A successor to the world’s most successful pipe and cable tracker has been developed by VT TSS Ltd. The new TSS 440 has tracking range up to 50 per cent greater than its predecessor, the TSS 340, which with nearly 200 in use around the world, is the most successful product of its kind. It is widely used by the oil and gas and the submarine cables industries to locate and survey pipelines and cables on or below the seabed at water depths of up to 3,000 metres (9,843 ft). Development of the 440 was initiated to create a system that is capable of locating pipes and cables that are buried more deeply or laid in more difficult locations.

The principal difficulty overcome by the VT TSS development team was the effect that sea water has upon the pulse induction technology used by the TSS 340. The pulse induction technique uses a system mounted on a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) which flies as low as possible over the seabed. Powerful electromagnetic pulses generated by the TSS 340 pass through the seafloor and, on reaching a metallic object, cause electrical eddy currents to be generated within it. These currents create a small electrical discharge that the 340 measures and uses to compute the depth and position of the pipe or cable.

It was noted, however, that it was not possible to increase the range of the TSS 340 simply by increasing its power output. This is partly due to the physics of pulse induction which demand a 10 fold increase in voltage output to achieve a doubling of detection range. This problem is made worse by the mildly conductive effect of sea water which also causes eddy currents to be generated within the water itself. These could be calculated for elimination but for the variations in water conductivity caused by changes in the height at which the ROV flies above the seabed. Variations in sea water temperature and depth also affect its conductivity and make its effect during a survey largely unpredictable.

A new mathematical technique was consequently developed at VT TSS following experiments performed to study the rate at which eddy currents decay in sea water. By developing a new calibration process for the 440 and by exploiting the difference in electrical response from the target and the surrounding water, it was possible for the VT TSS team to develop an algorithm that largely overcomes the problem. Depending on the size and shape of the target, the new 440 offers detection ranges 30 to 50 per cent greater than the 340. The increased range means that it can also deal with the potential errors that arise when a cable is in an open trench or passing through a rock berm and the new system is expected to attract world-wide interest.

Significant practical help in the development of the TSS 440 was provided by Statoil, DeepOcean and Global Marine Systems which assisted with user input and the important sea trials.

The new system includes a number of practical improvements that are also expected to make it attractive to potential users. These include system processing being undertaken topsides where the making of corrections now becomes possible. New Windows software also makes the system easier to use while new, more sensitive search coils and a new high performance TSS altimeter give the system’s hardware a correspondingly significant improvement.

Further information can be obtained by contacting Steve Cowls, Product Manager - VT TSS at scowls@tssuk.co.uk

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We have only ever written once before of the loss of a person dedicated to our industry and we make no apologies for including this particular tribute for a friend and colleague who will be dearly missed.

MEREDITH MARY RHODES--- Reared in Houston and most recently a resident of Katy, Texas, was born March 12, 1956 in Charlotte, N.C.; passed away in her sleep on Saturday, October 19, 2002.

Her father, Charles Montgomery Rhodes, III, preceded Meredith in death. Her mother, Dorothy Gordon Rhodes of Houston; a sister, Kimberly Rhodes Manship; a niece, Amanda Lee Goss; a nephew, Hunter F. Manship; and her brother-in-law, Richard F. Manship, survive her. Services were held on October 24, 2002 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

A very special thank you is warranted for the Manship family, for their caring generosity in providing transportation for a small number of close friends to attend the burial services in Baton Rouge.

Life long friends Marilyn Reynolds and Sondra Byers, together with devoted friend, Vincent DeMaio, along with many other friends, organized a memorial and celebration of her life locally in Houston. Buffet & drinks were provided at The Black Labrador on Friday, November 1, courtesy of MDL Ltd. and Managing Director/Owner, Steve Ball.

MDL Ltd. was represented by David S. Lorimer, MDL Marine Division Manager (Aberdeen), who gave a personal testimonial. Several people, including, coworker, Leonel Cortes, who read the words of Steve Ball, Phil Howells and Marilyn Reynolds gave testimonials and accounts of their fond memories and fun times with Meredith. Faithful friend Vincent DeMaio was especially moving in his tribute to Meredith and was intimately and proudly involved in making many of the arrangements on her passing. Some 60+ attendees all took time to thank Vincent for his tireless efforts in making the tribute such a success.

