A training for the São Francisco do Sul Pilots Association

Last month, I had the opportunity to conduct a training for the São Francisco do Sul Pilots Association about the operation of the ChannelPilot, a PPU (Pilot Portable Unit) made by Navicom Dynamics.

The ChannelPilot is used to help the Pilot’s maneuver, showing information about position, heading, course, rate of turn, and AIS targets in a notebook or tablet equipped with a specific navigation software. This allow an easy visualization of the ship during the maneuver, as well as the distance and the approaching speed to the pier.

The training involved the PPU’s installation procedure on bord and its use together with the navigation software used by São Francisco do Sul Pilots Association. In the occasion, it was presented, in details, the many navigation software configuration menus, in order to maximize its using by the Pilot.

For further information about training and Navicom Dynamics PPU supply, please, contact us by the phone (+55 21) 99205-6039 or by the mail sergio.jordao@defensea.com.br.

The first Rio International Defense Exhibition (RIDEX) ended on June 29, and DefenSea Consultoria had the opportunity to receive a visit from several authorities working in Defense area, including the Admiral of the Fleet Leal Ferreira, Commander of the Brazilian Navy.

During the exhibition, DefenSea Consultoria could inform visitors of its participation in the international competition for the construction of 4 (four) corvettes of the Tamandaré class, advising the Turkish company STM mainly in the area of logistics and seeking Brazilian companies interested in providing products and services for this essential Brazilian Navy project.

Since its foundation in 2012, DefenSea Consultoria aims to connect international and national companies, forming partnerships for the development of projects in the areas of defense, mainly naval, and maritime activities, that will benefit all involved, with the implementation of innovative technological solutions for Brazil.

Indeed, the involvement of Brazilian companies in this project will strengthen the country’s naval industry, creating a lot of jobs, mainly in the state of Rio de Janeiro, where is Brasfels shipyard, one of STM’s partner, that will build the ships. Brasfels is based in the city of Angra dos Reis, in the area of extinct Verolme shipyard. Inhaúma class corvettes were made there and are still operating in the Brazilian Navy.

The authorities who visited DefenSea’s booth were able to know the characteristics of the proven Ada class corvette, which has been operating in the Turkish Navy since 2011 and served as a reference for the proposal presented by STM. Ships of this class have already successfully performed in several theaters of operation, including all Africa coastline, where they remained for about three consecutive months together with navies from other NATO countries.

The project, called BRASCOR by STM, has a hull with Stealth characteristics and incorporates equipment in state of the art, meeting all the requirements established by the Brazilian Navy.

DEFENSEA CONSULTORIA IS HIRED BY SAAB AB TO PROVIDE CONSULTING SERVICES IN MARITIME MONITORING PROJECTS IN BRAZIL

DefenSea Consultoria has signed an agreement with the Swedish company Saab AB to provide consulting and development of maritime monitoring projects in Brazil.

The signing of the agreement, carried out at the end of January this year, was preceded by a long process of compliance and evaluation of the technical capacity and expertise of DefenSea Consultoria to support that great and renowned Swedish company in the implementation of its advanced maritime traffic monitoring systems in Brazil.

In addition to maritime monitoring, the Saab group operates in several areas, such as aeronautics; combat systems; surveillance systems; and shipbuilding, among others. Currently, its most visible face in Brazil is the supply of modern Gripen fighter aircraft to the Brazilian Air Force.

Saab AB Maritime Traffic Management delivers a wide range of integrated solutions to maritime users around the world. These solutions allow customers to:

- run efficient ports;

- manage safety and efficiency of traffic on waterways;

- protect the environment;

- support law enforcement by maritime and port authorities;

- perform underwater surveys; and

- perform precise navigation.

Saab AB has been developing and installing marine monitoring systems since 1985 and is recognized as a leading provider of marine safety products, ranging from small individual port solutions to national coastal surveillance networks. Saab pioneered maritime AIS (Automatic Information System) technology and has delivered more than 16,000 AIS transponders for ships and 1800 AIS base stations worldwide.

DEFENSEA CONSULTORIA IS INCLUDED IN THE LIST OF COMPANIES THAT PARTICIPATE IN THE TENDER FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF “TAMANDARÉ CLASS” SHIPS FOR THE BRAZILIAN NAVY

DefenSea Consultoria is in the companies list released by the Brazilian Navy that are officially participating in the public bidding for the construction of 4 (four) “Tamandaré Class” ships.

