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ROVs are used increasingly to conduct undersea research for specialized applications. Their size and capability range from the shallow-water, low cost ROVs (LCROVs) to much larger, more complex systems.
LCROVs are small, tethered vehicles that can be operated at continental shelf depths to approximately 250 m, and can be operated from ships of opportunity. They may have thrusters, color still and video photographic systems, and a simple single or double function manipulator arm. LCROVs are operated in the West Coast and Alaska region by a variety of state and federal government agencies and commercial entities. Advantages include low cost and portability; disadvantages include payload limitations and modest thruster power.
Deep-water ROVs: Larger, deep ocean ROVs have been developed for scientific use by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institutue (MBARI), and the Canadian Scientific Submersible Facility. The vehicles listed below were all designed for deep-ocean research, and have been leased by the Center for past projects. Other deep-diving ROVs are also available from commercial operators, but they will be considered only if the operator and pilots have experience with scientific research. One such vehicle is the Global Explorer ROV operated by Deep Sea Systems International.
MBARI vehicles: Potential PIs should contact the California office of the Center (Geoff Wheat) before submitting a proposal to use an MBARI vehicle. Though proposals for collaborative studies with MBARI scientists may be submitted, such a collaboration is not required.
Examples of Deep-water ROVs
ROV Ventana is a Hysub 40 ROV converted to a scientific research platform with a depth capability of 1,850 m. Ventana is equipped with a broad array of imaging systems and sensors. The ROV has two 7-function manipulator arms and interchangeable toolsleds. The dedicated support vessel for the Ventana is the 34 m R/V Point Lobos, which has a 128 sq ft wet laboratory. Ventana and the Point Lobos conduct day boat operations out of Moss Landing, and occasionally make longer expeditions along the California coast. The status of Ventana in 2010 is uncertain; contact the California Office of the Center (Geoff Wheat) for information.
ROV Doc Ricketts is MBARI’s new 4000 m vehicle, and replaces the ROV Tiburon. Features of this vehicle include: modular tool-sled packages; digital and HD cameras with zoom, pan, and tilt; HMI and incandescent lights; two manipulators, one with a fore-feedback sensor; 275 kg science payload (weight in water); variable buoyancy system for low-disturbance operation. The dedicated support vessel for the Doc Ricketts is the R/V Western Flyer, a 36 m aluminum-hull SWATH vessel that can accommodate a scientific party of 8-12. The vessel has both a wet lab (452 sq ft) and dry lab (352 sq ft). Doc Ricketts and the Western Flyer conduct research in Monterey Bay and other West Coast and Northeast Pacific locations.
ROV ROPOS is a 30/40 Hysub ROV with 5,000 m depth capability. It is operated by the Canadian Scientific Submersible Facility in Sidney, British Columbia, and normally conducts research in the Northeast Pacific. ROPOS has undergone several upgrades in recent years, and now has multiple configurations for the major systems and topside support. The vehicle operates in a shallow-water mode to 1,000 m, mid-depth mode to 2,500 m, and deep-water mode to 5000 m. The shallow-water mode is the lightest-weight configuration and involves a side-launch system of the vehicle alone. The mid-depth mode is used with a ship’s crane and launch and recovery system. The deep-water mode is the heaviest configuration uses an A-frame launch of a cage that houses the vehicle and a deep-water tether management system. The deep-water configuration requires a large ship. ROPOS equipment includes two manipulator arms with force feedback sensors; multiple cameras including HD, with pan, tilt, and zoom; and scientific sampling tools. Scientific payload varies with the vehicle configuration.
ROV Jason/Medea is a remotely operated vehicle system designed by the Deep Submergence Laboratory at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and operated by the National Deep Submergence Laboratory on behalf of the National Science Foundation. ROV Jason is a two-body system, with Medea serving in a tether management role that decouples Jasonfrom the ship's motion. Medea is also used by the pilots for tether management, terrain identification, and monitoring Jason’s location. The system operates to a maximum depth of 6,500 meters, and requires a large support vessel. Jason is equipped with two manipulators, one with force feedback; has a scientific payload up to 350 lbs; and can be fitted with a variety of other specialized equipment. A planned upgrade of the lighting and camera systems will replace the digital video and still cameras with HD cameras capable of recording onto standard or HD media.
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