Memorial donations were taken at the door and made to the American Diabetes Association (ADA). A scholarship fund was also set up in her name initiated by generous donations from local prominent businessmen of our industry and heartily supported by many attending the memorial evening. Meredith’s "Texans"football season tickets" were also auctioned off as seed money to the fund.

After several years’ initiation into our business via stints with Seatronics and Harvey-Lynch in Houston, Meredith started work at MDL Ltd. in Houston (HQ Aberdeen, Scotland) around 1985. As MDL MD, Steve Ball put it, "My first impressions have always remained. Meredith was everything I had imagined of the 'All American Texas Girl'... handsome, gregarious, blunt, efficient, hardworking and honest. Above all she was kind and thoughtful about others. There is no doubt that these qualities endeared her to all she met." He went on to state that she was 'one in a million' and her qualities were taxed to the limit in this industry of ours.

For those of you who never knew Meredith, she served the hydrographic community with unswerving commitment and continual contribution. She never, ever complained throughout her 20+ year long and often painful battle with chronic Diabetes. Meredith donated countless hours every year to local events including the annual Chili cook-of (where she was known as the 'Chili Cook-Off Queen") as well as serving on the Hydrographic Society, Houston Chapter Committee. She was a true "listener" and a one-of-a-kind, totally unselfish, very special person. She was very much appreciated, will truly be missed, and will remain forever in the hearts of all those that came to associate with, know, and love her.

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Triton Elics International (TEI) (Watsonville, California) recently demonstrated the surveying efficiency of the HydroSuite integrated multibeam survey system in Sydney, Australia.

This demonstration was coordinated with a multibeam training course organized by the Royal Australian Navy and Sydney University.

HydroSuite features a TEI bathymetry acquisition system integrated with the SM 2000, 120 degree multibeam sonar head and all ancillary sensors. Visitors witnessed HydroSuite displaying real-time bathymetry maps in DelphMap on an electronic chart background and in three-dimensional views. Survey planning and line navigation were conducted with TEI DelphNav. TEI also provides the bathymetry acquisition system as a stand-alone package called TEI Bathy+Plus.

Triton Elics International develops integrated survey systems and advanced survey tools for commercial, academic, and military customers. More information is available on TEI's website: http://www.tritonelics.com

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Deepwater currents in the Gulf of Mexico have a profound effect on every aspect of offshore oil and gas operations. There is a need for increased research into the mechanisms that cause them and the physics of their effects on floating and fixed structures.

Such is the concern about deepwater currents that a Marathon Oil-hosted workshop in Houston attracted over 170 engineers, scientists and managers. Called Gulf of Mexico Currents for Deepwater Operations, it was devised and sponsored by Fugro GEOS, co-sponsored by RD Instruments and Horizon Marine, with support from the Society for Underwater Technology.

Key points emerging were:
• We are continually observing new, strong current phenomena as the offshore industry moves into deeper waters.

• This means that we must increase our knowledge about the mechanisms that cause the currents.

• We need a greater understanding of the physics of how the currents affect offshore structures, from exploration and production risers to the design of fixed platforms.

• In order to achieve effective design of exploration drilling programmes and of production facilities there needs to be a combination of both measured data and those derived from accurate ocean circulation hindcast more and predictive models. These require further investment, particularly by increasing the scale of oceanographic measurements throughout the Gulf of Mexico in order to develop and verify models.

The scene was set by workshop chairman, consultant John Vermersch, who outlined the oceanography of the Gulf. The significance of deepwater currents along the Sigsbee Escarpment - accompanied by dramatic footage from the Alvin manned submersible - was spelt out by Texas A&M's William R Bryant.

The impact of currents on deepwater drilling was presented by Transocean's Riddle Steddum; Mike Stambouzos of BHP Billiton discussed key design and engineering considerations for extreme phenomena.

