Seaforth Geosurveys has spent over 30 years delivering innovative offshore survey, geotechnical and site characterisation solutions in some of the world’s most challenging environments. From coastal waters to deep ocean settings, Seaforth’s integrated approach, proven offshore capability and uncompromising focus on quality give clients the confidence to make critical, data-driven decisions.
Seaforth Geosurveys was contracted to deliver a high-resolution pre-engineering geophysical and geotechnical survey to confirm or amend a proposed route for the installation of a fibre-optic telecommunications system connecting remote communities in Nunavut, Canada. The remote location and reduced seasonal operational window meant the Seaforth team had to ensure the project was well planned and executed efficiently, with limited margin for disruption.
Seaforth Geosurveys recognised that traditional sound velocity profile (SVP) acquisition, pausing survey operations to recover towed sensors, would cause significant time loss across the campaign. With multiple sensors deployed and a high volume of SVP casts required, these interruptions threatened to slow progress.
During planning, the team identified that a moving vessel sound velocity profiling (MVP) solution was essential to save vessel time and mitigate schedule risk. Existing market options had been trialled, but none met the project’s operational demands.
Additional constraints included limited deck space, Arctic conditions and the remote location, where equipment failure could cause major delays. A reliable, fully integrated solution was needed to acquire accurate, full water column SVPs without disrupting ongoing survey operations.
Seaforth Geosurveys and STR have a long-standing partnership built on shared values of innovation, quality and operational excellence. For this project, Seaforth chose to deploy the STR SeaCast system, a compact yet robust moving vessel sound velocity profiler designed to acquire full water column SVPs without pausing survey operations.
SeaCast’s self-contained winch, lightweight steel-armoured cable and intuitive control software enabled rapid mobilisation and straightforward integration into Seaforth’s vessel setup. While underway, the system collected real-time sound velocity data, eliminating the need to recover towed sensors for conventional SVP casts.
Features such as automated deployment, real-time data visualisation, altitude monitoring, and seafloor collision avoidance helped maintain data quality and protect equipment in Arctic conditions. STR’s technical expertise and operational support ensured the system performed reliably throughout the campaign, allowing Seaforth to focus on efficient data acquisition and survey progress.
The SeaCast system enabled Seaforth to maintain continuous survey operations while collecting complete SVPs. Across the campaign, over 200 SVP casts were completed without pausing the vessel, recovering several hours of vessel time per day compared with traditional stop-and-cast methods, reducing schedule risk and supporting consistent productivity within a constrained Arctic season.
As Seaforth expands its Arctic presence across multiple sectors and clients, the remote and often harsh environment demands highly reliable and functional technical solutions to facilitate successful project execution. STR has been a highly trusted supply chain partner, working closely with the Seaforth team to ensure we achieve our project objectives time and time again. With the new and innovative SeaCast system mobilized on Seaforth’s survey vessel Mainport Geo, we were able to complete a 60+ day Arctic campaign on time and on budget. STR continues to demonstrate their commitment to excellence in technical solutions, support and innovation.”
– David Lombardi – Seaforth President & CEO
Seaforth highlighted SeaCast’s balance of portability and robustness, bridging the gap between large, permanently installed systems and more fragile portable alternatives. Real-time data visualisation also allowed operators to confirm full water column coverage during each cast, minimising the risk of incomplete profiles or repeat deployments.
Overall, the solution helped Seaforth sustain survey momentum, manage schedule pressures effectively and successfully complete the campaign on time.
Randy Mullins
Region Director – AMEA
STR’s TitanMux was deployed onboard a vessel during post-lay burial and final survey operations in the Mediterranean. Faced with increasingly complex subsea survey requirements, the operator required a next-generation multiplexer capable of handling higher sensor payloads, optimising power usage, and accelerating mobilisation, without compromising reliability. The objective was to enhance operational efficiency, maximise vehicle uptime and future-proof the fleet through a scalable and standardised solution.
STR delivered the TitanMux system, purpose-built to support high-density multi-sensor configurations with intuitive power management and port flexibility. Its compact size, advanced diagnostics interface and standardised bulkhead design enabled faster mobilisation, streamlined onboard configuration, and the deployment of additional sensors without operational burden.
Beyond supplying equipment, STR provided technical support, rapid firmware updates and configuration optimisation to ensure seamless integration with existing systems throughout this initial operational trial. The team’s proactive and collaborative technical approach helped unlock the full capability of TitanMux from the very first deployment, without any disruption to the project.
