Clear-Com announced its partnership with Deep BV, a survey company specializing in hydrography, marine geophysics, unexploded ordnance (UXO) surveys, and precise marine positioning. Deep BV has chosen Arcadia Central Station and Gen-IC virtual intercom systems to improve operational efficiency and communication in the maritime sector.

Deep BV operates primarily in nearshore areas, conducting investigations for offshore wind farms and detecting UXO on the seabed. Taco Jillings, a representative of Deep BV, explained that the company uses its Iron Lady device to tow magnetometers through the water, detecting even the smallest traces of ordnance just above the seabed.

In 2023, Deep BV began transitioning to light-crew surveys, a shift aimed at reducing onboard personnel, using smaller vessels, and cutting CO2 emissions. The company needed a communication system that could support remote operations from its headquarters in Amsterdam. Initially, it relied on phone calls and WhatsApp, which proved inefficient. Jillings emphasized the need for a seamless, open communication system that could integrate onboard communication with operations onshore.

Deep BV had already used Clear-Com’s Encore analog partyline system for over a decade, so it was familiar with the company’s reliability. Seeking a modern solution, it chose Arcadia and Gen-IC. “Clear-Com is highly reliable, easy to use, and has an excellent reputation in our industry,” Jillings said.

Clear-Com specialist Frans van Houten of Ampco Flashlight Sales provided an in-depth demonstration, showing how the system would function in real time. This led to the purchase and installation of the Clear-Com system on Breaker, Deep BV’s research vessel.

A converted former naval ship, Breaker is now a 24-hour multifunctional research vessel equipped with Arcadia Central Station, HelixNet, FreeSpeak II beltpacks, and LQ Series IP interfaces, enabling seamless communication with headquarters. With Gen-IC, the system can expand to connect multiple ships in the future.

Gen-IC is a cloud-based, virtual intercom system with licenses for various applications. It supports up to 24 channels and 64 virtual clients, allowing communication across computers, mobile devices, and Clear-Com hardware. The system operates over mobile internet, including 4G, 5G, and satellite connections such as Starlink, ensuring reliable global communication.

With Clear-Com’s technology, Deep BV has reduced the number of crew members required onboard, as support engineers can remotely assist from the office, ensuring data quality and system functionality. This approach lowers costs, improves operational efficiency, and reduces environmental impact by using smaller vessels.

Reflecting on the project, van Houten noted that Deep BV had a clear vision, which allowed him to focus on delivering a tailored solution. “The headquarters is near my home, so I simply rode my bike over to deliver the demo,” he said. “It was a fun experience for me—a home game.”