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NEWS ARCHIVE

• ITER Sells AC-ROV To Leduce (12/05)
• DDC Sells AC-CESS AC-ROV to KeySpan Energy (11/05)
• ITER Sells  AC-ROV TO French Ministry Of Defence (11/05)
• Comrade AC-ROV Goes To Russia (10/05)
• OSIRIS Joins AC-ROV Operators Network (09/05)
• Ever Expanding AC-CESS – 3 More Distributors Sign For the AC-ROV (08/05)
• Multiple AC-CESS Sales At Seawork 2005 (07/05)
• DIVEX & MarineVision Sign Up With AC-CESS (06/05)
• AC-CESS Grows Its AC-ROV Operators Network (04/05)
• Homeland Security Armed with the “Search Warrant TM.” Against Potential Threats (03/05)

]ITER SELLS AC-CESS AC-ROV TO LEDUC

 12/05

 AC-CESS and ITER have the pleasure of announcing the successful sale of an AC-ROV underwater micro ROV system to French based company Leduc. 

The sale was initiated and completed at this month’s marathon 10 day Paris Nautical Exhibition (02-12 December).  Mr David Maillotte of ITER had a very busy time at the show with great attention being given to his star performer – the AC-ROV.  Pointing to AC-CESS’s insistence on ‘wet’ exhibitions for the AC-ROV (yes that’s 10 consecutive exhibition days in the water), Mr Maillotte was weary but very satisfied by the AC-ROV’s performance and the show in general.

Mr Etienne Brenckmann of Leduc – a market leading bridge and pier construction and inspection company - was highly impressed by the AC-ROV’s long list of unique selling points.  The AC-ROV system is the only hand carry, single hand and single man controlled mini ROV system on the market.  The smallest (190mm pipe fly through), most mobile (6 thrusters, 5 degrees of movement) and most robust (cube shape and modular build) mini ROV in the world. 

Mr Brenckmann explained Leduc’s requirement as a “drive to reduce diver associated costs across the company.  The AC-ROV will be specifically used on a two year bridge building contract in Yemen for dive mapping and planning, health and safety and for work inspection”.

AC-CESS – Engineering With Pedigree

www.iter-company.com

DDC Sells AC-CESS AC-ROV to KeySpan Energy

11/05

 Deep Development Corp (Canada & U.S.) and KeySpan Energy (Canada & U.S.) have agreed the purchase of an AC-CESS AC-ROV micro submersible including two function manipulator and rear view camera options.   

Facilitated by Mr Ken Bower of DDC, the purchase of the AC-ROV Search Warrant as it is known in the States and Canada was an easy choice for Mr William Trainor of KeySpan.  Wishing to reduce diver costs and downtime, Mr Trainor was very impressed by the build quality, system size, price and high mobility of the AC-ROV

“It didn’t take us (KeySpan) long to make up our minds to purchase the submersible, after a study of the available vehicles on the market, it was by far the most suitable for our needs.  Its size and mobility mean it can get us inspection footage of areas our divers cannot safely reach, at an overall greatly reduced cost.

We intend to use the Search Warrant ROV for the inspection of water intake canals at our power plants including pilings, dams, sheet piles, pumps and screen wash racks. Inside the plants we will use it to inspect piping systems that are always full of water.  With the grabber arm we will now be able to retrieve foreign objects from these systems.  Also if the need arises we can use the ROV to inspect underwater electric cables and gas mains.”

KeySpan Energy is the fifth largest distributor of natural gas in the United States and the largest in the Northeast region of the country.  Operating regulated gas utilities in New York, Massachusetts and New Hampshire they serve 2.6 million customers. KeySpan is also the largest electric generator in New York State – Mr Trainor is predicting a busy life for the Search Warrant.

