Tritech has expanded its industry-standard sonar range with a key renewables device by launching its Gemini SeaTec Mammal Detection System, providing a valuable tool in the detection of marine life around subsea turbines.

Tritech's subsea sonars have been deployed on marine current structures since 2008 when the company made its first step into the offshore renewables sector. Tritech has now developed its real-time multibeam imaging sonar technology for this market. The Gemini SeaTec system uses Tritech's industry standard Gemini 720id multibeam sonar and its bespoke image detection software. This innovative software subsequently provides an early warning of the presence of sea mammals in the vicinity of marine current turbine structures. The Gemini SeaTec provides real-time monitoring of marine wildlife, allowing the operator to take corrective action as required. The logged data can be stored for analysis and used for environmental assessment as part of the current turbine development process.

The Gemini SeaTech is currently installed on SeaGen, a tidal turbine, in Strangford Lough, County Down, Northern Ireland. Tritech has worked closely with the commercial arm of the Sea Mammal Research Unit (SMRU Ltd) at St. Andrews University and tidal energy company Marine Current Turbines (MCT) to help develop the Gemini SeaTec system. Dr Gordon Hastie, at SMRU Ltd, comments: "As part of our continuing role providing research and advice to the tidal stream energy industry, we have been monitoring data produced using Tritech's sonar systems and in the last 3 years they have played a very important role in protecting marine mammals from any potential threats. We are currently investigating the next generation of marine mammal detection sonar technology using Tritech's advanced multibeam techniques and we hope that these will allow operators to monitor and mitigate potential threats to marine mammals far more efficiently than was possible in the past. These automated sonar tools are likely be essential for the continued protection of marine life during current turbine developments."

Tritech International is an industry leader in the production of high performance acoustic sensors, video cameras and mechanical tooling equipment for professional underwater markets. The company is based in Aberdeen in the UK and has a worldwide network of distributors. Tritech is a subsidiary company of Halma p.l.c. Contact: Mr Santosh Sen, Halma India, Mumbai. Tel: 022-67080400. Mobile: 098202-47680. Fax: 91-22-67080415. Email: santosh.sen@halma.com