DEEP SUBMERGENCE CAPABILITY

Southampton Oceanography Centre has commissioned the UK's first remotely operated vehicle (ROV) dedicated to deep-ocean exploration and research. Capable of carrying out research down to depths of 6,500 metres the ROV will give scientists access to 98 per cent of the world's oceans. Based at Southampton Oceanography Centre, the ROV will also be available for use by researchers from across the UK, as part of the marine science technology pool. Professor Priede of the Department of Zoology, University of Aberdeen said: 'This is a long overdue development that will greatly enhance the ability of researchers in British Universities to make direct observations, retrieve samples and carry out experiments in deep water. There are areas of the continental slope which are too steep to be surveyed by conventional towed gear and nets. They are no go areas in which we know important species of fish are likely to spawn and rear their young. The ROV will make these areas accessible for the first time.' The Tether Management System for the project is to be supplied by ALL OCEANS Engineering Limited of Aberdeen, who are obviously delighted to be involved in such a prestigious British project. Function testing of the TMS is scheduled to take place in Aberdeen in the last quarter of 2002. 0nce complete it will be despatched for ROV and Launch and Recovery System integration and testing. The first sea trials are understood to be scheduled for the second quarter 2003. The SOC web site has more details and information about the Project including technical specifications of some of the hardware. www.soc.soton.ac.uk/OED/ROV/index.php The large range of various TMS building block components that ALL OCEANS have developed over the years allowed a near proven solution to be offered to the Project. This was a major advantage when it is appreciated that what the Project called for was a TMS not much bigger, or heavier than what would normally be used with an "Inspection" class ROV, but with a load rating appropriate to a heavy "Work" class ROV. The winch module is one of the smaller units in the All Oceans' range and will provide 260m minimum ROV excursion on the Project supplied special tether cable. The TMS is rated for a maximum 4000kg ROV and has a proof load rating of 12,000kg but in air will weigh less than 1000kg.

For more information on DEEP SUBMERGENCE CAPABILITY talk to All Oceans Engineering Ltd