AC-CESS – Engineering With Pedigree

 www.deepdevelopmentcorp.com

ITER SELLS AC-CESS AC-ROV TO FRENCH MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

 11/05

AC-CESS’s continued penetration into international defence markets has seen the sale of the first AC-ROV to the French Ministry of the Defence.  Facilitated by their French distributor, Mr David Maillotte of ITER, AC-CESS are very confident that where one AC-ROV goes others will follow.

With a tough demo schedule agreed before hand and the knowledge that other micro ROV manufacturers had given demonstrations and quotes, the AC-ROV surpassed all stated target performance requirements:

After the extremely successful demonstration of the AC-ROV at the historic Breast Naval Base, representatives for the French ministry of defence immediately expressed their desire to purchase an AC-ROV plus options.  When asked about the system the ROV savvy group were greatly impressed by the size and portable nature of the system and it amazing mobility and handling – especially the ease of control and power of the lateral sideways movement.  The representatives from the French Navy have asked for another AC-ROV demo to take place at the Toulon Naval Base in 2006   

The Ministry representatives and various French Navy personnel did express shock at one incident that occurred during the demo.  After removing the AC-ROV from the water so some late arrivals could inspect the unit, Mr Callum Magee of AC-CESS re-deployed the ROV by literally ‘throwing’ the unit over the side and back into the water by its tether.  In response to the shocked exclamations at such treatment, Mr Magee simply explained the vehicle was an AC-CESS built ROV.

AC-CESS – Engineering With Pedigree

 www.iter-company.com

COMRADE AC-ROV GOES TO RUSSIA

 10/05

The continuing success of AC-CESS and the AC-ROV has been proven again with the signing of a distribution agreement with Moscow based company Underwater Technique LLP.  Founded by Mr Mikhail Vortman in 2002, Underwater Technique specialise in ROV’s, underwater equipment and laser optics.

Mr Vortman has extensive knowledge of the oceanology and marine industries, with over 25 years experience gained as the Chief Engineer of the Technical Department of the Institute of Oceanology of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IORAS), where he still holds the position of leading technical consultant.  From 1992 Mikhail worked as technical advisor to Hydrovision in Moscow and since forming Underwater Technique has secured the Russian distributorship for companies including Tritech International, Technadyne (USA) and JW Fisher (USA).

With an extensive network in the Russian Federation, Mikhail expects the AC-ROV to be a big hit in Russia “having heard the reports about the AC-ROV and its design benefits, I was very impressed to find they are true – it is in only one case, the level of movement is amazing and it is as robust as a brick”.  Mr Callum Magee of AC-CESS can’t wait to get the brick into the Russian marketplace “Mikhail and his team at Underwater Technique have a vast combined knowledge and know-how base – their enthusiasm and appreciation of the AC-ROV made our decision easy”.

Underwater Technique will be demonstrating the AC-ROV at the “Modern Methods and Technologies in Oceanologic Research - 2005" international conference to be held at the IORAS from 22nd – 25th November – www.ocean.ru

AC-CESS - Engineering With Pedigree

Underwater Technique – www.uwt.ru

OSIRIS JOINS AC-CESS AC-ROV OPERATORS NETWORK

09/05

In response to the initial success of its AC-ROV approved operator’s network (04/05), AC-CESS has widened this service with the signing of Osiris Underwater Engineering Services of Lancashire, England.    

An AC-CESS fully supported service; the operator’s network offers the client a quick response, experienced, mobile and versatile inspection capability that utilises fully supported cutting edge ROV technology.

What’s required? – A telephone call.

What’s the cost?  – A fraction of diver operations, minimal time scale, minimal site disruption.

What’s the benefit? – Market leading AC-ROV enables never before close in mobile ‘capture' of target image – 190mm pipe fly through and AC-ROV complete freedom movement gives unparalleled access to confined environments.

Osiris Marine Services was established in October 1996 by Mr Aiden West.  Locating their offices centrally in the UK their aim was and is to provide the maximum service coverage for their clients.