The company was founded in 2012 by retired officers of the Brazilian Navy, with more than 30 years’ experience in various sectors of military and maritime activities.

DefenSea Consultoria‘s main areas of expertise in Defense are: Area surveillance systems; high performance radar; mining countermeasures; encrypted AIS networks for military use; protection of sensitive installations; thematic mapping and operational oceanography; acoustic systems for surveillance and underwater communication; naval gun fire scoring system; logistics planning and life cycle management.

Since its foundation, DefenSea Consultoria has participated in several projects related to the Brazilian Navy, with emphasis on the Blue Amazon Management System (SISGAAz), an ambitious strategic maritime monitoring program, when the company advised one of the participating consortia bidding, working on the design of sensors and development of the integrated logistics support plan.

The list of companies participating in the project related to Corvettes Class Tamandaré was published in several specialized media, including http://www.defesanet.com.br/prosuper/noticia/28216/CLASSE-TAMANDARE-%E2%80%93-Diretoria-de-Gestao-de-Programas-publica-lista-das-empresas-que-retiraram-o-RFP/

DEFENSEA CONSULTORIA TAKES PART IN THE DONATION CEREMONY OF SAAB’S AIS TRANSPONDERS FOR THE BRAZILIAN NAVAL ACADEMY

DefenSea Consultoria attended the ceremony of delivering five (5) AIS class B transponders, model R4, from SAAB to the Naval Academy, Brazil’s oldest higher education institution, which forms Officials in the Brazilian Navy, held on December 1st, 2017.

The donation was an initiative of SAAB, which will allow the installation of navigation aid equipment in the Naval Academy sailing boats, thus contributing to the professional training of future officers of the Brazilian Navy.

DefenSea Consultoria worked actively throughout the process, providing the necessary contacts that resulted in the donation of equipment to the Brazilian Naval Academy.

In his speech, Rear Admiral Newton, Commander of the Brazilian Naval Academy, mentioned the importance of the event to the relationship and partnership of the institution with SAAB, which has contributed significantly to Brazil’s economic growth. Admiral Newton classified SAAB as a trustworthy partner, in keeping with the traditions of that secular education institution, and opened the possibility of pursuing partnership in other matters of interest to the Naval Academy.

In return, Mr. Fredrik Hillbom, Sales Manager of SAAB for Latin America, thanked for the opportunity to contribute with the Brazilian Navy and highlighted the possibility of participating in other projects. He delivered a plaque with the Term of Donation to the Brazilian Naval Academy.

The news about the ceremony was also posted on the website of the Brazilian Navy athttps://www.marinha.mil.br/noticias/gven-promove-cerimonia-para-receber-doacao-de-equipamentos-pela-saab

DefenSea Consultoria is the representative in Brazil of Polyamp, a Swedish company recognized worldwide for its energy conversion and advanced degaussing and deperming systems for ships and submarines.

As indicated by these photos, the companies set up a booth at the 1st International Congress of Mine Countermeasures (1st CICMM) held at the Naval War School, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil, from October 16th to 18th, 2017.

Visitors were able to see some projects completed or under development by Polyamp, with specific focus on the Congress theme, which begins to resume relevance in the face of the new surface vessels and submarines that will shortly be incorporated by the Brazilian Navy.

Among Polyamp’s products, we can highlight SWECADE©, underwater signature management software for magnetic, electrical, acoustic and pressure devices, also used to make predictions, coil modeling and training; the POLYSERA©, a system that allows the ship to have its own portable range for measuring signatures, giving it control of its own underwater signature; POEMS ©, a system designed for mine exercise, either autonomously or by remote control, simulating the various types of mines on the market; and fixed systems for updating or implantation of ranges with multi influence sensors of the magnetic, acoustic, electric, and pressure types; among other products and services, all used in several countries, including the United States of America.

Polyamp supplies its products to several major manufacturers of naval defense equipment, including the Swedish SAAB which, as highlighted during the 1st CICMM, presented a super-equipped Mine Countermeasures Vessel, similar to Koster class, an option for acquisition by the Brazilian Navy with excellent cost-benefit.

