Subsea 7 has taken delivery of a consignment of acoustic release transponders and accompanying heavy duty release frames from Sonardyne International Ltd.
The Oceanographic Release Transponders (ORTs) will be used, up to 17 at a time, to assist with the installation of 20 structures being lowered to the seabed via an offshore construction vessel. Once these are landed, the ORTs will be acoustically commanded to ‘open’ and detach the lifting slings from their load.
Recognised for their reliability, durability and long operating range, ORTs are in service with many scientific, defence and commercial organisations that rely upon them for the deployment and recovery of equipment. The acoustic releases ordered by Subsea 7 are depth rated to 2,000 metres and suitable for a wide range of instrument mooring and remote release applications.
“ Fitting a Heavy Duty Release Frame significantly increases the safe working load of an ORT so that heavy loads encountered within offshore construction, salvage and oceanography can be supported,” said Paul Griffiths , Sales Manager at Sonardyne.
“The ORTs are then controlled from the surface using a Lightweight Command Unit (LCU). For security of operation, a special coding system provides protection against accidental release by noise or acoustic transmissions from other equipment. Each ORT has its own unique ‘address’, enabling a number of units to be deployed in the same area without risk of interference.”