The company is broadly split into three operational areas - Inspection, General Construction and Specialist - using dynamic teams to best-fit skills to tasks. To ensure that quality and safety levels are maintained at all times Osiris is independently audited - ISO 9002 was achieved at the first attempt in August 2000.  In the first five years the company saw rapid year-on-year growth in both client base and project numbers. Key clients include:

• Councils
• Construction Companies
• Consulting Engineers
• Government Agencies
• Port Authorities
• Utilities

Achieving the aim of establishing Osiris as a quality service provider has led to many long-term client relationships and the achievement of a number of preferred supplier status contracts.  In this vain, AC-CESS was very keen to enter into an operating partnership with Aiden and Osiris, with the company now being the approved AC-ROV operator for the North of England and nominally the UK.

For cutting edge micro ROV inspection technology and services please see:

AC-CESS – Engineering With Pedigree

                                                        www.osirismarineservices.com

Ever Expanding AC-CESS – 3 More Distributors Sign For the AC-ROV

08/05 

The ever increasing demand for the AC-CESS AC-ROV mini inspection ROV has led to the signing of 3 more distributors across the globe.  The signing of agreements with companies based in Australia, India and France represents global coverage in under a year for the next generation inspection tool.

A) ROV Downunder – Australia - rov.downunder@coomerawaters.net.au

Formed by Mr Bill Bulloch this year, Bill recently emigrated from Scotland to Australia.  An electronic engineer by trade, Bill was looking to expand on his 15 years of ROV experience in the North Sea and other world ROV locations and was immediately impressed by the design and performance level of the AC-ROV.  Having worked with Triton, Super Scorpio, Trojan, U.F.O., Scarab, Slingsby and multiple other work class ROV system’s in various environments, applications and global locations, Bill is a real expert in such matters – hence his desire to take on the AC-ROV.  Stating the benefits of vectored thrusters as opposed to dedicated thrusters (as employed by micro ROV systems) as one of the many reasons for his enthusiasm Bill recons that the size, mobility and transportability of the AC-ROV will push the boundaries of micro ROV operations far beyond that of current applications.

From the outset, AC-CESS were (more than) impressed by Bills technical expertise, operational understanding and global network.

B) ITER – France - www.iter-company.com

Founded in 2004 by Mr David Maillotte, Iter has two main business focuses; commercial support to the French Navy and petroleum industry and support of the aeronautics and I.T. industries.

Highly experienced with marine equipment and diving operations David graduated from the French Naval Academy in 1992, from where he went onto specialise in mine warfare, diving and EOD.

1992: Graduated from French Naval Academy

1994: Specialized in Mine warfare, diving and EOD

1998: Party chief in the seismic petrol industry

2001: Intl sales manager in the defence industry

2004: Shareholding and creation of ITER

With an extensive naval and diving network at his disposal, David predicts a strong demand for the AC-ROV: “the way the AC-ROV moves in the water it is amazing – the level of mobility 4 horizontal thrusters gives you is unequalled”.  With 4 years as a mine warfare specialist, David appreciates the need for true mobility in hazardous environments: “the fact the AC-ROV moves with the same level of power and speed laterally sideways and in reverse as it does forwards is inspection heaven, with the responsiveness of the rotate and tilt functions it gives the operator the best inspection capability of any micro ROV I have seen.David and the AC-ROV will be present at the up coming Paris Nautical Show in December.

Salon Nautique Paris 02/12/05 – 12/12/05 - www.salonnautiqueparis.com

C) Henna Marine – India - www.hennamarine.com

Founded in 1996 and ISO 9001:2000 rated, engineering contractors Henna Marine provide their customers with high level service in the areas of engineering procurement  and construction services for offshore inspection, maintenance and repair, vessel operation and management and marine consultancy.  A member of the International Association of Drilling Contractors, Henna run a dedicated dive team and a fleet of ROV’s from there two main operating locations of Mumbai – India and Dubai – U.A.E.  With extensive experience of oilfield and diving operations in these regions, Henna is a supplier of various offshore, safety and diving equipment. 

