In 2020, we unveiled SMD Deep Dig-It. As the name suggests, this world-class tracked trenching vehicle combines power with precision to achieve true 5m burial depths. It became another of our world firsts as the deepest burial tracked trencher in the offshore wind market.
SMD Deep Dig-It drives unmanned over the seabed, creates a trench up to 5.8m in depth, and safely lays a subsea cable into it. It has become a key asset for our client in the offshore renewable installation and burial market, and has established a strong track record across Europe and Asia for powering the clean energy transition.
BUILT FOR THE CHALLENGE
As offshore wind farms move into more congested seabed areas, cable routes become increasingly challenging and often involve navigating complex seabed conditions. The demand for a deep trenching tool capable of safeguarding these assets has never been greater. SMD Deep Dig-It was engineered to meet this challenge head-on.
This remotely operated trenching vehicle cuts, lays, and backfills cables in a single pass. With 2400hp of power and a 5.8m jetting and cutting tool, SMD Deep Dig-It delivers precise trench geometry and consistent burial depths across several seabed types.
To support this performance, the vehicle contains surface-located water pumps that work in unison with subsea power units to feed the jetting and cutting tools. This ensures efficient trenching in dense or compacted sediments and results in a smooth burial process with reduced drag and improved trench stability.
POWERED BY PRECISION
Drawing on decades of subsea engineering experience, SMD Deep Dig-it was designed with precision trenching at its core. Advanced control and monitoring systems enable operators to manage trench depth, vehicle speed, and tooling performance in real time, ensuring reliable results across varied seabed types.
An example of this advanced control is the smart depressor fitted to the tool, which provides precise feedback on power cable position, tension, and catenary as it is deployed into the trench.
ENGINEERED FOR THE FUTURE
SMD Deep Dig-It isn’t just a trencher; it’s the next step in subsea engineering, redefining how power cables are laid beneath the ocean. In the five years since its launch, it has earned itself the motto ‘bury and forget’, having become one of the most vital and reliable pieces of subsea technology on the market.
Could SMD Deep Dig-It be the next addition to your fleet? Find out more by contacting Key Account Manager, Rob Eddon.
