Underwater sensors for measuring motion in marine environments
We make acoustic sensors for ocean scientists and engineers. Our ADCPs measure currents and waves and our DVLs aid subsea vehicle navigation.
Our technology is used in oceanography and subsea navigation
Nortek’s advanced Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCPs) and Doppler Velocity Logs (DVLs) use the Doppler effect to measure motion in the marine environment. ADCPs are used to measure oceanographic processes as seen in currents and waves, while DVLs help subsea vehicles to navigate underwater.
Marine science and research
Oceanographers, marine scientists and government researchers require innovative oceanographic equipment that gives them data they can trust.
Marine autonomy
DVLs provide crucial information to ROV operators and enable subsea and surface vehicles in GPS-denied environments to navigate reliably underwater.
Defense and security
Trusted by leading defense contractors, Nortek’s DVLs enable accurate subsea navigation for AUVs, ROVs, USVs, and diver systems in critical missions.
Coastal engineering
Comprehensive knowledge of the sea state near coastal communities informs coastal protection measures and safe coastal operations.
Operations & Energy
Knowledge of metocean conditions is crucial to ensure safety and efficiency of personnel working offshore on projects from feasibility studies to laying cable.
Marine resources
Informed management of fisheries, ocean ecosystems, kelp farms and more contributes to sustainable human development.
People trust Nortek for high performance through quality, innovation and support.
We provide truly innovative, robust and accurate instruments, backed up by advanced software and comprehensive support. This ensures our customers gain valuable data from their measurements.
News
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First look at Nortek's Marin buoy and ADCP system
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Jannicke Koch-Hagen appointed Executive Vice President of Nortek
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Nortek organizes Vessel-Mounted ADCP workshop in Peru
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MATURE Taiwan
Nortek will be exhibiting at Taiwan Marine Tech & Unmanned Robotics Expo, connecting Taiwan's marine technology with the international community. Come and meet us at booth D710 & D712.
SEECAT
Nortek Japan will be exhibiting at the Counter-Terrorism Special Equipment Exhibition (SEECAT) in Tokyo. The event brings together professionals from across the security, public safety and critical infrastructure sectors, providing an opportunity to explore the latest technologies and solutions. Visit us at booth 4J-30 to learn more about our products and discuss how our solutions can support you.
ARAMUSS
Nortek will be exhibiting at ARAMUSS 2026 alongside General Oceans sister company, Klein, to showcase complementary technologies and solutions for autonomous maritime operations. ARAMUSS is focused on maritime unmanned systems and autonomous vehicle technologies, bringing together defense leaders, technology companies, researchers, and innovators to explore dual-use solutions in robotics, artificial intelligence, and autonomous navigation. The event will feature exhibitions, expert talks, symposiums, and live demonstrations.
Doppler Dynamics - Navigation
The morning sessions will introduce the fundamentals, ensuring everyone has a shared level of understanding before we explore practical DVL applications and how DVLs can be used most effectively to support subsea navigation.
After lunch, we will head out on the water for a practical demonstration of DVL-aided surface navigation in a GNSS-denied environment, delivered in collaboration with Exail.
There will be regular breaks throughout the day, providing plenty of opportunities to network and speak with Nortek experts. Lunch and refreshments will be provided.
Interested in oceanography and ADCPs? We’re also hosting a dedicated Doppler Dynamics – Oceanography event on November 18th - follow this link to register
Doppler Dynamics - Oceanography
The morning sessions will introduce the fundamentals, ensuring everyone has a shared level of understanding before we explore practical tips for maximising deployment success. We will then review recent developments across Nortek’s ADCP product range - including the Gen 2 AWAC, Aquadopp and Vector - and offer a glimpse of what’s coming next.
After lunch, we will split into two groups. You can choose to:
- Join a vessel-based practical demonstration of a vessel-mounted ADCP, followed by a session on processing the collected data; or
- Remain at the NOC for an introduction to ADCP quality assurance, quality control and data post-processing using Ocean Contour.
There will be regular breaks throughout the day, providing plenty of opportunities to network and speak with Nortek experts. Lunch and refreshments will be provided.
Interested in Subsea and GNSS-denied surface Navigation? We’re also hosting a dedicated Doppler Dynamics – Navigation event on November 17th - follow this link to register
Webinar: Getting more from your Nortek Signature ADCPs
Ready to take your ADCP measurements to the next level? Join Nortek ADCP expert David Velasco for a practical webinar exploring the Nortek Signature series. We’ll start with an overview of the Signature lineup and how to choose the right instrument for your application, before digging deeper into advanced capabilities and demonstrating how custom commands can help you tailor your Signature ADCP to your specific measurement needs.
After registering, you’ll receive a confirmation email from Microsoft Teams with your personal link to join the webinar. Please check your spam or junk folder if you don’t see it in your inbox.