Recognising the potential of the AC-ROV system for diver and inspection operations, a trip to the AC-CESS site in Aberdeen was a must for Director of operations Mr NPP Kumar.  As with so many, Mr Kumar was immediately impressed with the level of design and performance displayed by the AC-ROV, relating them to current diver operations being carried out by Henna: “The dam inspection and maintenance work we do would benefit so much from this unit.  Safety and efficiency would be increased, as would the level of inspection – this ROV will get a camera on things that are out of limits to other ROV’s and technologies.

AC-CESS – Engineering With Pedigree

Multiple AC-CESS Sales At Seawork 2005

 07/05

AC-CESS Co UK Ltd, the designers and manufacturer of the AC-ROV (next generation underwater mini ROV), achieved multiple sales at Seawork 2005 exhibition in Southampton.  With one order for multiple units and another for a single unit already confirmed, the company are busy processing the numerous leads and enquires generated by the AC-ROV and its breakthrough design.

Reaping the benefit of being the only mini ROV manufacturer that does “WET” exhibitions, the AC-ROV wowed visitors and exhibitors alike for the 3 day Southampton show.  Having the product confidence to allow ROV novices to pilot the unit in their demo tank over the 3 days, was commented as giving the company the busiest stand in the “Dive Work” section of the exhibition.  Enabling potential buyers to gain first hand experience of the AC-ROV’s complete freedom of movement and ease of operation stimulated unmatched interest at a show that was well represented by other mini ROV’s.  A couple of minutes had the single case system transported and set up at the purpose built dive tank (provided by Searchwise Aberdeen), this allowed a couple of extremely interested clients to get a more representative impression of the AC-ROV, gaining first hand experience of how easy the single handed control system and complete freedom of movement facilitates top quality inspection in confined environments.

Users were further wowed when shown the single large briefcase size “storm” case which the entire AC-ROV system is transported in.  Being the only mini ROV system on the market that comes in one case was seen as a major plus by many at the exhibition, with clients hitting on the fact that the system is the only true one man operated system in the mini ROV market.

AC-CESS would like to thank all stand visitors for the very encouraging feedback given to this next generation underwater inspection system, fellow exhibitors for their generous comments about the high level design evidenced by the system and the organisers for their efforts in providing such a targeted showcase for the AC-ROV’s unmatched capabilities.

 AC-CESS – Engineering With Pedigree

DIVEX & MarineVision Sign Up With AC-CESS

 06/05

It is with great pleasure that AC-CESS Co Uk Ltd, manufacturer of the next generation micro inspection ROV the AC-ROV announces the signing of two more distribution agreements with internationally known and respected companies.

DIVEX-Oceanics, the South African wholly owned subsidiary of world leaders DIVEX were extremely willing to take on the AC-ROV, demonstrating it at the recently passed South African Hydrographical Societies annual exhibition to great interest and comment with regards to performance and system size.  This is no surprise as DIVEX - who are considered world leaders in the supply and manufacture of diving and subsea equipment for commercial, professional and military divers – are well positioned to recognise breakthrough equipment that offers features and benefits beyond that of other comparable systems. 

Mr Jose Henriques of DIVEX-Oceanics South Africa was convinced from the outset that there was a large market for a system such as the AC-ROV, stating “the performance of the unit lives up to the manufacturers claims, it has performed very well at the Societies exhibition, attracting a lot of attention from the various attendees at the ‘over the pier’ demonstration site”.  With a very healthy amount of enquires generated from the show, Mr Henriques speculates a strong demand for the system in South Africa and across the rest of the global DIVEX network.

MarineVision SL of Spain was established in 1990 by Robert Borjeson as a continuation of a family tradition going back to 1955 with the Swedish based company Undervattensfoto (Underwater Photo) founded by Mr Borjeson’s father.   Involved in the ROV sector since the 1970’s, Mr Borjeson has extensive experience of the industry with MarineVision distributor for some very well known larger ROV manufacturers.  MarineVision supplies a variety of underwater technologies and related equipment from some of the best known manufacturers in the business. 

