Two companies from Americas partner on AUV for wind and wave survey and maintenance, subsea security (Video)

U.S.-based subsea data collection and delivery provider Tiburon Subsea and Canadian Ocean Floor Geophysics (OFG) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to tackle challenges in wave and wind energy surveys and maintenance, and subsea security, among other things.

In 2024, Tiburon Subsea introduced its patented vectored thrust control system, JETTE, targeting defense markets and autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) manufacturers. In 2025, the company said it plans to launch its advanced commercial AUV, equipped with JETTE technology, to enhance hydrodynamic efficiency, operational redundancy, and payload capacity.

As part of this project, Tiburon Subsea said it would integrate OFG’s self-compensating magnetometer, Hypermag, iCP, and HyperEMF systems. These technologies will enable non-contact cathodic protection inspection, AC/DC cable EMF and depth of burial surveys, and unexploded ordnance (UXO) detection.

According to the company, ideal uses for the Tiburon fleet include site exploration, oceanographic research, biodiversity management, defense, hydrographic survey, methane leak detection, export and inter-array cable inspection, wind and wave renewable energy survey and maintenance, subsea security, and coastal health monitoring.

“Our respective companies share a goal and vision of creating new subsea survey and inspection capabilities for our clients. We believe that advancing dynamic underwater technologies will propel us into a new era in marine robotics,” said Tim Taylor, Founder and CEO of Tiburon Subsea.

“Consider how satellite networks are the backbone hardware of the earth’s science data network; autonomous vehicles are quickly becoming the same backbone needed to open data acquisition on a planet which is 70% water. Renewable energy, climate change remediation, marine fishery protection, weather monitoring, and coastal engineering will all benefit from access to this technology.” 

The Tiburon fleet’s design allows for full-dimensional operation, enabling the AUVs to hover, scan, stabilize, and traverse challenging underwater environments. 

OFG CEO Matthew Kowalczyk added: “I have worked with Tim Taylor on many subsea projects throughout the years and his latest tech innovation will allow us to deploy our systems on a platform with unique capabilities to provide comprehensive data to our clients and the underwater marine community. OFG and Tiburon Subsea share a belief that the future of the ocean economy is digital, autonomous, and resident. That future requires quality data.”

In October 2024, Tiburon Subsea joined fellow U.S. marine energy company C-Power’s partner engagement and co-development (PEC) program to handle subsea data collection for the upcoming SeaRAY ocean energy system demonstration.