With the awareness of the potential problems posed by deepwater currents has come a surge of activity to measure and record them in a meaningful way. At the workshop, Fugro GEOS' Jan van Smirren and RD Instruments' Jim Fahey gave an update on real-time measurement systems. This was backed up by Horizon Marine's Patrice Coholan and Jim Feeney on the eddy advisory service now available for the Gulf of Mexico and an initiative designed to encourage the sharing and transfer of real-time current data between operators. Ken Schaudt of Marathon Oil completed the operational overview by showing how available data could be used to maximise operational efficiency and bring significant cost savings.

More information from Rob Smith, Fugro GEOS Inc , Houston. T: +713 346 3600 F: +713 346 605 oe email: usa@geos.com or visit their web site at http://www.geos.com

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The 29th Ocean Mapping Group multibeam course was recently held on October 21 - 26, 2002 at the Estuarine Habitat Research Center on the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s campus.

This course was hosted by C & C Technologies of Lafayette, LA and included attendees from NOAA (District Offices and the Ships RUDE and RAINIER), Naval Oceanographic Office at Stennis Labs, Geological Survey Israel, UK Hydrographic Office, Canadian Hydrographic Office, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Terra Survey, BHP Billiton Petroleum, Marine Sciences Research Center at Stoney Brook University, Exxon Mobil, Kongsberg Simrad, Mike Hamilton & Associates, private contractors, and employees from C&C Technologies, Inc.

The Ocean Mapping Group multibeam course is the premier class pertaining to multibeam bathymetry mapping in the world. The course consisted of 36-lectures over a period of six days. The instructors included Dr. Larry Mayer, Director of the Coastal and Ocean Mapping Center at the University of New Hampshire, Dr. John E. Hughes Clarke, Chair of the Ocean Mapping Group at the University of New Brunswick, Dr. David Wells, Adjunct Professor at the University of New Brunswick, the University of New Hampshire, and the University of Southern Mississippi, and Dr. Christian P. de Moustier, Professor of Ocean Engineering at the Coastal and Ocean Mapping Center at the University of New Hampshire.

The goal of the course was to prepare and train experienced Hydrographers in the use of multibeam sonar systems. The course was primarily designed to provide a theoretical and practical background in marine swath technology. However, it was tailored for those using marine swath systems in non-traditional ocean survey fields such as continental shelf boundary delimitation, offshore engineering, harbor dredging, fisheries habitat, route survey, and scientific research fields.

Overall the course was a huge success and very well received by all. One attendee was quoted saying, "C & C's technical innovation captured my imagination sometime in 2000 with an AUV presentation to the Houston Hydrographic Society by Thomas Chance, but last week I had an introduction to the quality, commitment, and enthusiasm of the people that make it happen." Visit http://www.cctechnol.com

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(October 15, 2002 -- Cataumet, MA USA) Falmouth Scientific, Inc. is pleased to announce the appointment of Margo Newcombe as their new Director of Sales and Marketing.

FSI's merger with Acoustikos in July created a new entity in the oceanographic industry that now offers a wide variety of physical and acoustic sensors, as well as extensive engineering capability. Margo's familiarity with the industry and her experience with FSI and Acoustikos products and services will provide the experience and background necessary to lead the marketing and sales effort for the new Falmouth Scientific Group. Margo has over 12 years of experience in the offshore/oceanographic industry, as Marketing Manager for Datasonics, Inc. and as President of MLN Marketing.

Margo's directorship will allow the new FSI group to effectively organize and communicate the company’s significantly expanded capabilities and lead the growth of the new FSI. To learn more about the New FSI, Margo can be contacted directly at newcombe@falmouth.com or Tel. +1-508-564-7640,X107 or visit their web site at http://www.falmouth.com.

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The deadline for submitting editorial for UnderWater Magazine's January/February 2003 issue is November 15, 2002. This issue will be distributed at Underwater Intervention 2003 in New Orleans. Companies are invited to promote themselves in the following features:

ROV Pictorial: ROV contractors and vehicle manufacturers are invited to send color images of their vehicles, with detailed captions describing projects they have worked on.

Case Studies in Underwater Welding: Underwater welding contractors are invited to describe a recent project that showcased their unique capabilities.

