At PML Applications, our team has a wealth of experience in safely and successfully deploying and recovering large buoy systems and other infrastructure at sea. To date, we have deployed equipment such as ROVs, buoys, buoy moorings, scientific kit, trawls, and autonomous vessels. We cover the South coast but primarily operate during daylight hours from Plymouth.

Our facilities and vessels are available for use in your project, whatever level of support you are looking for. With an experienced crew who are practised in handling scientific and specialist equipment, we can support your deployment and recovery, plus provide assistance and project management. Choose the level of support for your project from our list of services:

• Deployment and Recovery Planning – If you would like PML Applications to manage your project, we can take you through every stage from planning to deployment. With experience in all aspects of planning and deployment, our team is on hand to make sure your project runs smoothly.
• Assessment and Knowledge Exchange – If you would like to draw from the experience of PML Applications, we are available for consultancy services in assessing your plans or providing information about any step of the deployment and recovery process. With colleagues specialising in a broad range of marine science and technology subjects.
• Vessel Charter for Deployment and Recovery – Use our fleet of vessels to deploy or recover your equipment. Whether you need a large vessel such as the RV Plymouth Quest or would like to use a RHIB. We also have equipment such as underwater cameras to help with recovery. Our crew are trained in scientific equipment handling to support your deployment or recovery.
• Marine Licensing Advice and Applications – Whether you simply need guidance with the types of marine licences you will need or you would like an experienced team to work with you on your applications, PML Applications can add this service to your project. See more information below.
• Deployment Location and Permissions Advice – Based in Plymouth, we are knowledgeable in the local area and can suggest suitable locations for deployment, based on your needs, such as water depth. We check ahead for the forecasts and sea states to schedule your deployment, with flexibility in case of unexpected changes. With a strong working relationship with the Plymouth Harbour Master, we have permission to access many open water locations, particularly for autonomous vessel trials.

Our dedicated professional commercial team are available to support your trials with:

• Commercial and marine research backgrounds and practical marine deployment experience.
• Adaptable vessels that can be modified to suit your needs.
• Security clearance and registered on defence procurement portals such as JOSCAR and HELIOS.
• Flexible scheduling arrangements to best accommodate your trials.
• A wide range of sub-contractors, including vessel charters, divers, engineering firms, design and manufacturing organisations, etc.
• Marine licensing expertise and guidance (MMO, Crown Estates & Duchy of Cornwall).

If you would like to launch your next deployment with PML Applications or have questions for us about your project, please contact our Manager of the Centre for Coastal Technologies, Sam Fawcett, at saf@pml.ac.uk

Marine Licence Applications

PML Applications assists in identifying the necessary licence requirements and legislation to support your planned deployments. Certain scenarios may legally require marine licences, for example if your activities interact with the seabed. There are several stages we can assist you with your marine licence applications, whether you would like advice or for us to lead the applications. This includes:

• Identifying any necessary licence requirements for your planned deployments in the marine environment.
• Advising on these applications on your behalf to enable your trial to take place.
• Advising on the most suitable areas to complete your trial and advising on any likely issues that could arise.
• Offering suggestions for methodology changes to better suit the licensing requirements whilst retaining project integrity.
• Assisting in time and project management (as many licences can take a number of months and be challenging to obtain).

MMO Licensing for the L4 Buoy

PML (Plymouth Marine Laboratory) holds the Crown Estate license for the area around the L4 buoy and has successfully obtained licenses for the buoy itself and a number of scientific exemptions for equipment deployment and recovery. This is one example of the type of licence you may need for your project.

Here are the most common types of marine licences that you may require:

• MMO Licence – MMO licences are designed to ensure the monitoring and safe use of the marine environment for other water users and the environment itself.
• Crown Estate Licence – The Crown Estate licence is a similar concept to a leasehold arrangement; the Crown Estate owns the seabed so the license is the equivalent of renting land. Monitoring seabed activities ensures they are not detrimental to the environment.
• Duchy of Cornwall Licence – Duchy of Cornwall operates a similar licence to the Crown Estate for the specific portions of seabed they own.

We are available to assist with MMO, Crown Estate, and Duchy of Cornwall licenses, which are valid, on average, for between 1 year and 3 years.

For more information about any of the services we offer, including marine licensing applications, please contact us at forinfo@pml-applications.co.uk.

Previous Deployment and Recovery Projects at PML Applications

If you would like to see examples of our previous projects in Marine Deployment and Recovery, please see here:

• PML Applications’ CCT supports Thales sea trials off South West coast