The technology group Wärtsilä successfully completed sea trials of its SceneScan system, the world’s first ‘targetless’ dynamic positioning (DP) laser sensor. This technology requires no reflector target to be deployed, increasing both safety and operational uptime.
Specifically, the technology has been developed by Guidance Marine, a Wärtsilä company.
The sea trials were conducted onboard the Topaz Citadel, a vessel owned by Topaz Energy and Marine, a leading international offshore support vessel company.
The SceneScan was connected to a Wärtsilä DP system, with which the vessel was already fitted.
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Wärtsilä describes the SceneScan system as a high accuracy rotating laser sensor that provides positional information to allow automated approach and/or station keeping relative to a structure or vessel. It is designed to be straightforward to operate, and it provides tracking information relative to natural or man-made structures within the sensor field of view.
It tracks by matching its current observation of the scene against a map generated from previous observations of the scene.
Moreover, Topaz announced, after a 90-days trial, that it will adapt to the system, as already installed on the Topaz Citadel and that it will begin a phased roll-out to additional vessels. The initial order includes upgrading existing DP sensor systems onboard four of the company’s vessels.
Andrew Stead, Head of Business Development, Guidance Marine, reported that the positive results of the trial provide additional evidence of its efficiency and accuracy.
