SMD

One of the main challenges that affect SMD and the wave and tidal industry as a whole are the installation of multiple units in short tidal and weather windows. The difficulties in operating in a harsh marine environment, where weather and tidal restrictions limit installation activities, is not to be underestimated. Reducing installation times and avoiding the need for diving activities is a key objective to successful and economical operations.

SMD is continuing to apply its experience to develop the required remotely operated, enabling technologies to help deploy marine energy devices, through building wider collaborative agreements with device developers, installation and support contractors.

One such concept SMD is working to develop with a collaboration partner is a tractor mounted drilling rig providing shorter installation times and freedom of marine operations for the parent vessel in higher current conditions, through reduced line interface between tractor and parent surface vessel.

In previous years, SMD has already achieved considerable success in evolving proven cable burial technology for the offshore wind industry. Providing the novel seabed tractor (LBT1) for MPI utilised for inter array cable installation at the North Hoyle, Scroby Sands, Barrow, Lyne & Inner Dowsing offshore wind farms, and also the HD cable plough  for Oceanteam.