Prior to adopting STR’s TitanMux, the operator faced several operational limitations with its previous multiplexer systems:
Demand for rapid adaptability: The operator needed a multiplexer capable of quickly adapting to evolving project acquisition requirements, advanced sensor packages and tooling payloads across diverse operational environments.
The STR TitanMux has delivered immediate and measurable improvements to subsea operations. Its intuitive interface has transformed real-time sensor monitoring, diagnostics and fault analysis, keeping operations fully operational while capturing valuable insights during deployment. Learnings from each operation were communicated continuously to STR’s research and development team, allowing firmware updates and optimisations to be applied without disrupting ongoing activities. This close collaboration ensured improvements were implemented seamlessly, enabling rapid decision-making and reducing downtime.
Key outcomes included:
STR partnered with specialist ROV provider Geo Oceans to deliver Flooded Member Detection (FMD) services for an offshore inspection campaign on Australia’s North West Shelf.
As part of the scope, we deployed our in-house STR SeaGamma FMD system alongside one of our most experienced field engineers. The wider inspection programme also included close visual inspections, cathodic protection (CP) measurements, cleaning tasks and FMD surveys.
FMD is a critical component of these campaigns, as undetected flooded members can create safety risks and lead to costly remedial action. By providing accurate verification, STR enabled Geo Oceans to meet its client’s risk-based inspection commitments and confirm the integrity of the platform structure.
STR managed the Flooded Member Detection (FMD) element of the project end-to-end, which included specialist equipment, an experienced Field Engineer and full data management and reporting.
Mobilisation was carried out through our Perth base, allowing Geo Oceans to access local support and avoid the added costs of international supply.
At the core of the service was STR’s SeaGamma FMD system, an ROV-deployed gamma radiation solution. As our primary FMD technology, SeaGamma is recognised for delivering rapid and reliable flooded member detection. Its proven accuracy and flexible deployment makes it particularly well suited to platform-based inspections. In this project, it was integrated with Geo Oceans’ platform-launched ROV operations, supporting efficient inspections and reducing offshore time.
This inspection did not present significant operational difficulties. The main requirement was strict compliance with client specifications and the ability to deliver services locally without relying on international mobilisation. While this could have created delays and added costs for other providers, STR’s established presence in Perth ensured the project was executed smoothly with the necessary equipment and expertise available on the ground.
To operate the system, STR supplied one of our most experienced Field Engineers, Martin O’Connell, who is also a qualified CSWIP 3.4U subsea inspection engineer. Martin’s dual qualifications brought a high level of technical capability to the FMD work, ensuring the surveys were executed efficiently and to a high standard. This combination of specialist expertise and advanced technology delivered reliable data collection and clear verification of structural integrity for the client.
The FMD inspections were completed efficiently and in line with the client’s programme requirements, with the SeaGamma system verifying member conditions and providing the assurance needed to meet regulatory commitments.
Delivered under a single point of responsibility, STR’s service covered equipment, personnel, data management and reporting, ensuring continuity from mobilisation through to final outputs. Mobilising through our Perth base avoided the delays and costs often associated with international supply, giving the client measurable savings on freight, visas and travel.
In addition, STR’s in-house reporting produced regulator-ready outputs, supporting compliance obligations and enabling results to be acted on without delay. This project highlights how STR’s global reach, local capability and integrated inspection services make us a trusted partner for operators seeking efficient, reliable solutions.
STR supported Fugro with a large geophysical survey project for boulder detection around offshore wind farms across Europe.
By combining our high-quality winch technology with our unrivalled research and development capabilities, the STR team was able to provide a highly effective and reliable solution for Fugro, helping the company achieve the following target metrics:
By developing an understanding of Fugro’s project and specific requirements, the STR team provided a tailored solution to enhance the company’s geophysical survey project.
This involved not only providing our state-of-the-art electric winch technology, but also developing a bespoke solution to enable integration with the customer’s Scantrol Active Heave Control (AHC) system.
STR’s SeaTow 2000 was selected for this project, as it met and exceeded the customer’s operational requirements.
From its, low electrical noise (which ensures data quality is not impacted) and low environmental impact due to having no hydraulic fluids,
to its, Compact footprint, minimal maintenance requirements, cable capacity, class-leading interface capability, advanced electronic control system, high torque and mobilisation-ready design; this electric winch was recommended to provide a highly effective and reliable solution for Fugro’s offshore survey project.
