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So far Michael has created 4 blog entries.

The Future of Underwater Intervention and Mapping

By Jules E. BenBenek PhD INTRODUCTION: Offshore marine industries, including both commercial and research disciplines, have received many advances in marine equipment technologies from the world's navies. The military, making significant strides in all areas of intervention, inspection and surveys, have provided a steady stream of advances to the non-military arena from the earliest days of marine exploration to the present day scene. Technologies such as Side Scan Sonar, ROV, AUV and Manned Submersibles can all be traced back to naval development roots. The most recent contribution, and perhaps the most significant in recent years is the Autonomous Submarine. Submarines started their practical development over 100 years ago. In that time they have provided naval organizations with practical and safe means to conduct submerged operations while being independent of surface support. Utilizing nuclear or diesel engines, submarines have been responsible for cable, pipeline and other submerged structure inspections, hydrographic surveys, marine research, new system testing, in addition to their reputed security and offensive capabilities. Manned Submersibles represent a diluted form of the autonomous submarine technology. During the 1980s, Manned Submersible use weaned, giving way to emerging ROV technologies. Although the two share similar support ship needs and sea state [...]

The Future of Underwater Intervention and MappingMichael2017-10-30T16:08:56+00:00

Private Autonomous Submarines – Broadening the Offshore Industries Horizons

Mention "submarines" and most will think of the large nuclear vessels, capable of extended submerged voyages throughout the earth's oceans or, by total contrast, the smaller, restricted-capability vessels of the tourist variety that barely dip below the sea's surface to give non-scientific passengers a glimpse of what lies beneath the waves. The more informed will also consider the term to include manned submersibles, the best known of which is probably the Alvin, operated by WHOI and capable of descent to great depths. There was also "Trieste" the famous bathyscaphe of Auguste Picard and the numerous manned submersibles employed in intervention tasks alongside divers in the early days of North Sea oil production. Their descendants are the one-atmosphere suits used for intervention tasks in relatively shallow working environments. Somewhere in between these extremes is another type of vehicle that can offer an alternative yet proven technology for many of the tasks that currently use ROVs and their expensive DP support vessels. Enter the high-tech, non-nuclear submarines of the type operated by the U.S. based company, Kokes Marine Technologies, LLC. Their two vessels, the US Corsair and US Constellation are based on the previous success of the RS Series Design, in operation [...]

Private Autonomous Submarines – Broadening the Offshore Industries HorizonsMichael2017-02-17T16:26:38+00:00

Technological Evolution

When it comes to working submerged offshore, I have to be considered one of the most fortunate. During my twenty-year career as a U.S. Navy Submariner I had the enviable opportunity to be in a command or senior support position with the US Navy's submarine Research & Development communities. These positions allowed me to be personally involved with cutting-edge technologies and equipment. On many occasions, technologies developed for strict military use have migrated to the civilian sector. INS technologies and AIP systems are just two examples. The most promising naval technology to become available for commercial applications, is the use of diesel powered manned submarines. The last diesel powered submarine operated by the US Navy was the USS Dolphin (AGSS 555), a deep diving research vessel, in which I served as OOD, Diving Officer and Chief of the Watch for many years. That vessel, as well as the NR-1 (Nuclear Research Submarine) the Navy's other research submarine, before retirement, performed applications such as submerged structure inspections, seabed mapping, hydrographic and geologic studies, as well as search and coordination. The offshore industry until now has had to rely on ROVs to do the same tasks that these submarines perform. Ironically it [...]

Technological EvolutionMichael2017-02-17T16:26:38+00:00

Contractor Operated Submarines for ASW On-Demand Target Services

Statement prepared by the Honorable Richard L. Rumpf, former Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy. Introduction An opportunity has recently been identified to engage the services of one or two privately owned diesel/electric submarines for various US Navy purposes and at a very reasonable cost. The first of these submarines, operated by Kokes Marine Technologies, LLC and manned by former-US Navy submarine crewmen, has recently been brought to CONUS and is projected to begin operations sometime later this year for various clients. This boat, as well as the second unit, could be available in the near term for US Navy services such as "ASW On Demand Training"; serving as a "Rabbit" for "Sub on Sub" training; providing a small submarine target for Virginia Class FOT&E; providing a RDT&E platform to develop the technologies required for the LDUUV & XLUUV programs and dramatically reduce development costs, schedule time and risks associated with these programs. Background Upon the demise of the Soviet Union, the United States became the operator of the largest fleet of nuclear powered submarines in the world. With the exception of a few allies, most countries that operate submarines have predominately diesel/electric fleets. The United States Navy [...]

Contractor Operated Submarines for ASW On-Demand Target ServicesMichael2017-03-23T02:16:59+00:00