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Royal IHC has recently delivered a
new version of Its successful "Hi-
Traq" subsea trenching vehicle
range, the "Amphibious Hi-Traq
Jetter" to Caldwell Marine
International (CMI). This newbuild
subsea vehicle is the first of its
type and will be owned and
operated by the specialist US
cable installation contractor,
becoming a key tool in its
extensive arsenal of equipment.
The scope of this contract award
included the Jetting vehicle with
eductor system, combined power
and control cabin complete with
latest SCADA system, power/
control umbilical and a special
purpose umbilical reeling system.
AMPHIBIOUS HI-
“The evolution of the design of
the Hi-Traq Jetter can be traced
right back to the i-Trencher,
currently owned and operated by
Helix,” said Robert Haylock,
Business Development Manager,
Subsea Technologies. “Delivered
in 2009, i-Trencher is still
operating successfully today and
has an unrivalled track record of
installing subsea power cables
worldwide.
“Post delivery of the i-Trencher,
Royal IHC invested millions of
pounds into R&D to discover if
subsea tracked trenching vehicles
of the time could be
fundamentally improved upon.
That process identified two key
problems: firstly traction related
Issues caused by the
exclusive use of the
classic ridged two-
track system.
Secondly was the potential loss of
vehicle control whilst cresting large
undulations In sea
beds such as sand
waves.
“It is logical to
assume that when
encountering a
completely flat,
relatively firm sea
bed, a two- track
vehicle generates
excellent traction,
but how often in
the real world Is
that the case?
More likely, sea
bed conditions
can be more problematic, with soft
soils, steep slopes or challenging
undulations.
In those circumstances a
traditional two
tracked system
Amphibious
Hi-Traq Jetter
Two tracks per side
makes the vehicle
more manoeuvrable
than a single track
TRENCHERS