Ocean Power, SeaTrepid to remotely install ocean energy buoy off Chile

Ocean Power Technologies Inc (NASDAQ:OPTT) will deploy its PB3 PowerBuoy ocean energy platform off the coast of Las Cruces, Chile, using remote collaboration tools.

The US company, also known by its acronym OPT, said it has hired marine and underwater services contractor SeaTrepid International LLC to carry out turn-key installation of the PB3 PowerBuoy and oceanographic monitoring system in Chilean waters. Installation was initially planned to take place earlier this year, but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions on international travel. Deployment is now planned for December.

"The global pandemic has caused us to rethink our approach to deployments in distant locations by using remote collaboration tools,” said George H. Kirby, OPT President and CEO.

SeaTrepid is now being trained on technical procedures and installation requirements and will be guided remotely by the New Jersey-based OPT engineering team through the deployment process.

The PB3 PowerBuoy will operate as an autonomous offshore platform, powering a suite of oceanographic sensors and transmitting real-time data back to land, OPT said.

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