Marketplace - Underwater Camera Equipment: Manufacturers and distributors are invited to describe their latest offerings.

UnderWater has all the latest news from every segment of the underwater industry: commercial diving, ROVs and AUVs, offshore oil and gas, subsea cable operations, marine technology, corrosion control, shipwrecks, and updates from the Association of Diving Contractors International. To contribute, email editor@doylepublishing.com or call 281-440-0278. Again, deadline is November 15, although the earlier you get your materials in, the better your positioning and exposure in any given feature. For more information on Underwater Intervention (February 10-12, 2003, in New Orleans), the world's premiere subsea contracting conference, visit http://www.underwaterintervention.com.

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QinetiQ, the UK defence research organisation formerly called DERA, has taken delivery of seven lightweight acoustic release transponders (LRTs) and a surface control system from Sonardyne International Ltd. The transponders will be used in naval sonar research trials and were chosen as a cost-effective method for the seabed deployment and recovery of underwater equipment.

The Type 7986 Lightweight Release Transponder is the latest design of acoustic release from Sonardyne. It is a compact, low-cost unit that can be deployed on the seabed and activated by an acoustic signal to release moored loads up to 125 kg. An innovative screw-off release mechanism ensures a positive action unaffected by marine growth. Options include a canister of rope that is paid-out as the unit returns to the surface from where the line can be used to recover any equipment to which it is attached.

One of the reasons QinetiQ chose the LRT is because of its ability to both receive and transmit acoustic signals. This allows slant ranges to be measured for accurate positioning purposes and for relocating the unit prior to activation of the release mechanism. The facility also provides the benefit of informing the operator that the release mechanism has been activated.

The LRT can also be used in conjunction with Sonardyne’s range and direction guidance systems ROV-Homer and Homer-Pro. These systems enable a diver or ROV pilot to return to targets marked with a transponder quickly and easily, months or evenyears after it has been deployed.

The Sonardyne transponder is depth rated to 500 metres at which slant ranges of 750 metres are typical and this makes it suitable for use in most continental shelf waters. Constructed from high strength plastics that offer excellent corrosion resistance, the transponder has a long operational life. Field replaceable alkaline or lithium battery packs give the LRT a listening life of 18 months or 4½ years respectively.

The surface control system consists of a portable deck unit and a dunking transducer that is supplied with 10 metres of cable. The deck unit is used to program the transponder with its unique, high security acoustic identity which can be chosen from one of hundreds available. It also serves to test the LRT’s release mechanism prior to deployment and can be controlled via RS232 which enables raw range data to be logged onto a PC.

The Lightweight Release Transponder is manufactured by Sonardyne at its headquarters in Yateley, England. The company also has offices in Aberdeen, Houston, Singapore, Brazil and Norway. It is recognised as a world leader in the design and manufacture of advanced acoustic instruments and systems used for accurate survey, positioning and tracking in shallow and full ocean depth operations. More from Sonardyne International Ltd. Blackbushe Business Park, Yateley, Hampshire, GU46 6GD UK Tel: +44 (0) 1252 872288 Fax: +44 (0)1252 876100 or visit their web site at http://www.sonardyne.co.uk.

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Shell WindEnergy and its partners CeltPower and Elsam have awarded a two-year contract to Fugro GEOS Ltd, UK, to service and maintain two meteorological masts at their wind farm site in Morecambe Bay, 7km off the north-west coast of England.

Over the next year sensors on the masts will provide information critical to the design of the wind farm's turbines and enable estimates of the energy generated by the farm to be calculated. Further instrumentation for wave measurement may be added. The two masts are on top of piles rising 15m above mean sea level, with the tallest rising a further 80m above the sea. Fugro GEOS has fitted them with a range of sensors to measure and record wind speed and direction, air temperature, relative humidity, air pressure and rainfall. The data will also be transmitted in real-time via a mobile phone link to Fugro GEOS' office for quality checks. Fugro GEOS initially undertook a desk study supporting the wind farm development. This included a literature search to establish what data were available, calculation of metocean criteria and recommendations for future measurements. Information from the desk study was later used in designing the two meteorological masts.

