What are Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs)?

-An ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) is an underwater “robot” that is used for many different underwater applications. - Underwater exploration & documentation, recoveries, inspections, search and rescue, trenching, cable burial and much more.

-ROVs can solve some of the major maritime security issues today.
Seaport / Port Security and Surveillance : Ship Inspections : Pipeline Inspections : Oil Rig Surveillance and Inspections : Docking Perimeter Inspections and Detections : Barge Inspections : Docked Cruise Ship Inspections : Tanker Security and Inspections

-ROVs were initially produced for military applications, and the continued development was primarily due to growth in offshore oil and gas exploration. During the mid 1980’s the marine ROV industry suffered from serious stagnation in technological development caused in part by a drop in the price of oil and a global economic recession. Since then, technology development in the ROV industry has accelerated. Now a variety of new markets are finding needs for ROVs – such as oceanography, fishing, civil engineering, security, mineral prospecting and other niche arenas.

-ROVs are free flying at the operators commands and in some instances programmed to fly in certain patterns or locations. However, ROVs are always attached to a control center usually based above the surface. The ROV and control center are attached to each other by an “umbilical” cable (or tether). The “umbilical” provides the power and data uplink between the control center and ROV. All the operating commands and information collected by the ROV are sent back and forth to each other through the “umbilical” wiring. In some instances the “umbilical” is reinforced with strength enhancements for recoveries.

-Basic features on an ROV include:
-Thrusters - so the ROV will be able to reposition and navigate.
-Cameras and/or Hydrophones (underwater microphones) - so the crew stationed at the control center will be able to see and in some cases hear what is going on.
-Various Sensors - depending on the applications, ROVs can be equipped with many different sensors such as water temperature sensors, depth sensors and sonar.

-There are many different types of ROVs. - “Work Class” ROVs are very large in size and operated by a crew. The crew consists of a supervisor, pilot and in some instances a co-pilot. Generally the members are well experienced with great knowledge in electronics, mechanics and hyraulics. These "Work Class" ROVs are used for deep water trenching, cable burial, repair jobs and the recovery of larger objects. These big heavy ROVs are lifted in and out of the water by cranes. “Work Class” ROVs are an essential world tool, making today’s underwater jobs less of a challenge.

-The “Observation” or “General” class ROVs are much smaller in size but perform many underwater tasks, specifically in areas where “Work Class” ROVs can not go, or where they just might be too much. Tasks include pipeline inspections, search and rescue operations, ship inspections, treasure recovery, port inspections, etc. In many cases “General Class” ROVs can be deployed and controlled by just a couple of people. This can make jobs become easier and less expensive.

-The “Mini” and “Micro” class ROVs are very small in size and weight. Today’s “Mini Class” ROVs usually weigh in around 15kg and the “Micro Class” can weigh as less as 3kg. Essentially one person could take the complete ROV system out with them on a small boat, deploy it and operate it with no problems. This can be very handy in many applications; and with these systems being significantly lower in price, they make for a good alternative to divers.

Click Here for reviews, pictures and specifications for many different ROV systems that are on the market today.