Recognising the design advancements inherent in the AC-ROV, Mr Borjeson feels that the system compliments his existing ROV range, a ROV pilot for many years he is happy to explain “the AC-ROV represents the completion of our ROV range; we can now offer a micro ROV that has the performance capabilities to get the job done in truly confined environments”. 

Back at AC-CESS all concerned are very happy with the signings of the two companies, Mr Callum Magee (Business Development Manager) is in buoyant mood explaining “when two companies such as these, who really know the ins and outs of ROV usage take on a newly developed system from a newly formed company it tells you something about the technology and the company”.  Mr Magee (as is usual in these ‘signing’ situations) points to AC-CESS’s rigorous distributor qualification process and the features and benefits demonstrated by the AC-ROV in the addition of DIVEX and MarineVision to the AC-CESS distribution network.

AC-CESS – Engineering With Pedigree

www.divex.co.uk

www.marinevision.com

AC-CESS GROWS ITS AC-ROV OPERATORS NETWORK

04/05

Never a company to let time of operation get in the way of progressive thinking and meeting industry requirements, AC-CESS Co UK Ltd the company that brought the revolutionary micro inspection ROV the AC-ROV to the marketplace has the great pleasure of unveiling its new inspection service to the UK market.  With the finalisation of full operating and support agreements with two newly formed, but highly experienced underwater inspection companies, AC-CESS has taken a great step in giving companies with a submersed inspection need what they need:

A quick response, experienced, mobile and versatile inspection capability that utilises fully supported cutting edge ROV technology.

What’s required? – a telephone call.

What’s the cost? – a fraction of diver operations, minimal time scale, minimal site disruption.

What’s the benefit? – market leading AC-ROV enables never before close in mobile                                                ‘capture' of target image – 190mm pipe fly through and AC-ROV                                complete freedom movement gives unparalleled access to confined                                  environments.

Stuart McCall & Navigation Engineering Services Ltd

Stuart comes from a background as a system design and support engineer in the hydrographic inshore and offshore survey industry, involved in oil and gas and Civil engineering. He has a wealth of experience gathered over a period of 28 years in the needs, wants and requirements of these industries.

Working in the North Sea and other locations around the world including China, North America, Australia and Singapore has honed his understanding of the problems and solutions involved in operating in difficult environments and situations.

Having a mostly “hands on” approach he has built a knowledge of the mechanical/electrical methods of dealing with the design and operation of many problem solving components and systems needed to provide easy solutions in harsh environments.

With all his experience telling him that the AC-CESS AC-ROV is the ideal underwater micro inspection vehicle, Stuart purchased the AC-ROV with the sole aim of forming a business providing a mobile, fast and low cost method to inspect underwater structures and targets. Targeting a growth in the requirement for a quick response, man with system underwater inspection service, he has position the business as a Aberdeen based, UK wide inspection service consisting of a van, operator/driver, ROV and recording devices such as a “black box” VCR a client record/copy VCR and /or a DVD recorder.  Stuart is available at short notice to travel to the job site and complete the task.

Naming the company “Navigation Engineering Services Ltd”, he will operate this service along with other remote systems currently in development, such as a semi autonomous remote controlled surface hydrographic survey vessel, 4 foot/1200mm long and easily portable with one person operation. This system will quickly calculate the volume of lakes and inshore water ways and provide a “picture” or shape of the bed of the water way. Very suitable for a fast pre and post dredge survey of harbours and estuaries, it is seen that these systems will be used together to provide a “complete” service in surveying and inspecting water areas.

JON WOODS & SUB C.I.

 Jon founded SUB C.I. upon leaving the services, having spent several years in the armed forces conducting diving and boating operations in some particularly unpleasant situations and locations.  Having decided to hang up the diving gear, Jon started to look for an area he could bring his expertise to - accordingly he developed an interest in ROV operations. Recognising the advantages and benefits of current advancements, materials and technologies it seemed a logical direction for him to take.

