Chelsea sensors to be fitted to French ferry to progress WaveSentry sea-state forecasting

Chelsea Technologies sensors to be fitted to French ferry to progress WaveSentry sea-state forecasting project Novel sensors, provided by the Chelsea Technologies Group are to be fitted to a cross-channel ferry to collect vessel motion data as part of the WaveSentry project which is being managed by Marine South East.

This motion data will be processed to derive certain indirect sea-state measurements which will be merged with a range of other data feeds within the WaveSentry sea-state measurement and forecasting system.

Chelsea Technologies Group are specialists in the production of a range of innovative sensors & systems for use in the oceanographic environment.

As part of the WaveSentry project the sensor box, provided by Chelsea Technologies, will be fitted to a Transmanche ferry, the Seven Sisters, which crosses the channel daily. The data collected from the ship will be relayed to the shore and analysed using software from WaveSentry collaborators, QinetiQ to infer the sea state from the ships motion throughout the crossing.

The data collected will be logged against the GPS position of the ship and will be merged with additional data streams by HR Wallingford, to enable much more accurate ‘nowcasting’ and forecasting of sea state including wave height, period, direction and steepness.

This information should greatly assist the many marine operations (such as shipping companies, offshore oil platforms and renewable energy projects) who are dependent on high quality information on sea-state for both economic and safety decision making. Sea-state information currently available, is based only on atmospheric/ocean models and lacks sufficient temporal and spatial resolution.

The real-time ship data being collected by the Chelsea Technologies sensor on the Transmanche ferry should substantially enhance the data sources available to give more accurate sea-state predictions to multiple end-users.

The sensor box fitted to the Seven Sisters ferry and will collect data for a period of around a year.

WaveSentry was conceived and developed through Marine South East’s MEREX Knowledge Network and has secured co-funding from the Technology Strategy Board. The aim of the project is to develop a new information and forecasting tool for managing the risks of marine operations in adverse sea states.

Businesses and organisations can participate in the project through the WaveSentry Knowledge Network which aims to identify and exploit new technological solutions and market opportunities.

For more information please go to www.groupspaces.com/wavesentrykn/join

To speak to the WaveSentry Project Manager please contact Simon Powell on 02380 111 592 or simon@marinesoutheast.co.uk

For more information on Chelsea Technologies sensors and equipment please contact Ellen Keegan,  Tel +44 (0)20 8481 9019.

What do you think of our new advert?   It will be featured in December edition of European Oil and Gas.

Chelsea Tecnologies Group supplies robust water quality sensor systems for monitoring hydrocarbons, turbidity & pH for use in exhaust gas cleaning systems. We have recently supplied Hamworthy Krystallon with sensor systems to monitor their exhaust gas cleaning system as part of the Messina shipbuilding programme.

Each system comprises sensor cabinets monitoring the seawater intake and out-take so comparison data can be used to determine that the cleaning systems operate within acceptable emissions limits. Each cabinet monitors polyaromatic hydrocarbon levels, turbidity, temperature and pH and incorporates a flow switch. Data from the sensors is relayed to a main control system via an Ethernet connection.   Chelsea’s new low cost UviLux hydrocarbon sensor has been re-configured for the specific requirements for both the PAH and turbidity measurements.

The work we are doing with Hamworthy Krystallon expands Chelsea’s existing capability in the supply of in-line monitoring systems to the maritime sector. This is a natural extension to our business supplying FerryBox environmental systems for commercial vessels and ships of opportunity.

For more information or to discuss your particular application, please contact Ellen Keegan, Communications Manager, Chelsea Technologies Group, Tel +44 (0)20 8481 9019.

Security of water assets is becoming an increasingly major issue that demands immediate and robust alarms for potential contamination.  In addition to this, natural growth of algae is an increasingly common problem for water asset managers, the results of which can increase maintenance costs of water processing plants as well as directly effecting water taste.

