MacArtney's innovative technology helps preserve and document ancient underwater sites

Take a virtual dive into a 2500-year-old shipwreck via the prototype underwater surveillance system, NOUS – which relies on MacArtney’s underwater pluggable electrical SubConn® connectors for its steady performance.

The Peristera shipwreck, off the Greek island of Alonnisos in the Aegean Sea, is described as ‘the Parthenon of shipwrecks’. The wooden vessel sank in the late 5th century BC and is located in the largest marine protected area in Europe. It is named after the small, almost deserted island close to where it was discovered.

The Greek Ministry of Culture has prohibited diving, including snorkelling, to any of the country’s underwater archaeological sites to protect them. The dilemma for many historians and scientists has been: how can we preserve these ancient sites while still allowing people to appreciate their unique treasures?

A new prototype may have the answer. The underwater surveillance system, NOUS, has already enabled the public to enjoy the Peristera ‘underwater museum’ via real-time video while also protecting it for future generations. And after the success of the pilot project, the hope is that similar systems can now be applied at other underwater preservation sites.

MacArtney provided assistance and cooperation throughout the process, particularly its internal sales department, which recommended and singled out the needed OptoLink and SubConn® connectors, including cabling, for the optimum result. The underwater pluggable electrical SubConn® connectors combine signal and power, enabling the steady performance of the underwater camera, video and lighting systems installed on-site.

The underwater surveillance system, or NOUS (meaning ‘mind’ or ‘intelligence’ in Greek), is a prototype capable of continuous monitoring an underwater area of interest using AI (artificial intelligence). This eliminates the need for a human operator to perform tasks like object detection, image classification, etc.

The system works on a machine-learned algorithm that can recognise any intruder and send an alarm. It provides real-time video of the wreck site, streamed via five underwater cameras.

Other features of the prototype, powered by solar energy, include recognition software and luminosity-triggered lens wipers to unclog debris.

Two years of brainstorming and hard work, including the idea phase, the building of prototypes and introduction to the Greek Ministry of Culture, finally culminated in the acceptance and funding of the uNdersea visiOn sUrveillance System, or ‘NOUS’ for short.

Dr George Papalambrou and Mr Vasilis Mentogiannis agree that MacArtney’s assistance has been invaluable:

“We are grateful for the assistance and guidance we received from MacArtney. Our idea and system needs were fully understood and supplied with the fit-for-purpose solution. The system has worked successfully for a year now, and we believe the use of the SubConn® underwater connectors guarantees stability, enabling us to make our prototype a ‘product’ available for more ancient wreck sites in Greece and the marine/diving industry in general.”

• SubConn Circular series, 8 pins
• SubConn Ethernet
• Cables
• OptoLink fibre optic connectors

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