The measurements and study form part of Shell WindEnergy's site investigations for the development of a wind farm that could have up to 90 turbines and generate upwards of 300 megawatts of electricity. More information from Louise Ledgard, Fugro GEOS UK, Tel: +44 (0) 1793 725766. Fax: +44 1793 706604 or e-mail: uk@geos.com or visit the web site at http://www.geos.com.

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The latest version of AAE's Acoustic Buoy Release system has proven a complete success during recent trials of RDI Directional Wave Sensors onboard the latest model of Compass Data Systems' ADCP Frame. The tests were carried out on behalf of the French government in conjunction with the University of Bordeaux. The evaluation took place during the first quarter of 2002 off Archacon in the Bay of Biscay. Representatives from Compass Data Systems, RDI Europe and the French Ministry were all in attendance.

The Frame was deployed in 45 metres of water and remained on the seabed harvesting data, continuously, for 3 months. Upon returning to the site to retrieve the ADCP, Dr. Jonathan Taylor of Compass Data Systems located the Frame using the Ranging function onboard the AAE PAM Release Deck unit to triangulate the position of the Acoustic Buoy Release Transponder. (AAE Release Transponders will also operate as Navigation Transponders with all industry standard USBL tracking systems).

Once in position over the ADCP Frame, Dr. Taylor activated the AAE Buoy Release using the PAM Release Deck unit. The buoy subsequently and seamlessly floated to the surface after the first 'Ping' from the PAM unit. The ADCP Frame was then pulled to the surface using the Frame Recovery Line.

This latest version of the Frame / Release system features the new "Horseshoe Latch Release Mechanism" which was launched in January 2002. This very robust mechanism had been specifically designed for ADCP Frames to render release fouling by marine growth and/or inappropriate Frame orientation virtually impossible.

According to Hector Kyriakidis from RDI Europe, the resultant data from the RDI Directional Wave Sensor was also highly satisfactory. In light of this success, Applied Acoustics, RDI and Compass Data Systems now look forward to further trials of these ADCP Frames.

Further details of this new Frame/Release system are available from Compass Data Systems Tel: +44 (0) 870 013 2390 or from AAE UK Tel: +44 (0) 1493 440355. (Also, see AAE's Website at: http://www.appliedacoustics.com for full contact details and further product information).

Houston, (October 29, 2002)-- Sonsub’s HOS Innovator vessel crew was recently recognized for completing 100,000 man-hours with no Lost Time Incidents (LTIs) and no OSHA recordables. The President and CEO of Sonsub Inc., Bruce C. Gilman, presented an award for this achievement to Superintendent Joey Lekovich accepting on behalf of the HOS Innovator crew.

Sonsub believes this achievement was made possible by collaboration between Sonsub and Hornbeck personnel and demonstrates the close working relationship that exists and the single purpose philosophy of everyone on board and supporting the HOS Innovator. Following on the heels of the one-year accident free accomplishment for the vessel itself, Sonsub VP QHSE Lynn Lehmann stated, "The daily actions of the Sonsub Employees assigned to the HOSI continually reinforces the philosophy of "HSE-Teamwork"and "Individual Employee HSE Ownership"."

Since it began working for Sonsub in 2001, the vessel has been involved with jumper installation, flying lead installation, mattress installation, touchdown monitoring, pre and post lay survey and a variety of other construction related activities.

Sonsub, a Saipem Group company, is recognized as an established leader in the development and application of quality, cost-effective solutions for subsea environments. Specializing in subsea construction engineering and remote intervention, Sonsub maintains offices in the USA, United Kingdom, Norway, Italy and South East Asia. For more information, please contact Marco Sclocchi at Sonsub Inc., 15950 Park Row, Houston, TX 77084. Telephone: 281-552-5674. Fax: 281-552-5909. E-mail: marco.sclocchi@sonsub.com

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HOUSTON, Nov. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Cal Dive International, Inc. (Nasdaq: CDIS), in response to press coverage and rumors surrounding a potential acquisition of DSND, Inc., disclosed relevant facts to clear any misinformation.

