Global Marine Systems has expanded its subsea installation capabilities with the acquisition of a powerful jet trenching remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV). Complementing the company’s existing burial equipment, the new submersible and is designed for pre and post-lay trenching as well as simultaneous lay and burial in the offshore subsea cable sectors.
The new addition is the Q1000 Jet Trencher, whose modular design allows it to be easily mobilised onto vessels. With 1000hp of total installed and variable jetting power, the ROV is suitable for trenching pipelines, umbilicals and cables to a burial depth of 3m at a speed of up to 400m per hour.
Operationally rated to a depth of 1000m, the Q1000 is easily configured for use with either tracks or skids to suit the application and can be deployed for trenching operations on all seabed conditions, from fine sand to firm clay. Its state-of-the-art cable detection and tracking system results in time-saving, precision burial. In addition, the jet trencher is able to handle products up to 500mm in diameter, increasing the scope of work that Global Marine is able to undertake.
The high specifications of the Q1000 Jet Trencher will enable the submersible to operate globally in extreme environments and in challenging weather conditions. For this purpose, it has heavy latch beam Launch and Recovery Systems (LARS) designed for Sea State 6.
"As a company we constantly seek to find ways to enhance our services, and to provide engineered solutions that meet customers' demands and deliver these with versatility, innovation and accuracy," said Bruce Neilson-Watts, director strategy and operations. "It is an approach that has allowed Global Marine to successfully operate in multiple business sectors, even in the present economic climate. The acquisition of the Q1000, is a good example of our continued commitment to providing exceptional subsea engineering services globally."