Category: News and Notes

After losing their first AUV, the Falklands Maritime Heritage Trust (FMHT) launched a second quest for Shackleton’s Endurance using a “wired” AUV. The vehicle was tethered to their research vessel, equipped with sidescan and multibeam sonars, as well as laser scanning and a 3D photogrammetry system.

The Endurance sank on 21 November 1915, after being trapped in thick sea ice in January 1915 and gradually crushed by shifting sea ice. Shackleton and his crew survived an epic 1,300km voyage trek across the ice in small wooden lifeboats.

Endurance was found at a depth of 3,000m (10,000ft) in March 2022

Full article with photos and video at: Hydro International 20mar25 and BBC.com 09mar2022

Autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) are being used to monitor and provide data on offshore artificial reefs that are intended to attract marine life in otherwise barren sections of the Mediterranean Sea off Cyprus.

The AUVs are equipped with sensors and high-definition cameras to give scientists at the Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute a clear picture on the effectiveness of the artificial reefs they designed and built using 3D printing.

Full article at: MSN.com

Researchers at James Cook University and the Schmidt Ocean Institute found a towering reef rising from the ocean floor to within 40m of the surface. This reef stands out for its size (500m in height), which is taller than the Empire State Building (381m to the highest occupied floor) and also for its unique topography.

Video at: Schmidt Ocean YouTube

Full article at: DailyGalaxy 12feb25

For our USA customers, the US administration has kept the baseline 10% tariff (effective 09 April 2025) on most goods imported from Australia to the USA.

However, the US will suspend the exemption for low-value goods (less than $800USD) effective 29 August 2025.

This change will impact UnderseaROV products, like the battery switch kit, so you might want to get your orders before the end of this month.

Schmidt Ocean Institute is currently live-streaming off the coast of Argentina until the 10th of August. So far, viewers have been enthralled with specimens near the city of Mar del Plata that resemble characters from SpongeBob SquarePants:

Is it Patrick Star?

Live streams from this expedition can be seen on the Schimdt Ocean Youtube channel