Cal Dive confirmed an offer was made to the DSND Board. The offer was rejected and no discussions were held between the companies. The recently announced refinancing plan by the DSND Board alters the capitalization of the company and shareholder issues to the point that Cal Dive has no interest in DSND, Inc. As a result, Cal Dive will not submit another offer.

Owen Kratz, Cal Dive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "The offer to DSND was made as an alternative to refinancing options for their Board to consider. Cal Dive's strategic plan could have had compelling value for both shareholder groups. Cal Dive has added significant assets in recent years that command our full focus and we have no interest in being distracted by a hostile situation." Contact Jim Nelson, Vice Chairman of Cal Dive International, Inc.,

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The Minerals Management Service (MMS), Gulf of Mexico Region, announces today that the oil and gas industry has set a new world water depth record for both pipelines and producing wells.

In September of 2001, MMS permitted the Canyon Express gas gathering pipeline system (Canyon Express). This pipeline system comprises 32 pipeline segments and is a collaboration of several operators in an effort to reduce costs in developing three separate deepwater natural gas fields in the Mississippi Canyon and Desoto Canyon areas. Canyon Express links the Camden Hills, Aconcagua, and Kings Peak natural gas fields. It is anticipated that the peak production rate of Canyon Express will be 500 million cubic feet of natural gas per day once all the wells from these fields are on line.

The Camden Hills field was discovered in 1999 by Marathon Oil Company (Marathon) and is located in Mississippi Canyon Block 348, approximately 150 miles southeast of New Orleans. It is the deepest field in the recently completed Canyon Express pipeline system.

Marathon has set the world record for well production, and TotalFinaElf has set the world record for laying a pipeline, both records set at a water depth of 7,209 feet. This water depth record exceeds by about 100 feet the previous record set approximately two months ago by TotalFinaElf in the Aconcagua field. Camden Hills consists of two subsea wells with flowlines and control systems connected to Canyon Express. These wells were permitted by MMS on August 8, 2001, and began producing on October 11, 2002. Camden Hills is currently producing 100 million cubic feet per day of natural gas.

MMS is the federal agency in the U.S. Department of the Interior that manages the nation's oil, natural gas and other mineral resources on the outer continental shelf in federal offshore waters. The agency also collects, accounts for and disburses mineral revenues from federal and Indian leases. These revenues totaled nearly $10 billion in 2001 and more than $120 billion since the agency was created in 1982. Annually, nearly $1 billion from those revenues go into the Land and Water Conservation Fund for the acquisition and development of state and federal park and recreation lands. Visit their website at http://www.mms.gov

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Lifetime Limited Warranty. RBR Ltd has announced that all new shipments of the XR-420 and TR-1050 series data loggers will have a lifetime limited warranty.

This recognises the requirements of customers who are using ever longer deployment periods, and it also acknowledges the inherent reliability of modern electronics. RBR Ltd has been operating from its Ottawa location for more than 25 years, and has kept careful records of instrument failures during that time. Modern electronics circuitry is capable of operation without component failure for extended periods. More details of this warranty may be found at http://www.brancker.com/warranty.htm

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The Minerals Management Service (MMS) Gulf of Mexico OCS Region announced today the introduction of the oil and gas Public Information Data System, an online system that allows the customer to view and download different types of publicly releasable documents pertaining to the oil and gas industry. These available documents include Well Summary Reports, Sundry Notices, Applications for Permit to Drill, Plans, Pipeline Rights- of-Way Files, and Suspensions of Production and Operations. The new system offers customers savings in money, time, and energy because the public can now get these documents through the Internet at any time.

MMS’s Gulf of Mexico Regional Director Chris Oynes hailed the new system: "This is a tremendous improvement in our customer service capability and for the thousands of customers who use our oil and gas records for activity in the ocean. This Internet access to various records will potentially save them considerable time and expense."
The system is available at http://www.gomr.mms.gov. Each document consists of a set of raster format (TIFF) images that can be viewed and downloaded separately. There are approximately 980,000 images available to the public.