Polyamp systems are installed in more than 50 surface and submarine vessels in operation in several navies, including CVN-77, George H. W. Bush Nuclear Aircraft Carrier (USA).

The proven and cost-effective Polyamp products have raised a great deal of interest from officers, engineers and researchers from the Brazilian Navy who deal directly with mine countermeasures in the 2nd Naval District Command area, based in Salvador, State of Bahia.

In this way, representatives of Polyamp and DefenSea Consultoria were invited and visited the Magnetology Complex of the Naval Base of Aratu, subordinated to the 2nd Naval District Command, in order to evaluate and propose possible solutions for updating the sector.

DEFENSEA CONSULTORIA PRESENTS A FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR THE USE OF THE DYNAMIC CLEARANCE SYSTEM IN THE PORT OF SANTOS

OMC International, an Australian company represented in Brazil by DefenSea Consultoria, has produced a feasibility study for the use of the Dynamic Under Keel Clearance (DUKC) system in the Port of Santos, the largest in Latin America, which was presented to the public in the Port in July, 31st of this year.

DUKC is operating in 26 ports around the world, having performed more than 160 thousand ship crossings without any accident, proving that, in addition to allowing the adoption of larger drafts of operation and optimizing the dredging of access channels, the system substantially increases the safety of navigation.

It is important to highlight that the DUKC system can only operate in a port after a validation phase, in order to guarantee its use with maximum safety.

DUKC’s employment authorization in Brazilian ports is being evaluated by a technical committee of the Brazilian Navy, for which DefenSea Consultoria and OMC International also made a specific presentation.

The presentation of the study was carried out by Sergio Jordão, one of the partners of DefenSea Consultoria, with the presence of Dr Terry O’Brien, founder and Executive Director of OMC International, and Mr. Alex Oliva, President of CODESP of São Paulo), besides other important professionals who work in the national port segment.

As stated by CODESP, administrator of the Port of Santos, on the coast of São Paulo, deployment and start of operation of the DUKC system, which calculates the dynamic under keel clearance of the navigation channel in real time, will happen until the second half of 2019, if authorized by the Brazilian Navy, making possible that the Santos wharf can receive ships with greater draft, increasing substantially the productivity, competitiveness, and safety in the operations of that port facility.

A video of the presentation of the feasibility study of the DUKC system in the Port of Santos is in the article published in the G1 site here: https://g1.globo.com/sp/santos-regiao/porto-mar/noticia/2018/08/01/codesp-estuda-adotar-sistema-que-calcula-calado-em-tempo-real-no-porto-de-santos.ghtml

DEFENSEA CONSULTORIA WILL HAVE ITS OWN BOOTH AT LAAD 2017

According to the image above, DefenSea Consultoria will be present with its own booth at LAAD 2017, the largest exhibition of Defense and Security in Latin America, to be held at RioCentro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil in April, from 04th to 07th, 2017.

DefenSea´s booth will be the X46 inside Pavilion 2, the same one occupied by the Brazilian Navy Command.

Polyamp, a large Swedish company that recently came to be represented in Brazil by DefenSea Consultoria, and recognized worldwide for its energy conversion systems, as well as advanced degaussing and deperming for ships and submarines, will be sharing the space.

Visitors will be able to know about some projects carried out or under development by DefenSea Consultoria, considering the many national and foreign companies partners.

We can highlight: Wave Glider, an autonomous surface platform with great autonomy for use in several missions, including in anti-submarine warfare; Low-cost towed sonar system with high portability, used in smaller vessels; Naval Gun Fire Scoring system; Updating of analog sonars; Control systems for autonomous surface vessels; And vessel monitoring systems, among other products and services, all used in several countries.

Thus, DefenSea Consultoria invites everyone to pay a visit to booth X46, pavilion 2, during LAAD 2017.

DEFENSEA CONSULTORIA ATTENDED EXPONAVAL 2016 IN VIÑA DEL MAR, CHILE

DefenSea Consultoria was present at Exponaval 2016, in Viña del Mar – Chile, held from November 29th to December 2nd, 2016. The company was located at Brazilian booth under the coordination of ABIMDE (Brazilian Association of Defense Material Industries), with the support of APEX-Brasil (Brazilian Agency for the Promotion of Exports and Investments) and the Ministry of Defense.