Data obtained from the FASTflow can address both these issues within the one sensor.  By probing the efficiency of photosynthesis of the algae, signals can be obtained that directly relate to growth potential and also provide indications of damage to the algae by contaminants effecting the photosynthetic process.  The Fast Repetition Rate fluorimetry (FRRf) technique used allows accurate measurements to be made even whilst the sample is moving past the sensor head. Early warning of algae growth, potentially resulting in a bloom, allows the asset manager to assess options on how to minimise subsequent impact to a processing plant.

For more information please visit

Chelsea's oil spill sensors are now available for immediate delivery

Due to the unprecedented demand for its hydrocarbon sensors, Chelsea Technologies has increased production to ensure products are available for immediate delivery.

Chelsea’s range of in situ fluorimeters have been used in the offshore industry for many years. Originally developed for military applications the UV AQUAtracka remains unique in its ability to detect very low levels of hydrocarbons to depths of 6000 metres. Many operators are selecting the UV AQUAtracka as the UV fluorimeter of choice for in situ hydrocarbon measurements. The newly released UviLux is designed for shallower depths (600 metres) but maintains high performance levels of detection. Both instruments are capable of detecting crude and refined oils in the marine and freshwater environment and are in use worldwide.

A large batch of instruments was mobilized in response to the Macondo incident in the Gulf of Mexico. One year on they are still in regular use monitoring the dispersion of the oil and the effect it is having on the marine environment.
The recent development at Shell’s Gannet Alpha Oil Platform in the North Sea illustrates the importance of having oil spill monitoring equipment ready for use at short notice. Chelsea can mobilize oil spill and pipeline leak detection equipment very quickly with delivery to the incident site within hours.

To learn more about our range of sensors please visit http://www.chelsea.co.uk/HydrocarbonDetector.htm or contact Ellen Keegan, Communications Manager, Email: ekeegan@chelsea.co.uk, Tel: 020 8481 9019, www.chelsea.co.uk.

The advert will appear in next month's special edition of Water & Waste Water magazine. The magazine will focus on the forthcoming SWIG Sensing in Water 2011 Conference. If you're free why dont you come along. You'll have the chance to hear our Justin Dunning present on "Water Intake Protection using the Chelsea FASTflow fluorimeter"

The FAST^flow fluorimeter is the successor to the successful FAST^tracka II, which had demonstrated detection of a wide range of potential contaminants, and had successfully confirmed its ability to detect contaminated water in the field.

The FAST^tracka II and FAST^flow fluorimeters both operate by utilizing active chlorophyll a fluorescence from water-borne algae (Fast Repetition Rate fluorescence, FRRf), which provides a non-destructive and minimally intrusive method of probing oxygenic photosynthesis. Information from these instruments can provide immediate detection of a wide range of contaminants that attack the photosynthetic process. Of equal relevance is the information gained on the ‘health’ of the algae present, and its growth potential, which can provide early notification of onset of an algae bloom.

A key benefit of the FRRf technique is its rapidity in taking these readings, which occur in orders of microseconds, which allow robust measurements of photosynthetic ability in flowing water systems.

Justin’s presentation will focus on the FAST^flow fluorimeter, which offers three channels of differing wavelengths (as opposed to the single chlorophyll a channel of the FAST^tracka II). The operation of all three channels within the FAST^flow instrument, together with the new FAST^pro 3 software, provides improved estimates of primary productivity. The FAST^flow also provides complete flexibility of control of individual channels allowing interrogation of different algae groups within the sample, i.e. green algae, blue-green algae, diatoms.

If you need more information, please ring Ellen Keegan on +44(0)20 8 481 9019 or email ekeegan@chelsea.co.uk

Register to attend the Sensing in Water 2011 Conference,  21 & 22 September, The Nottingham Belfry Hotel

Download conference programme - just released

The factors (physical, chemical and climatic) that lead to blue-green algal growth are complex and although most follow a predictable annual cycle, rapid algal growth can happen at any time. Continuous monitoring is key to early detection of harmful algal blooms. Blue-green algae can pose a serious threat to water quality, ecosystem stability, surface drinking water supplies, and public health through toxin production. Chelsea has worked with several water & process control companies to provide sensors for the early detection of algal growth. Our highly sensitive systems can monitor water supplies in real-time either for online applications and in situ measurements. Learn more.