The Member of Parliament for Fareham, Suella Fernandes, visited Saab Seaeye, the world’s largest electric underwater robotic systems manufacturer.

During her tour of the facilities at Fareham with Saab Seaeye’s managing director, Jon Robertson, the MP met the staff and saw advanced underwater robotic systems with exceptional technological capabilities including an ability to descend three miles deep under the ocean, manoeuvre precisely in strong currents and grasp things using enormous strength or fingertip delicacy.

Jon Robertson, managing director and Suella Fernandes, MP for Fareham, alongside the Seaeye Leopard – the most powerfully advanced deep sea robotic system in the world.

Speaking to technicians and apprentices on her tour, Ms Fernandes saw many examples of the way the company’s high standards of technological excellence and customer service have secured its lead position in the market and built a world–renown reputation for trusted technology and support.

Along with viewing the range of robotic systems and engineering processes, the MP discovered how they are widely used across different markets, including oil and gas, marine science, defence forces, hydro engineering and aquaculture. She heard about the variety of tasks undertaken, ranging from gathering seabed samples to swimming down deep tunnels and rescuing submariners.

Ms Fernandes said how very impressed she was with everything she had seen and with the high level of professionalism shown by everyone she met, saying:

“Saab Seaeye is a large and valuable part of the local economy and we are pleased that such an important leader in the field of underwater robotics is based here in Fareham.”

Ms Fernandes was particularly interested in talking to several apprentices and seeing their projects, saying how pleased she was to witness Saab Seaeye’s investment in apprenticeships and to meet the engineers of the future.

Jon Robertson explained that the company is continuously investing in people skills and technology for the future:

“Having led the market for the last 30 years with innovations that have changed the industry we remain at the cutting edge in our field as we see ever more growth opportunities in existing and new markets for our pioneering underwater technology.”

Suella Fernandes meets Saab Seaeye’s youngest employee, Jade Coleman, who assembles printed circuit boards.		Zach Coates, apprentice, explains to Suella Fernandes his ingeniously created electronic glove that allows the operator to virtually operate the manipulator.
		Suella Fernandes asks Ben Morgan about the Falcon he is working on, having just completed his apprenticeship.
Apprentice Jack Arnott shows Suella Fernandes his inventive idea for the world’s smallest and lowest cost depth measurement system using a sensor the size of a finger nail and explains that he also wrote the associated software code.

Saab Seaeye is the world’s leading underwater e-robotics company with the most advanced range of tethered, autonomous and hybrid robotic systems engineered to address the diverse range of tasks found across commercial, defence and scientific markets.

For more information contact:

Matt Bates Saab Seaeye Limited +44 (0)1489 898 000 Matt.Bates@saabgroup.com www.seaeye.com