This exhibition is considered one of the most significant for defense and maritime industry in the world. DefenSea Consultoria was able to present some interesting solutions for monitoring maritime traffic; unmanned vessels for civilian and military purposes, including for mining countermeasure operations; and acoustic sensors.

DefenSea Consultoria had opportunity to show products and services to many Latin American authorities, especially Admiral Enrique Larrañaga Martin, Commander-in-Chief of the Chilean Navy, who appears in the next photo talking to Sergio Jordão, representative of the company at this event.

The Chilean delegation, besides Admiral Larrañaga, was attended by Rear Admiral Otto Mrugalski Meiser, Director of Maritime Interests and Aquatic Environment, and Rear Admiral Mario Montejo Orellana, Director of Safety and Maritime Operations.

The Brazilian delegation was attended by Admiral Ilques, General Director of Personnel, and Vice-Admiral Guerreiro, Director of Department of Cataloging and Trade Promotion of the Ministry of Defense, among other authorities.

Authorities who attended the exhibition have shown special interest in unmanned vessels for environmental monitoring, as well as in the monitoring systems of vessels in VTS (Vessel Traffic Service) to be used at Chilean ports.

Some Chilean companies have expressed interest in establishing partnerships with DefenSea Consultoria, aiming at developing solutions that meet the expectations of the Latin American market in the defense and maritime industries.

DEFENSEA BECOMES REPRESENTATIVE OF SIEL ADVANCED SEA SYSTEMS IN BRAZIL

DefenSea Consultoria signed an agreement with SIEL Advanced Sea Systems, an Italian company, to act as its representative and sales agent of its products in Brazil.

SIEL Advanced Sea Systems brings more than fourty years of experience in the design and construction of electronics equipment for underwater defence, guidance and control of marine vehicles, telemetry and remote control systems.

The company provides custom industry and military solutions in land air and sea applications operating in severe environments with the utmost reliability and efficiency.

In july 2011 SIEL Advanced Sea Systems acquired the OMG Military and Professional Diving Equipment division, based in the city of La Spezia. This company produces several systems including “rebreathers” and communication equipment between divers and those with boats. OMG has a complete range of equipment purposely designed and developed for the Defense sector and performed with materials for unalterable performances in the time and highest reliability. Its catalogues includes: special underwater equipment developed for military use; tactical equipment for sea and land activities; and advanced solutions for shooting training. This company supplies the Special Units of the Armed Forces in Italy and of foreign countries, including USA.

Among its main products, is the UAPS 20 – Unmanned Autopilot System. This is a high-performance and low-cost system adaptable to any type of vessel. The system is modular and scalable for different payloads and mission profiles. It was designed for military use and has been installed in dozens of vessels. It offers robust operation capacity in shallow water and in confined spaces, such as in ports. The system allows simultaneous navigation up to a fleet of 15 unmanned boats. A company provides system integration with vessel’s equipments (sonar, GPS, etc.).

There is another interesting system known as ULISSE – Unmanned Lightweight Smart Sweeping Equipment that has the following concept of operation:

• Lightweight modular mine countermeasure system based on unmanned vehicles with organic sources.
• Organic equipments programmable for TSM and MSM sweeping modes and jamming mode.
• Formation navigation multiple USV to simulate the required ship length.
• Scalable configuration: 1 to 5 USV.
• High availability due to redundancy.

Another important product is the MCM Testing Range. It’s realistic training system for naval forces and Mine Countermeasures exercise and assessment. It provides real time multi influence signature data acquisition and remote control from Underwater Measurements Units. It allows precise tracking of up to 15 vessels in the range. It provides assessment of MCM assets (ships, drones, ROVs, divers, sweep gear) during MCM operations. The system has powerful post processing software for data evaluation and simulation.

SIEL Advanced Sea Systems also produces surface and underwater communication equipments. Underwater data communication is made via acoustic modems and Surface data communication via UHF radio devices. The system has portable electronic buoys to check and control sea floor sensors from remote stations in real time.

DEFENSEA CONSULTORIA VISITED BY BRAZILIAN NAVY COMMANDER AT LAAD 2015

On the last day of LAAD 2015 (Latin America Aero Defense), largest exhibition of Defence and Security of the Americas and Caribbean, DefenSea Consultoria was honored to receive the visit of Admiral of the Fleet Leal Ferreira, Brazilian Navy Commander, accompanied by Admiral of the Fleet Gusmão, General Director of the Navy’s Material, Vice Admiral Nazareth, Chief of the Brazilian Navy Commander’s Office, Vice-Admiral Jorge Alipio, Director of Naval Weapons Systems, and Rear-Admiral Bueno, Director of the Social Communication Center of the Navy.

