GRL sells simulator to CTC Marine Projects

GRL has supplied a ROVolution simulator to North East-based CTC Marine Projects a subsea contractor specialising in the trenching of subsea pipelines and cables worldwide. The simulator will be used for general ROV pilot training and in practising trenching plough deployment.

CTC are using ROVolution as a general ROV pilot training tool to train pilots across all their ROVs and associated equipment. In one scenario GRL has customised ROVolution to use CTC's WR1 work class ROV to observe the deployment of the AMP500 trenching plough, used for cutting trenches and laying pipes. In this case, once the plough is deployed to the seabed, the ROV pilot has to set up key components before performing a complete plough inspection to ensure it is ready and safe to start operations. The instructor can also choose to activate a hydraulic leak to simulate plausible real world problems.

"CTC has made full use of the simulator in the training of all new entrants to the offshore training school. This has enabled the trainees to achieve a basic level of piloting competence and knowledge in preparation for their continued development offshore," said David Martin, Training and Development Manager, CTC Marine Projects.

A major benefit of the simulator is providing a safe environment as close to the real thing as possible. With sonar and instruments, the ROVolution reacts the same way as a real ROV across a range of scenarios. When trainees finish on the simulator and go offshore it's not an unsettling change as the operational and training environments are so similar.

About General Robotics Limited

Founded in 1988, GRL is the world leader in developing customised, subsea simulation solutions. GRL has established a reputation for delivering high quality, innovative simulation tools for:
• Visualisation, planning and inspection for the off-shore oil industry
• Real-time subsea cable, riser and anchor modelling
• Control of robotic manipulators for inspection, cleaning and welding
• Training/planning simulators for ROVs and submarine rescue vehicles.

Central to this success is the exceptional quality of GRL's engineers many of whom have been with the company since it began. www.generalrobotics.co.uk

About CTC Marine Projects

CTC Marine Projects is a leading marine trenching and installation contractor, operating in the subsea oil and gas, telecommunications, military and utilities sectors of the offshore construction industry. Established for more than 10 years, the company owns and operates the largest, most comprehensive and technically advanced fleet of trenching equipment in the world, providing a key component of the international subsea construction market. Its head office is in Darlington, UK and its major markets are in the North Sea and Asia. CTC Marine Projects is wholly owned by Trico Marine Services Inc.

Trico Marine is an integrated provider of subsea and marine support vessels and services. Trico Marine recently increased its subsea market presence through its acquisition of DeepOcean, a recognized market leader in the provision of high quality subsea services including, IMR, survey and construction support, subsea intervention and decommissioning, marine trenching and the laying and burying of subsea cable. DeepOcean controls a well equipped fleet of 14 vessels and operates a fleet of modern ROVs and trenching equipment. Trico Marine also continues to provide a broad range of marine support services to the oil and gas industry through use of its diversified fleet of vessels including the transportation of drilling materials, supplies and crews to drilling rigs and other offshore facilities; towing drilling rigs and equipment, and support for the construction, installation, repair and maintenance of offshore facilities. Trico Marine is headquartered in Houston, Texas and has a global presence with operations in the North Sea, West Africa, Mexico, Brazil and Southeast Asia as well as the Gulf of Mexico.
www.ctcmarine.com www.tricomarine.com