Manta Systems UK - Administration

Manta Systems UK (formerly known as Modus Subsea), a Darlington-based subsea exploration company, entered administration on 29 April, with Gareth Harris and Lee Lockwood of RSM UK appointed joint administrators.

The company was established over 35 years ago and specialised in autonomous subsea drones used to tend oil and gas fields.

In recent years, it employed as many as 67 people, but had only 17 employees at the time of the administration, most of whom have since been made redundant.

The company had suffered several years of losses and was facing a winding up petition from a company belonging to its former owner, Arthur Tompkins.

Mr Tompkins and GB Europe Management Services have registered charges against the company.