Rov

[Ingemar Lundgren]

A brand new company in Sweden called Underwater vision have developed a low cost ROV. It is in production now and will be for sale this autumn. The sale price will be about $7000.

We will probably get an opportunity to test drive it in July. http://www.uwv.se/

[Ingemar Lundgren]

Does any forum member have experience operating an ROV? I would like to ask some questions.

[Antzoulis]

Does any forum member have experience operating an ROV? I would like to ask some questions.

Hello.I have experience with 3 rovs...
I have this in my company

http://www.antzoulis.gr/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/Diver_s_world__antzoulis_%2819%29.jpg

mini rover MK1

When i was working in Hellenic center of marine research with this http://www.theabyss.gr/gallery/albums/userpics/10038/normal_023.jpg
MAX ROVER
and when i was working in another Diving company with this
http://www.theabyss.gr/gallery/albums/userpics/10038/16032006%28004%29.jpg
If i can help you?
what do you want to ask?

[Ingemar Lundgren]

Hi,

And welcome to the forum! I would like to ask some questions regarding ROV operation. A Swedish company is producing a low cost ROV http://www.uwv.se/

It does not have any sonar, only a compass. I have never actually operated an ROV but i have been on ships that have deployed them and we always used 3-4 point mooring to keep the ship in position. This is rather time demanding. Would it be possible to operate an ROV from a single point mooring if the weather is calm and there are no currents? Depth range would be 50-100m. Also this ROV does not have a sonar so we would have to drop it near the wreck and then use the compass. You donīt drop a ROV directly on the wreck do you? I am thinking of entanglement hazards etc. I would love to get you view on this as an experienced operator.

[Antzoulis]

Hi! Sorry took me so long to answer back!
Look another one company who have a low cost ROV http://www.videoray.com/
http://www.videoray.com/Products/scout.php

The best way is to get to the wreck by ship-boat with the help of GPS or sonar, and drop the anchor next to it.
Then you can take down the ROV straight down to the wreck. (very good is to look the line)
Always remember to enter and exit in the same manner and keep a safety distance from the wreck. when you go inside look all time the compass and marked somewhere in order to help you for the exit.
The cable of Rov must be loose in order to avoid danger. Be carefull;)

With estimate
Antzoulis

[rov]

Hi Ingemar,

I have also a company specialising in RoV and Sonar Services - ww.OFSltd.com

We also offer Micro RoVs for Sale and have experience with that type of systems.

The system I had a look at and you envisage to test looks very bulky with an enormous amount of surface area If there is any sort of current you will find it difficult to operate it. You do not have a lateral thruster which makes sideward movements difficult. Ie if you have passed the object of interest you have to fly some difficult manouvres to get back to it. Especially if you decided to look at the side object. You also have one vertical thruster only- In case it gets blocked by ie Kelp you may not be able to get back. Better to go for a system with 2 Vertical thrusters.

Compass: Close to and in a wreck it will be useless because of the magnetic signature. So you will have to make mental notices where you are and what flying manouveres you have done.

Deployment: Live Boating The boat should get anchored if possible if you do not have a DP vessel to your disposal. Props should be off if possible at the start of your RoV endevours. Have a guide wire with a weight going down on which you will fly the RoV down.

I do not want to discourage you, but you do have to be careful as flying an RoV sounds easier than it actually is. It is very easy to get entangled in all sorts of stuff if you mistake left for right..

RoV Pilot Courses:
I have thought of offering some introductory courses to RoVs, the technology, their piloting. If there is any interest please let me know and I will put a programm together. Groups schould not exeed 4-6 people. If negotiations goe well diving at the same time will also be possible at the site. Dive depth is 15m with al ot of interesting objects / wrecks in the water.

If there are any more questions or requirements on RoV and Sonar Services please let me know.

best regards

Bernd

PS: could you please organise a separate Main Thread for RoV and Sonar Issues?

Background: Bernd - OFSLTD

I have been working since 1987 in the offshore industry.
Since 1997 I have worked as an RoV Pilo/Technician. My deepest Dive was to 1859m in the Brasilian Atlantic.
I am the only QUALIFIED german RoV Workclass Pilot Technician.
2000 I founded Ocean Frontier Services and had /have 1 Standard Hyball , 1 Offshore Hyball, 1 Micro RoV Gnom, High resolution Sonars and SideScan for Industrial Inspections and Underwater Exploration.

[Ingemar Lundgren]

ROV, thanks for your advice. The Micro-RoV - Gnom: looks interesting , could you give me a quotation on that one? Would this ROV work well for our application? Depth range 20-150m and with boat on a single point mooring? We do not have DP on the boat.

There are a few members on this forum that are interested in ROVīs. You are welcome to post more information. I will start a new sub forum for marine electronics.

If you do not want to send the quotation on the forum you can email me or send a PM.

[rov]

Hi Ingemar,

The Standard Gnom we have has been extensively used in fresh water and industrial applications. The deepest Dive was 80m. The system is warranted to 120m, although the manufacturer tells me that it should be ok for 150m. Up to you to test it out... :-)
We had also good experience in utilising a cage where Gnom was situated in until we put it where it was suppose to be and started off from that point. It would be tideal to guide that type of RoV into the wreck with a diver unless you have great daylight visibility.

There is also a Super Gnom available with additional 2 horizontal Thrusters.
Also available is a mini sonar which I would advise you to get under all circumstances.

For your applications do NOT dive without sonar, you will loose contact to the object eventually.

RoV versions feature low maintenance dimmable LED lighting, RoV Tilting function (Not available with Baby Gnom), various power settings to the thrusters, and a mere 3mm -low drag - Umbilical.

Optional is a small manipulator, tilting camera, Sonar, possible wireless controller.

From my point of view the system has been very reliable and let us never down. Pack and go, However, there will be a minimum of maintenance you will have to do after you finished your trip.

The down side is that I can not get CE certification from the manufacturer.
As such we will sell the systems only with a disclaimer and complete self-responsibility.

If you are still interested I will start to enquire about up to date prices.
Standard Gnom as on our website is about 11.500 €
That would include a Slipring Reel with 190m of cable, Battery, and small TFT Monitor. We can also offer Video Glasses with 922.000 Pixel.


As to the ROV - Sub Post, I feel it would be better not to create one under marine electronics but have a separate one for RoV & Sonar Issues in the english language Forum.

Best Regards

Bernd
info@ofsltd.com
www.ofsltd.com (http://www.ofsltd.com)