Marine observation firm in deal to supply software for wave research

Marine observation company Seaview Sensing, which is based at Sheffield Technology Park, has developed software which can work with radar to analyse waves, winds and currents.

The software could help to predict when a tsunami will happen, and it can also monitor coastal erosion.

The company's customers include clients who are devising tsunami warning systems and organisations involved in coastal management.

Seaview Sensing has won a contract to supply its software to the University of Plymouth and PRIMaRE (Peninsula Research Institute for Marine Renewable Energy) for use in the new wave hub project in the South West of England.

The software will be used to provide information on ocean waves.

Wave Hub will create a giant test site for wave energy technology by building a grid-connected socket on the seabed, 10 miles off the coast, to which wave power devices can be connected and tested.

Seaview Sensing was founded in 2004 by Professor Lucy Wyatt, who has been involved in ocean information, research and consultancy work since 1981.

Professor Wyatt, who is the company's technical director, said: "We are seeing increasing interest in our data from the marine renewables sector. We expect that wave and tidal device developers will find the data particularly interesting."

Seaview Sensing has installations around the world, including parts of the Atlantic, North Sea, and the Australia and the Indian Ocean.

Seaview's software measures waves across a wide area, which means it can help researchers who are trying to establish offshore renewable energy schemes.

The data could also be used to measure the strength of storms, which means precautions can be taken before they reach the mainland.

Seaview's technology can also help port authorities, harbour managers and marine engineers.