Oceanology International’s live on-water demonstrations showcasing the latest in workboat design, autonomy and marine survey technology.
Oceanology International (Oi26) has unveiled a strong fleet of specialist workboats, autonomous vessels and cutting-edge software, set to take centre stage during its Dockside Demonstrations, running 10–12 March.
Set on the quayside of the historic Royal Victoria Dock outside Excel London, this year’s live feature will host more than 20 companies conducting in or on-water product demonstrations, once again placing real-world application at the heart of Oi26.
Visitors can view innovative marine technology in action, step aboard the vessels, meet the crews and discuss the latest workboat systems, with the opportunity to gain insight into how advanced onboard systems integrate, perform and deliver mission-critical data in real time.
Among this year’s highlights are two UK-designed workboats that demonstrate the versatility, innovation and leading operational capabilities driving the ocean industry forward.
Briggs Marine’s 19-metre coastal survey vessel, the Solent Guardian, is built for hydrographic, geophysical, and environmental surveys. With a 6.3m beam and shallow 1.5m draft, it provides unhindered access to nearshore and coastal areas. Onboard data feeds for depth, position, and heading, combined with wet and dry laboratories and a robust moonpool-mounted survey pole, make her a comprehensive platform for real-time data collection and processing. An A-frame and HIAB crane enhance equipment handling, while accommodation for up to ten staff supports extended daily operations.
Alongside her, the MJM Enterprise — a 26.7-metre multi-role workboat from Marshall Jakeman Marine Ltd — demonstrates exceptional flexibility for survey, ROV, and environmental campaigns. Her 5.2m-wide, 6T SWL A-frame with integrated winch and expanded towing width underlines her power and capability. A flexible deck mounting system, 1.2m moonpool, and 38t/m crane further enhance her suitability for shallow geotechnical, ROV, and environmental operations.
Hays Ships, owner and operator of a specialised fleet of survey and research vessels, will berth Kommandoren, at Oi, an 1891 Baltic Trader restored by the company after being rescued from her former life as a gravel dredger.
Serving a diverse range of clients across the offshore industry, Hays Ships has over forty years of experience as a trusted vessel provider, combining proven operational knowledge with advanced vessel capabilities. Each vessel in its fleet is meticulously designed to meet client specifications, typically ranging from 50 to 100 metres in length, and equipped with Dynamic Positioning (DP) systems and high-quality onboard accommodation.
Oi26 Dockside Sponsor Deep Trekker, one of the largest underwater robotics manufacturers in the world, will offer visitors the chance to experience the next generation of ROV technology with live demos, hands-on interaction, and insights from its engineers.
Cody Warner, Vice President Commercial, Deep Trekker, said: “Dockside demonstrations give operators the opportunity to evaluate performance in real-world conditions rather than relying solely on specifications. Seeing an ROV operate in open water – assessing stability, control response, imaging clarity, and tooling integration – provides immediate insight into how the system will perform on an actual job. Practical demos reduce uncertainty in procurement decisions and allow teams to compare capabilities side by side.”
Other companies on the Oi dockside include autonomy software specialist Marine AI, which will offer insight into its intelligent systems for optimised navigation and enhanced operation decision-making.
CHCNAV will demonstrate the APACHE 6, an autonomous USV designed for high-resolution 3D bathymetric surveys, underwater object positioning, and offshore construction.
The HydroBoat 1200MB is SatLab’s latest USV multibeam solution, combining proven unmanned vessel technology with the HydroBeam M2 MBES (Multibeam Echo Sounder).
EvoLogics, Norbit AS, Teledyne Marine and Kongsberg Discovery will also be demonstrating their solutions outside.
Mike Enser, Marketing Manager, Oceanology International, said: “The dockside demonstrations are one of the most exciting features of Oceanology International, because they allow visitors to see cutting-edge technology performing in the live marine environment. There’s no substitute for engaging directly with the operators and developers behind the equipment to understand its full capabilities.
“From the demo cabins that line the dock edge, you can watch in real time as data is transmitted from operations below and on the water — offering valuable insight into system performance. Being able to step aboard the vessels themselves to see how they’re equipped, and speak with the crews, is invaluable when it comes to making informed decisions about future charters or investments.”
The Dockside Demonstrations are a cornerstone of Oi, complemented by the 450 exhibiting companies and in-depth technical discussions taking place inside the Excel, bringing a huge variety of physical technology for users, operators, engineers and developers to discover at a unique working marketplace.
