Sub-Atlantic - Press Release - August 25, 2005

Sub-Atlantic Limited to deliver 6000m ROV to Subsea Resources Plc

Leading electric Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) manufacturer, Sub-Atlantic Ltd, Aberdeen UK has been awarded a contract to deliver a 6000m depth rated version of their light Workclass Comanche ROV to salvage company Subsea Resources Plc.

Subsea Resources recently acquired a 75 metre survey and salvage vessel, from which the Comanche will be operated. Comanche was chosen as the most suitable vehicle for the varied tasks that will be required during both the survey and recovery operations planned in water depths down to 6000m.

Equipped with both a 7 and 4 Function Orion Manipulator from Alliance partner Schilling Robotics, Comanche will be able to undertake tasks that previously were unthinkable from a vehicle of this size.

Sub-Atlantic and Schilling Robotics recently formed the Schilling Sub-Atlantic Alliance to provide their customers with the best technical solutions possible from a single source. Subsea Resources were quick to see the benefits offered and had no hesitation in awarding a contract for a complete turnkey solution to Scottish based market leader Sub-Atlantic.

Commanche ROV

Comanche was designed to address the increasing demand for more capable electric ROV’s to undertake tasks traditionally carried out by Hydraulic ROV’s. The lower cost of ownership and increased reliability of electric ROV’s makes Comanche a viable alternative for offshore operations requiring higher levels of intervention.

Designed using a 3000 volt/400 Hz power transmission system, which is also used on the smaller Sub-Atlantic inspection class Mohican ROV, Comanche is equally suitable for free swimming or Tether Management System (TMS) operations.

"Thruster technology is of critical importance on electric ROV’s and the SPE250 brushless DC thrusters utilise our unique StatorShieldTM technology. StatorShieldTM technology creates a physical barrier between the rotor and stator, preventing water contamination to the electrical parts, a common failure mode with existing electric thrusters," Colin Millum, Joint Managing Director of Sub-Atlantic pointed out.

The standard Comanche is rated to 2000m with a payload of 150 kg, however Subsea Resources had needs that exceed this standard. Sub-Atlantic is pleased to work closely with Subsea Resources in finding the best technical solution. Increasing the operating depth on the Subsea Resources Comanche to 6000m and also raising the payload capability to 200kg were key to meeting the challenges likely to be experienced during salvage operations. The result is an ROV which can be operates at these extreme depths, while carrying an extensive array of high quality survey sensors as utilised by Subsea Resources.

John Kingsford, operations director of Subsea Resources stated:

"It was critical that Subsea Resources find a technical solution for working on salvage at the variety of depths where we have identified key targets. The ability of Comanche to operate the Tritech Super ZipJet and work-class manipulators proved to us that this ROV will be truly capable of performing intervention tasks on the salvage projects we have scheduled in the near future."

For further information on the Comanche please either contact Sales Manager Scott McLay
(scott.mclay@sub-atlantic.co.uk) on +44 (0)1224 798660 or visit the Schilling Sub-Atlantic Alliance website (http://www.ssaalliance.com).