The documents can be searched by using six different indexes, namely Expired Leases, G&G Permits, Plans, Rights-of-Way, Suspensions of Production and Operations, and Well Files. Each index is used to search through different types of documents, and each index has appropriate criteria the user can enter. For example, the G&G Permits index is used to search through all Geological and Geophysical Permits by entering any of the following criteria: Permit Number, Applicant Name, Releasable Date, and Notes. In contrast, the Well Index is used to search through Well Summary Reports, Sundry Notices, and Applications for Permit to Drill, and the user can enter an appropriately different set of criteria: Lease, Well Name, API, and Entered Date.

Another feature of the system is that there is an "Imported Date" criterion in each index, where the user can enter a date range to view or download the most recent documents added to the system. The user can also see when the documents have last been updated or added to an index by viewing the "Data last updated" date on each page where criteria are entered. To make the system even more user friendly, MMS is in the process of converting the TIFF images to PDF format. This process should be completed by the end of the year. Visit the website at http://www.mms.gov

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LONDON, UK – October 15, 2002 - Norsk Hydro, and license Partners Chevron, Conoco and Petoro, have recently awarded the contract for the seismic data processing of the prestigious PL283 ‘Stetind’ project to Geotrace Ensign. The dataset covers a full fold area of 2,535 square kilometers and is located in quadrants 6605 and 6606 of the Norwegian Sea. It is believed to be one of the largest 3D projects in Norwegian waters during the 2002 season.

During the processing, which will include Kirchhoff curved-ray pre-stack time migration, amplitude preservation will be a key issue. A spokesman for Geotrace Ensign said "We are delighted to be working with Norsk Hydro and the license Partners on this hugely significant project. Geotrace Ensign’s reputation for conscientious and attentive quality processing goes before us and we are dedicated to making Stetind a success."

Geotrace Ensign is part of the Geotrace Technologies group of companies and is a leading provider of proprietary technologies aimed at imaging and integrated solutions used to enhance the optimization of petroleum reservoirs. It serves the worldwide petroleum industry. Additional information about Geotrace can be found on the company’s website at http://www.geotrace.com.

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Chesapeake, Virginia (October 28, 2002)-- Her Majesty the Queen has appointed Michael Dana Kohler, a Principal Shiprider for Ocean Marine Industries, Inc., of Chesapeake, Virginia, as an honorary Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.

The Queen bestows the MBE in recognition of great service to Britain. Mr. Kohler was honored for the high quality of service and the deep commitment he has brought to the survey ship the HMS Scott.

Ocean Marine Industries provides technological and logistic support services to the Scott, and Mr. Kohler has been responsible since the ship's commissioning in 1997 for the day-to-day operation, maintenance, and repair of the unique survey equipment aboard ship. Minister for Defence Procurement Lord Bach presented the award on behalf of the Queen last September at the Devonport Naval Base.

A spokeswoman for Ocean Marine Industries (OMI) said, "We are all very proud of Michael and what this award represents. Each and every person involved in the support of HMS Scott is proud to play a role in such a unique and challenging program, and without the support and leadership of our sponsor, the Marine and Navigation Division of SPAWARSYSCEN SD, this program would not be nearly as successful as it has been."

HMS Scott collects seabed survey data later used by the UK Hydrographic Office to produce Admiralty charts. Ocean Marine Industries (www.oceanmarineinc.com) provides marine-based support services to both government and commercial industries, specializing in logistics and operational support, in addition to international marketing and distribution services.

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L-3 Communications ELAC Nautik GmbH has hosted in Kiel on 11 October 2002 the fourth MUC-Multibeam User Conference. MUC‘2002 has been held in the facilities of Geomar Research Institute located directly on the Eastside of Kiel Bay near the entry of river Schwentine.

Guests learned about multibeam applications for shallow, medium and deep water and received information on data processing means for bathymetric and backscatter data. Furthermore information was provided concerning standards in the submarine cable market. EGS (Asia) Ltd. has displayed the development of the survey market on the rim of China.

The event in Kiel has attracted the attention of more fifty guests from as many as 12 different countries. Papers have been given by representatives of international submarine cable operators, commercial survey companies as well as various research institutes. More from Ralf Timm, L-3 Communications ELAC Nautik, Kiel, 15.10.2002.