Launching SUB C.I. was conveniently timed with the release of the breakthrough AC-ROV SP50 - SUB C.I. was able to purchase the latest in micro ROV technology and along with Stuart be the first inspection company armed with this market leading submersible inspection system.

After a period of training and set-up, SUB C.I. is now able to provide a cost effective inspection service.  Although mainly aimed at the Mariners, Marinas and other associated Marine Industries along the English south coast, SUB C.I. are able to deploy quickly and at short notice to most inland and inshore waters of the UK.

SUB C.I. has a very simple aim: to provide a convenient and cost effective solution to any sub surface investigation or survey, for any person or organisation that has the need to obtain sub surface information or images in either a salt or freshwater environment.

From static tank inspections and hull inspections to internal pipeline surveys, we aim to provide a service that is rapid and simple to deploy. Cost effective to the customer, as it is a relatively small operation, and returning clear and concise images and information from beneath the surface.

Sub C.I. and Navigation Engineering Services Ltd are AC-CESS approved AC-ROV operating companies, both full supported and back up by AC-CESS and their parent company All Oceans Engineering Ltd.

For full AC-ROV specification and applications please view www.ac-cess.com

For expert underwater inspection services please view www.underwaterinspection.co.uk

For expert underwater inspection services please view www.subci.com

 AC-CESS – Engineering With Pedigree.

Homeland Security Armed with the “Search Warrant TM.” against Potential Threats

 03/05

A timely breakthrough in Homeland Security has been achieved through a technology development partnership between AC-CESS of Aberdeen Scotland and Deep Development Corp (DDC) of Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada.

For the first time a fully integrated and supported ROV Threat Inspection System is now available to front line operatives and security professionals in the fight against terrorism.  The Viperfish Search WarrantTM. system has specifically been developed to examine, evaluate and record the threat posed by unknown, potentially dangerous targets wherever water can conceal them.

State of the art front end ROV technology is backed up by cutting edge Digital Video Recorder (DVR) equipment, used to inspect and search for explosives, narcotics and weapons by security specialists. For the first time, the front line operator has the option of a purpose built underwater inspection system developed and designed specifically for Homeland Security operations.

The Companies and their Technology

AC-CESS - The AC-ROV is the new breakthrough mini ROV in the underwater inspection market.  Designed for harsh environment inspection in the commercial market, the potential of the AC-ROV in threat detection was instantly realised by the security specialists at Deep Developments Corporations Special Operations Division.  With complete freedom of movement (a market first), a rugged and robust harsh environment design, state of the art underwater camera relay system and intuitive one handed control system ideal for close in fast target identification - the system comes with a true North Sea Oil Industry pedigree.  Designed by All Oceans Engineering Ltd of Aberdeen Scotland, who have over 25 years of offshore and marine solution engineering evident in its capabilities.

Deep Development Corp. – Staffed by underwater inspection and security specialists, Viperfish products are designed for all-weather and harsh environments .Viperfish digital video recording systems have been designed specifically for” Feet Wet” security applications.  Combining critical decision making technology, true robustness and online upgrades it could be seen as though these two technologies were designed as one system.

The Result

The Search Warrant – the redevelopment and integration of these two technologies has resulted in a real weapon against terrorism.  Unprecedented mobility and inspection capabilities are now coupled with digital image and audio recording that is instantly viewable / downloadable.  While a fully integrated ROV Threat Inspection System is a breakthrough in itself, what is more amazing about this equipment is that it is a true single operator system.  Completely portable, the system is deployed and piloted by the individual - who evaluates, identifies and records the suspicious target.  With obvious time and cost savings, the real saving is that of risk to life.

The Search Warrant represents AC-CESS’s and Deep Development Corps commitment to the Homeland Security issue.  The Search Warrant is exclusively available from DDC.

  AC-CESS – Engineering With Pedigree.

www.deepdevelopmentcorp.com

 

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