A division of Teledyne Marine, Teledyne RD Instruments (RDI) has been selected by marine engineering consultancy Deep Reach Technology (DRT) to supply 20 of its advanced Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCPs) in support of a landmark deep-sea Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) project within Japan’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
The project centers on assessing the environmental effects of critical mineral exploration activities on the seabed. Deployment of Teledyne’s ADCPs, overseen by DRT, is being managed by CSA Ocean Sciences Inc., with installation carried out by CSA from the vessel Anuanua Moana, owned by Kiva Marine.
Operating as in situ monitoring instruments, the ADCPs will collect essential data on current direction, turbulence, and sediment plume transport. Mounted on deep-sea moorings, they will measure conditions throughout the entire water column, providing continuous data over extended durations.
The project will use the following Teledyne ADCPs:
- 13 Workhorse II 300 khz 6000m depth rated ADCPs
- 3 Workhorse II 600 khz 6000m depth rated ADCPs
- 2 Workhorse Long Ranger 75khz 1500m depth rated ADCPs
- 2 Workhorse Long Ranger 75khz 3000m depth rated ADCPs
Based on the proven electronics of Workhorse, Teledyne RDI’s flagship product line, the Workhorse II extends the capabilities of this platform, while the Long Ranger offers long-range, self-contained ADCPs.
Teledyne RDI ADCPs are made in the USA under ISO 9001 Certification, with each instrument individually handcrafted and rigorously tested prior to deployment. Designed to perform in challenging ocean environments and with over 50,000 units deployed worldwide over the past 40 years, RDI’s Workhorse ADCPs are proven to deliver reliable performance at extreme depths while providing high‑quality data for long‑term moorings and multi‑month deployments
Paul Devine, Subject Matter Expert at Teledyne RDI, commented, “Before deep-sea mining can move forward, international regulations demand proof that operations won’t harm marine ecosystems. Our ADCP technology provides the high-resolution current and sediment transport data essential for responsible resource development – even in the most challenging environments.”
Frank Johnson, VP of Marine Operations at CSA Ocean Sciences, said, “With decades of collaboration behind us, CSA and Teledyne RDI have advanced side by side. CSA has long depended on RDI’s 24/7 service – sensor selection, setup guidance, and urgent field support, including middle of the night calls – giving CSA the confidence to execute highly reliable deployments even in the harshest deepwater environments.”
Hans Smit, CEO and President, Ocean Minerals, added, “Besides deploying Teledyne RDI ADCPs for the environmental monitoring project in Japan from our vessel Anuanua Moana, Kiva Marine – as part of Ocean Minerals and sister company to Moana Minerals – has recently acquired more Teledyne RDI ADCPs (Workhorse Long Ranger 75khz) for mooring recovery and redeployment activities in the Cook Islands. The proven reliability of Teledyne RDI instruments, combined with strong technical support, makes them a trusted partner for our deepwater operations.”
The International Seabed Authority (ISA) and regulators recommend contractors collect at least three years of oceanographic data before mining approval. By delivering high-resolution measurements from multiple depths over extended periods, Teledyne ADCPs are helping Deep Reach Technology and this emerging sector meet and exceed international standards.