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Coastal Oceanographic's HYPACK 2003 Training Conference will be held at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort and Spa in Phoenix, AZ from 6 to 9 January, 2003.

The conference will feature three days of training sessions covering all the aspects of single beam and multibeam hydrographic surveying using our HYPACK MAX and HYSWEEP packages. HYPACK 2003 will also allow surveyors an opportunity to view the latest hydrographic equipment. Exhibitors from software/hardware manufacturers, equipment resellers and service providers will be on hand in the exhibit hall to demonstrate their products. There is no additional charge to attend the exhibits will be hosted by many of the leading manufacturers of hydrographic equipment.

On-line registration for the HYPACK 2003 Training Conference will be available at the Coastal Oceanographics web site (www.coastalo.com). The cost is US$275 for HYPACK user that subscribed to the Maintenance Plan, and $475 for all none users .Registration provides access to all training sessions, exhibits, lunch and hospitality functions.

Companies interested in exhibiting at the HYPACK 2003 Training Conference should contact Mrs. Lourdes R. Evans (lourdes@coastalo.com,, phone: 860-349-3800 regarding booth availability and terms. Exhibit booths cost US$995 for a 10’x 10’booth (110VAC electrical hookup provided). Each exhibit will include the registration cost for two representative of your company. Attached are the contract and floor plan. Area 4 is where the sessions will take place.

Hotel space for the conference has been reserved at Wild Horse Pass Resort . Opening October 2002, this authentic 500-room resort will feature a two and one-half mile long river meandering throughout the resort that will be used to transport guests to the Whirlwind Golf Club House and nearby Wild Horse Pass Casino. This destination resort will include two 18-hole Troon managed golf courses, a 17,000 square foot spa with 16 treatment rooms, tennis courts, jogging trails, and an equestrian center for riding lessons, trail rides and outdoor events. Conveniently located just 11.5 miles from the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on the Gila River Indian Community.

To make a reservation by phone, call 800-325-3535 or Phone (602) 225-0100 and ask for the HYPACK conference rate. ($107/night). Hotel information:

Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort and Spa - http://www.wildhorsepass.com, 5594 West Wild Horse Pass Boulevard, P.O. Box 94000 Phoenix, Arizona 85070-4000 Phone (602) 225-0100 Fax (602) 225-0300. For more information on the HYPACK 2003 conference, contact Lourdes R. Evans, Marketing & Sales Director, Coastal Oceanographics, Inc. 11-G Old Indian Trail. Middlefield, CT 06455 Tel: +860-349-3800 Fax: +860-349-1982 http://www.coastalo.com or e-mail: lourdes@coastalo.com

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Leica Geosystems announced the introduction of the 5th generation DISTO™ handheld laser distance measuring tools for the North American market. The new 5th generation DISTO products provide a powerful and handy measuring tool for surveyors and GIS professionals, offering new features never before available in a handheld laser distance measuring device at a new low price.

The 5th generation DISTO products are available in two models: DISTO Lite5 and DISTO Classic5. All of them offer the ability to measure distances from 0.2 to 200 meters (0.7 - 650 ft.) with an accuracy of 3mm (1/8 in.), using easy point-and-click functions. DISTO Lite5 is the entry-level 5th generation product. The compact lightweight unit has been designed with an ergonomic keypad and large clear backlit display, making it very easy to learn and use. The unit includes a built-in leveling bubble and alignment aid to mark measured points.

DISTO Classic5 is the performance model of the 5th generation line. It includes a built-in 2x telescopic viewer for easier spotting when taking long-distance measurements and a built-in leveling bubble for more precise horizontal measurements. The DISTO Classic5 has integrated calculator and indirect height and distance (Pythagoras) measurement functions. It stores the last 15 measured values plus up to 10 additional constants, such as ceiling heights, for faster measurements of areas and volumes. The multifunctional end piece facilitates measurements from flat surfaces and corners. The 5th generation DISTOs use two AA batteries, and provide up to 10,000 measurements on a single set of batteries.

Contact Jack Wolf, Leica Geosystems Tel: +1 770.447.6331 or e-mail: jack.wolf@leica-lsg.com or visit their website at http://www.leica-geosystems.com

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