Marine-i and Feritech to develop geotechnical AUV

Based in Falmouth, Cornwall, marine engineering specialist Feritech carries out geotechnical survey work for the marine industry using equipment designed and operated by its own team. Marine tech start-up Marine-i, part funded by the European Regional Development fund, aims to support the marine tech sector in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly through research, development and innovation.

Rob Ferris, managing director of Feritech, explained that detailed subsea surveys are required in challenging sea conditions for offshore assets such as the floating offshore wind sector. 

“Offshore operators worldwide are continually looking for ways to reduce the risks and costs associated with geotechnical sampling operations,” he said. “If successful, this innovation would also have a powerful ripple effect on the local supply chain, because Feritech’s goal is to have as many of the components as possible manufactured in the UK.”

While using autonomous vessels to carry out geophysical survey work is gaining traction, Marine-i programme director Professor Lars Johanning explained that to date, deep water AUVs have mainly been small inspection vehicles focused on geophysical data gathering.