Jan De Nul has joined forces with imaging technology outfit Seiche to start trials for the development of an automated marine mammal detection system on board its vessels.
As part of the trial Seiche’s visual and thermal cameras have been installed on board the vessel Adhemar de Saint-Venant working on the Hollandse Kust (noord) and (west Alpha) projects in the Netherlands.
A collaboration agreement to start this innovative pilot project with Seiche’s new second-generation HD thermal cameras was signed in May 2021.
The first camera trials will be used to optimise the AI software for future use on projects.
Based in the UK, Seiche specialises in the design, development and manufacture of underwater measurement and acoustic systems together with advanced visual detection systems.
As part of an internal Innovation Challenge at Jan De Nul Group, four Jan De Nul employees proposed the idea to use this innovative technology during marine offshore operations and initiated the pilot.
A team from Jan De Nul and Seiche travelled to Zeebrugge earlier this week and installed the detection system on board.
The combined visual and thermal cameras, secured to high points on the vessel for an increased visual reach, will be fully tested over the coming two months.
This trial will allow Seiche to collect the necessary data for testing and fine-tuning the AI capacity of the automated detection function and the visual distances these cameras can cover.
This test will be a first step towards the fully automated detection of marine mammals, thereby setting a new standard for all dredging and offshore construction projects worldwide.
The aim is to increase the level of protection of marine mammals and to reduce safety risks, costs and impact upon the environment.