It all began in 2005, at my kitchen table overlooking the picturesque shores of the Bay of Fundy, N.B. Desiree Stockermans and I were faced with an extraordinary challenge: to create a hydrophone that could process vast amounts of real-time data at the source. We embraced the challenge, envisioning a smart digital hydrophone.
This prototype, named Big Ears, was shared with the world just as Hurricane Dennis raged through the Gulf of Mexico, causing a leak in the BP Thunderhorse rig, the world’s largest semi-submersible oil platform. Big Ears became the hero, locating the leak, averting an environmental disaster and saving countless jobs.
Founded in 2012, and headquartered in Truro, N.S., Ocean Sonics has evolved into a trailblazer in underwater acoustic technology. At the heart of its innovation is the icListen Smart Hydrophone, an intelligent underwater listening device that provides real-time data processing and high-fidelity acoustic recordings, making it indispensable for monitoring underwater construction and pile driving activities. The icListen’s high sensitivity and low noise capture even the faintest underwater sounds with exceptional clarity, ensuring precise monitoring of underwater noise.
The real-time data streaming capabilities of the icListen allow for immediate analysis and recording, which are essential in dynamic construction environments. These hydrophones are versatile and suitable for deployment on moorings, autonomous underwater vehicles, remotely operated vehicles and other platforms, adapting to various construction site needs.
Their role in environmental monitoring and protection is critical. They provide precise and reliable data that helps stakeholders make informed decisions to support marine ecosystem health. Ocean Sonics’ hydrophones are instrumental in studying marine mammal populations, monitoring underwater noise pollution and assessing the impact of human activities on marine life.
Ocean Sonics’ hydrophones are instrumental in studying marine mammal populations, monitoring underwater noise pollution and assessing the impact of human activities on marine life.
One notable application of Ocean Sonics’ technology is the offshore construction of wind farms and marine structures. Pile driving, an integral part of the construction, generates significant underwater noise that can impact marine life, particularly marine mammals sensitive to sound.
The icListen continuously monitors noise levels, ensuring that construction activities comply with environmental regulations and minimize harm to marine ecosystems. This application exemplifies how standards-based technology can be harnessed to balance industrial progress with environmental stewardship.
In addition to their technical advancements, Ocean Sonics is deeply committed to community outreach and education. The company actively engages with young audiences, aiming to inspire the next generation to recognize and understand the impacts of ocean sound. Through educational initiatives and partnerships, Ocean Sonics fosters curiosity and discovery, highlights the importance of ocean conservation and emphasizes the role of technology in understanding the natural world. These efforts help cultivate a deeper appreciation for marine environments and the need to protect them.
Ocean Sonics’ commitment to innovation and excellence has earned them a growing list of clients, including research institutions, militaries, environmental organizations and large commercial businesses. The technology is used across various sectors, such as offshore wind farms, oil and gas exploration, and marine wildlife research.
Ocean Sonics helps these industries operate more sustainably and responsibly by providing simple, accurate and reliable data. Their hydrophones have proven invaluable in various applications, from detecting leaks in underwater pipelines to monitoring the effects of underwater radiated noise of ships.
Ocean Sonics’ success story is not just about technological advancements, but the company’s unwavering dedication to the environment and community engagement. By providing tools that facilitate a deeper understanding of the underwater world, Ocean Sonics empowers scientists, researchers and industry professionals to make informed decisions that benefit both people and the environment.
Looking ahead, Ocean Sonics is advancing its technology and expanding its impact. The company is exploring new markets and applications for its hydrophones, including aquaculture, fisheries and shipbuilding. By continuing to innovate and collaborate with the global scientific community, Ocean Sonics aims to remain at the cutting edge of underwater acoustics technology, just as they did from the very beginning at that kitchen table by the Bay of Fundy.
The real-time data streaming capabilities of the icListen allow for immediate analysis and recording, which are essential in dynamic construction environments.
Mark Wood, CEO and founder of Ocean Sonics, has been working in the marine acoustics industry since the early 1990s, primarily in the offshore energy industry. He has focused on innovation in the field of acoustics from an early stage, helping to develop complex acoustic navigation systems for remotely operative vehicle positioning, dynamic positioning and diver tracking. Ocean Sonics specializes in the science, energy, defense and regulations sectors.