On this visit, the three managing partners of DefenSea Consultoria presented a summary of all activities already developed by the company, highlighting the advisory services provided to one of the “main contractors” during the first phase of SisGAAz Program bidding, from Brazilian Navy, now under way, and the development of a VTS (Vessel Traffic Service)  implementation project in the Port of Acu, huge private enterprise located in São João da Barra, in the northern of Rio de Janeiro state, now under evaluation by pertinent sectors of the Brazilian Navy.

At that time, it was highlighted the proposal for sonar modernization of Inhaúma class corvettes, recently delivered the Directorate of Weapons Systems to be held by the French company RTsys.

GRI Simulations, a Canadian company represented by DefenSea Consultoria could present its ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) simulator, highlighting the possibility of modeling the equipments used by its customers.

ROV and AUV (Autonomous Underwater Vehicle) built by ISE Corporate, a Canadian company that also shared the DefenSea Consultoria booth, were presented to the Admirals.

The managing partners of DefenSea Consultoria were also able to make a few comments about the products marketed by other foreign companies they represent in Brazil.

The overall rating of the event was extremely positive for DefenSea Consultoria. During the four days of the exhibition, many civilian and military authorities, of Brazil and abroad, as well as partners and friends, visited the DefenSea Consultoria booth. The company received some proposals for partnerships as well as for assume commercial representation of foreign companies, which will be evaluated shortly by its managing partners.

DEFENSEA CONSULTORIA IS PART OF THE EFFORT THAT ALLOWS BRAZIL’S ENTRY IN THE GROUP OF COUNTRIES WITH VESSEL TRAFFIC SERVICE (VTS)

The VTS of Açu Port, located in São João da Barra, in the northern state of Rio de Janeiro, was approved by Brazilian Navy in November 2015. Therefore, it becomes the first Brazilian port to operate such a service, key to efficiently control the growing maritime traffic in the country. (Source: https://www.marinha.mil.br/nomar-online/08012016/7.html)

This is a historic landmark for the country, because it means the entry of Brazil in the group of 41 countries which operates this important service. DefenSea Consultoria is proud to have contributed to this great national achievement.

DefenSea Consultoria involvement on the activation process of the first Brazilian VTS.

In late September 2014, DefenSea Consultoria was hired by Prumo Logistica Global to develop a project to implement a VTS (Vessel Traffic Service) at the Açu Port.

In this regard, the following activities were performed by the company:

• Development of VTS’s operating procedures;
• Specification and standardization of VTS equipment;
• Technical guidance in the preparation of the VTS installation project;
• Preparation of all required documentation for implementation and homologation of VTS by the National Maritime Authority;
• Technical guidance for training of operators, controllers and on accredited educational institutions;
• Monitoring of the approval process;
• Assisted operation; and
• Supply and installation of two AIS (Automatic Information System) base station, with full redundance, in accordance with the IALA’s (International Association of Lighthouse Authorities) recommendations.

The Vessel Traffic Service enables Açu Port the use of monitoring and control systems in order to reduce delays and costs, and to enhance the navigation and port operation safety.

DefenSea Consultoria has prior experience in this matter and has contributed to the development of VTS projects to the ferry terminal of Ponta da Madeira (Brazil) and to the Vale Mineral Malaysia Terminal, in Lumut, Malaysia, both of Vale company.

So, the company is able to develop customized projects of monitoring and control of maritime traffic, according to requirements and budget of each client.

DEFENSEA CONSULTORIA BECOMES REPRESENTATIVE OF NAVICOM DYNAMICS IN BRAZIL

DefenSea Consultoria signed an agreement with Navicom Dynamics, a New Zealand company, to act as its representative and reseller of its products in Brazil.

Navicom Dynamics is headquartered in Auckland, New Zealand, and produces highly accurate mooring systems, precision orientation technology and monitoring systems with high-tech use. It markets its products to over 20 countries.

Among its products we can find a line for marine pilot’s use, with portable units and models with different features, at the discretion of users.