Business and Finance

Kongsberg to Supply Cameras for Deepwater Trenching and Mining

Kongsberg Maritime’s Aberdeen-based underwater camera group has received contracts to supply comprehensive underwater camera packages to four SMD trencher and mining vehicles for subsea service clients.

The first contract is for cameras and accessories for a new-generation high-powered deepwater trencher recently delivered and undergoing sea trials. The trencher is capable of operating in water depths of up to 3000 meters (9843 feet) jet trenching in soils of up to 100KPA and chain cutting of soils up to 250KPA. The Kongsberg Maritime camera package for this vehicle includes four OE14-366 color zoom cameras a OE13-124 BIT low light navigation camera a OE14-376 light ring camera and four OE10-102 serial-controlled electric pan and tilt units.

The second contract is for an extensive package of cameras and accessories to be installed on three SMD mining vehicles which are flexible subsea production tools to be used to mine copper and gold a mile below the surface.

Each mining vehicle will get camera sensors and accessories including two color OE14-366A color zoom cameras two OE13-124 BIT low light navigation cameras two mini fixed color OE14-110 cameras a OE14-122 PATZ (Pan and Tilt Zoom) dome camera and four OE10-102 serial controlled electric pan and tilt units.

Kongsberg Maritime Camera Group Sales Manager Bill Stuart said “Kongsberg Maritime underwater cameras and positioning devices are proven to withstand extreme conditions including low visibility and high vibration and shock levels which makes them ideal for use in harsh environment trenching and mining operations as well as for regular ROV operations.”

Kongsberg Maritime offers the only complete suite of in-house manufactured underwater cameras and accessories including standard-definition and high-definition color inspection cameras low-light monochrome navigation cameras sophisticated Pan and Tilt Zoom (PATZ) and Zoom Rotate and Tilt (ZRAT) dome cameras specialized digital stills cameras flashguns lamps and rugged electrical pan and tilt and rotator positioning units.

Since its launch less than three years ago SMD has purchased more than 100 OE10-102 underwater pan and tilt units in addition to more than 70 similar OE10-103 single axis rotator versions.

The OE14-366 has become established as the industry standard general purpose ROV inspection camera with more than 2000 units now sold. The OE13-124 navigation camera offers the best low light performance available and has proven itself as a worthy replacement for the world’s best-selling OE1324 SIT camera while the OE14-122 PATZ dome camera is the best-selling deep water dome camera on the market.