Our research and development team worked closely with Fugro and Scantrol to create a bespoke integration between STR’s SeaTow 2000 and the Scantrol AHC system. Unlike other winch systems on the market, the STR SeaTow control system allowed the Scantrol system to be integrated to the winch’s digital communications system without physical modification of the winch.
The result of this advancement is that the AHC system can now be instantly connected to the remote interface of any STR SeaTow winch, with no requirement for additional customisation and development of the existing hardware.
From initial enquiry through to project commencement, we were in discussions with the Fugro team throughout, with our highly experienced technical team providing 24/7 support as well as assistance with integration.
Thanks to our innovative and industry-leading fleet of electric winches, unparalleled research and development capabilities, and highly skilled technical team, we are well equipped to support our customers’ offshore renewables projects and deliver significant cost efficiencies through the utilisation of cleaner subsea equipment, such as our SeaTow winches.
Initial feedback from Fugro is that the trials of the combined system using the SeaTow 2000 and Scantrol AHC system have been very successful and are working well to improve data quality, which has been reiterated by Scantrol. Due to a reduction in vessel down time, Fugro is expecting significant ROI to be achieved.
On the back of this, the successful testing that took place during the research and development stages of this project has resulted in the integration of Scantrol AHC system being readily available in all STR’s SeaTow winches, proving a differentiating capability for our range of geophysical survey equipment for future customers. Following the positive outcome, STR is continuing to support Fugro on its other developmental requirements.
Ben Ayres
Geophysics Technical Group Leader – Europe & Africa
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STR’s innovative geophysical equipment and world class technical support were required to support our customer with its bid for SunCable’s flagship development project, Australia-Asia Power Link (AAPowerLink), helping to overcome the complexities of subsea surveys and working across multiple continents.
As one of the most ambitious renewable energy generation and transmission projects in Australia, AAPowerLink is particularly high profile. Not only does it involve the creation of the world’s largest solar farm, it also requires the longest undersea cable and the largest battery in the world at 36 to 42 gigawatt-hours. On completion, this project will be the world’s biggest integrated renewable energy and battery storage facility.
A 4,200km DC power cable will run from the Powell Creek Solar Precinct in Darwin, through the territory of Indonesia and into Singapore. As a result, this large scale solar project aims to provide as much as 15% of Singapore’s electricity needs, offering the country a degree of energy independence from Malaysia where it currently has to purchase gas to fuel traditional power generation.
Guardian Geomatics has been a key customer for STR since we first expanded to Australia in 2018. This meant we were involved in project discussions right from its initial bid which focused on traditional towed/vessel-mounted sensors as an alternative to AUV surveys.
The project required a significant amount of STR’s geophysical equipment across two phases of work when conducting site investigations for the power cable route survey. The first phase was from Darwin to the border of Australia and Indonesia, while the second phase was through Indonesian territory and eventually to Singapore. Initially, this involved one vessel, however, multiple other vessels were later utilised.
Our team in the Asia Pacific region has gained extensive experience in the intricacies of operating in deep water, which meant we could confidently advise on the best technology before providing a suite of specialist geophysical products that integrated with Guardian Geomatics’ own equipment. To effectively study the route we supplied the following:
We provided the majority of the geophysical products. Guardian Geomatics supplied all of its own PCs and navigation equipment.
Requiring assistance with logistics to enable the products to arrive at the mobilisation location efficiently as well as additional technical support, we onboarded a full-time STR Field Engineer to ensure the best chance of success and uptime for the equipment on the job.
As part of the project and through the expertise of our engineer, we were able to technically review some of the equipment choices and suggest minor adjustments to optimise performance. Additionally, we were responsible for overseeing the conversion of the ex-ROV umbilical winch to ensure it would be compatible with our Sidescan Sonar technology. This involved some mechanical upgrades and the addition of a remote control system with associated testing.
With multiple countries involved in the project, there were several complexities to address, including;
Commencement of the project in Indonesia was particularly challenging, as this was a unique job with very little precedent set when it came to applying for work permits. Also, due to the nature of the work area, the equipment came into contact with a significant amount of fishing gear near the seabed and in the water column, which was important for the team to navigate.
Thanks to our global capabilities and STR offices in both Australia and Singapore, we are well equipped to support the project in both continents under one single team and supply products from one single source, further ensuring efficiency and reliability due to our unrivalled young and advanced fleet.
The standout success was the ability to utilise our STR engineer on the vessel, who was able to quickly resolve technical issues onboard by liaising with our extensive onshore support network. This highlights the world-class offering of equipment and technical support STR has to offer, even in some of the largest projects.
Steve Duffield
Director – Guardian Geomatics
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