News

The Ø𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘌𝘹𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘳 will be controlled from an onshore remote operations centre, alongside a Spectrum team who will deliver high-resolution mapping of seafloor depths and morphology to support the installation phase of Hornsea 3’s foundations.

The project has attracted media interest, with Senior Surveyor Daniel Plewman briefing the BBC on the quayside shortly after the vessel launch.

Project Manager Adam Franks has been leading the mobilisation of the primary sensor - a KONGSBERG EM 2042 multibeam echosounder - on what he describes as “a novel and exciting project, demonstrating the progression and scalability of uncrewed survey solutions and remote operations.”

Through the construction phase, Spectrum will continue to control data acquisition from our own remote operations centre in Lymington, Hampshire.

Equipped with NORBIT Subsea 's i77 MBES with integrated Trimble Applanix GNSS/INS, our teams collected IHO Special Order standard data with improved efficiency and reduced risk - a great example of how innovative autonomous solutions and sensor integration can transform nearshore survey operations.

Thanks to our team and partners at Environmental Sensing at the University of Southampton (ES@S) for their expertise in making this mission a success - we look forward to putting this exciting survey platform to work on future projects.

This project showcases the power of combining innovative airborne technology with traditional marine operations. Following rigorous preparation and flight testing, we completed the mission over three times faster than our conventional towed floating frame method, MAGcat® - all while maintaining the highest safety and data standards.

A major highlight was the introduction of Post-Processed Kinematic (PPK) positioning capability to the system. This is a technique that improves GPS accuracy by correcting data after the flight, allowing us to achieve centimetre-level accuracy, even in remote offshore conditions where live corrections are often unreliable. The result? Highly precise data, better target confidence, and more efficient operations - all without the need for real-time corrections.

This deployment has quite literally expanded the operational horizon for AeroMAG® UAMS, proving it to be a reliable and scalable solution for surveying areas where traditional marine methods face limitations.

A huge thanks to our client and their UXO consultant for embracing this unique approach, and to Nexus UAS for providing top-tier training and support — helping our pilots reach new heights.

Located on the Beaulieu River in the New Forest, Buckler’s Hard is renowned for building many of the Royal Navy’s 18th-century ships of the line, including several that fought at the Battle of Trafalgar alongside HMS Victory. Some were even said to be favourites of Admiral Lord Nelson.

This project marks the first time the site has been mapped using high-resolution remote sensing technologies in parallel with live archaeological excavations. By deploying a combination of multibeam sonar, high-resolution UAV LiDAR, and Spectrum’s proprietary AeroMAG® Unmanned Aerial Magnetometer System, we are contributing to the creation of a unified, high-resolution 3D reconstruction of the historic shipyard and its surrounding environment.

This initiative not only advances understanding of Buckler’s Hard’s archaeological and historical significance but also highlights a rare and valuable collaboration between academia and the offshore industry.

It also showcases the breadth of Spectrum’s expertise — spanning from commercial offshore and infrastructure surveys to scientific research in maritime archaeology and geotechnical innovation. We’re proud to be at the forefront of applying industry-leading technology to help reveal and preserve the UK’s maritime heritage.

Read more about the slipway’s uncovering in the BBC article:  https://lnkd.in/d_3NUfK3

Both discovered Spectrum through university careers fairs and LinkedIn, and we’re thrilled to have them on board. We’re looking forward to supporting their growth and seeing the impact they’ll make during their time with us!

Whether it’s ensuring cables are buried, checking for scour around foundations, or validating safe access for crew transfer vessels, this data plays a key role in keeping turbines spinning and energy flowing.

Regular O&M monitoring surveys are key to extending the life cycle of these critical assets. This all starts with an accurate, timely insight below the water - one ping at a time. 

Since then, we’ve called a variety of places ‘storage’, including a local self-store locker room and even the freezer of an old ice cream factory. (Unfortunately, no ice cream was left behind.)

Now, we’ve levelled. We’ve recently moved into a larger facility that gives us space for growth. It’s got storage space for all the essential survey kit, the spares, and even the slightly more unusual items we’ve picked up along the way - looking at you, lobster pot.

?? We also have plenty of workshop space for equipment development, testing and organising before it heads out onto projects.??

Plus, we’ve added some real lifting power to the team - say hello to ForkyMcForkFace - our new electric counterbalance forklift truck.

A small milestone for us, but one we’re proud of, and one that puts us in a stronger position to support the work we love doing.

This example highlights a mix of magnetic anomalies from subtle geological features to buried utilities and buried ferrous objects that may be flagged for further investigation.

The 30+ hectare site was surveyed over two days at a speed of 6 m/s, 1 metre off the ground.

This dataset complements the success of our ongoing development to support high-quality magnetic mapping for UXO detection and archaeological applications which can be acquired quickly and efficiently by our capable team.

We’re looking forward to discussing these capabilities further with those interested in modern magnetometer survey solutions.

Using advanced technology, we map the seabed with precision, identifying potential risks and optimising foundation placement for turbines and infrastructure. From site selection to construction support, we deliver the insights that power the future of renewable energy. Let’s build a more sustainable world—starting from the seafloor up! 

At Spectrum Offshore, our survey vessels and survey teams provide geophysical data for safe and efficient wind farm development. From seabed mapping to infrastructure inspections.

Offshore wind doesn’t stand alone—it’s backed by the expertise and hard work of those who map, monitor, and maintain it. 

Placement roles available:
✅ Geophysicist
✅ Hydrographic Surveyor

Who we’re looking for:
📢 Hydrography, Marine Geography, Geology, Geophysics, or Marine/Earth Science Students.
📢 Someone with a passion for marine surveying & data analysis

Apply Now!
📧 Send your CV & cover letter to cv@spectrum-offshore.com
Know someone who’d be a great fit? Tag them below!