North Sea Systems has completed EMEC trials of their CableFish survey system for touchdown monitoring and cable route survey.
According to North Sea Systems, CableFish will offer a survey capability that enables cable laying operations to be extended in tides up to 6 knots in strength – currents in which it is difficult to operate ROVs.
The system consists of a sensor platform that houses cameras, lights, an altimeter, a USBL beacon and a motion sensor. The platform rides down the cable to provide real-time touch-down monitoring and a full record of the installation, this includes visual imaging, positional data and an indication of the cable tension and strumming.
During four days of tests from Leask Marine’s C-Odyssey Vessel, the system’s operation in a tidal environment has been proven and high-quality survey data has been recorded of cable laying operations in up to 40m water depths.
These records have included video footage of the cable lay at the touchdown point and cable coordinates being captured on to the vessel’s survey spread.