliance to incorporate real-time tide level data into the 'Dredge Master System,' offering dredging operators the advantage of working in sync with current water levels, thereby enhancing efficiency.

M Owczarzak, Master UKD Marlin at UK Dredging, underlines the significance of this integration in dredging operations. He notes, "The integration of the Dredge Master system with OceanWise is highly beneficial during dredging operations. The tide gauge provides real-time and accurate tide level data, allowing me to dredge and navigate based on current water levels. This ensures efficient dredging operations by optimising dredge depth. All necessary information is displayed in one place, enhancing dredging accuracy, minimising environmental impact, and improving overall operational effectiveness, while remaining extremely user-friendly."

The collaboration between OceanWise and Foreshore Technology streamlines the amalgamation of the Dredge Master System with the environmental data platform Port-Log, streamlining the convergence of essential data into a reliable real-time repository.

The Dredge Master System

The Dredge Master System, extensively employed in the UK for maintenance dredging in most ports, delivers an intuitive interface for operators to monitor their dredging equipment and the surrounding environment in real-time.

James Neary, Software Director at Foreshore Technology, highlights the significance of accurate and timely tide data in dredging operations. "Our clients depend on accurate and timely tide data for their dredging operations. Integrating with OceanWise's Port-Log system has enabled us to provide features that not only display current tide levels but also dynamically indicate safe passage areas based on the vessel's draft."

The Port-Log Platform

Port-Log, developed by OceanWise Ltd., serves as a versatile storage and publishing solution for environmental data, catering to global users. It offers cloud-based subscriptions and seamless integration into other third-party systems and platforms, such as the Dredge Master System. Adaptable and reliable, Port-Log accommodates diverse applications and environments.