By Yang Jin-young, Reporter at The Electric Times | Published: April 27, 2023, 4:10 PM
Dynamic Positioning for Unmatched Precision — Up to 15 Days of Continuous Exploration
Highest Accuracy for Offshore Wind Development Garners Industry Interest
The GeoView DP-1, South Korea’s first private subsea exploration vessel equipped with dynamic positioning technology, departed from Pier 1 of Busan Port on the rainy morning of April 25.
What might seem like a routine vessel launch drew attention from leading global and domestic companies in offshore wind energy, such as Ørsted, COP, Equinor, Northland Power, LS Cable & System, Bada Energy, Korea South-East Power, and KT Submarine. Their attendance underscored the significance of the vessel’s capabilities.
Aboard the vessel, in the survey room, one could explore the advanced technologies that define the GeoView DP-1‘s prowess in subsea exploration.
Core Technology: Precision at its Best
The GeoView DP-1 is equipped with state-of-the-art exploration tools, including:
- Multi-Beam Echo Sounder (MBES): A hull-mounted system, considered the most accurate among various MBES technologies. It can map seafloor topography, sediment distribution, and underwater objects to depths of 3,600 meters.
- Sonar: Utilizing dual frequencies (100kHz and 400kHz), this system complements MBES by creating detailed images of seafloor features and capturing small obstacles such as debris and pipelines that MBES may miss.
- Magnetometer: Detects anomalies in magnetic fields to identify the presence of objects such as buried debris.
- High-Frequency and Low-Frequency Sub-Bottom Profilers: These systems provide detailed information on sub-seafloor geology. While the high-frequency profiler offers better resolution for depths up to 6,000 meters, the low-frequency profiler penetrates deeper with lower resolution.
These systems work in tandem to produce comprehensive and accurate survey results, achieving the vessel’s goal of minimizing errors in subsea exploration.
Dynamic Positioning (DP): The Vessel’s Highlight
The vessel’s namesake technology, Dynamic Positioning (DP), is a cutting-edge system that uses thrusters and propellers to automatically maintain the vessel’s position and heading.
“Maintaining precise positioning is critical for subsea surveys. The DP system allows the GeoView DP-1 to keep its course with unmatched accuracy,” explained a GeoView representative.
Optimized for Continuous Operations
The vessel accommodates up to 30 personnel, including 12-16 surveyors and the crew. It is designed for up to 15 days of continuous, 24-hour operations — a timeframe set to optimize supply logistics and minimize data discrepancies caused by environmental changes.
“Seafloor conditions can vary over time,” said a GeoView official. “Conducting surveys over a longer, uninterrupted period ensures consistency and reduces errors.”
Seasonal Precision and Technological Edge
Spring and autumn are considered the ideal seasons for subsea exploration in South Korea due to minimal temperature fluctuations between day and night, ensuring more precise acoustic surveys.
“Most marine survey equipment relies on sound waves, which are highly sensitive to changes in water temperature,” the official explained.
A Leap for Offshore Wind Development
The GeoView DP-1 has sparked significant interest from the offshore wind industry, as precise subsea surveys are essential for the successful construction of wind farms. Its capabilities promise to advance offshore wind projects, solidifying South Korea’s position in the global renewable energy sector.
Source: The Electric Times (https://www.electimes.com)
