Hawai'i firm proposes sub vision technology

By John Duchemin
Advertiser Staff Writer

Hawai'i company Science & Technology International today will show a congressional subcommittee a new submarine anti-collision method, conceived in the wake of the Ehime Maru tragedy, that the company says could help prevent similar types of collisions.

Under the method, STI would mount on submarine bows a sophisticated camera that could detect subtle color differences between a ship hull and the surrounding ocean. The system would be far more sensitive than the human eye, and the Navy has shown interest, the company says.

The testimony before the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Research & Development is a prestigious boost for the fledgling concept, said Nick Susner, chief executive officer of STI. The subcommittee is in charge of earmarking financing for military research.

Joining Susner before the subcommittee are executives from fellow Hawai'i technology company Oceanit and six other military contractors, all brought in to testify on small business research. STI and Oceanit were invited by Rep. Neil Abercrombie, the subcommittee's ranking Democrat.

Susner said STI conceived the ship-detection method hours after the USS Greene-ville collided with the Japanese fishing vessel Ehime Maru on Feb. 9, sinking the training vessel and killing nine of its students, teachers and crew.

The method is based on a $50 million submarine-detection camera system developed by STI for use in planes. Costs to design, develop and test an underwater version probably would bear a similar price tag, Susner said.

Submarines use acoustic, or sound-based, detection systems, which require skill and training to use. A camera system would add a set of eyes to the process, making it easier to pinpoint surface objects, Susner said. Such a system would reduce the need for periscopes, he said.

"For the first time, you'd get an image, an actual picture, that says, 'This is what you see,' " Susner said.

Susner says the Navy is interested enough to request more detailed information. Susan said he will brief Navy officials on the system.