4 Ways ROVs Are Impacting Underwater Operations

Shannon Regan | March 26th, 2019

Oil and Energy
Infrastructure
Search & Rescue
Environmental Research
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Underwater remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) are hard at work in the world’s oceans and are widely used to serve a range of military, commercial and scientific needs.

Underwater ROVs are playing an increasingly important role in several industries and constantly impacting underwater operations. The technology ensures safety and efficiency for multiple operations by aggregating various data sources to provide greater situational awareness.

How are ROVs being used in the field?

Oil and Energy

By the 1980s, underwater ROVs became more widely used for the offshore oil and gas industry. Since then, designs have evolved and capabilities increased for underwater drones to operate at greater depths, and carry much higher-resolution cameras, advanced sonar and more capable manipulator arms. As the world’s population increases, the need for efficient product and energy delivery is becoming more pressing. Many new energy developments such as wind, solar or oil and gas, involve underwater infrastructure.

In particular, fossil fuel companies looking for ways to speed up exploration, drilling, construction and maintenance work turn to these heavy-duty underwater drones.

Infrastructure

Routine inspections are the key to the long term care and success of any infrastructure. However, inspections of underwater infrastructure are historically strenuous and difficult, and often dangerous. Deep Trekker underwater ROVs can now protect divers from these situations and make routine inspections and repairs possible.

For example, bridges often act as homes for electrical, gas, and other utilities. The inspection and maintenance of those utilities is critical to maintain service and avoid hazards to navigation. Today, survey and imaging systems (SONAR) can be mounted on a ROV to inspect the deepest structures and bridges. Deep Trekker underwater ROVs can now improve quality, cost-effectiveness and safety of traditional inspections.

Learn More: Measuring the Benefits of Trenchless Technology

Learn more about which underwater ROV is best for your application

Search & Rescue / Defense

For decades, scientists have been working to expand the use of underwater ROVs in the military. Today, larger working class ROVs can be used underwater for days or even weeks, collecting data from the ocean floor to send back to crews on ships or on land. Information is quickly transmitted back and forth from the vessel to the military operator to analyze large streams of data.

Deep Trekker underwater ROVs are being used in various military, defense and search & rescue missions. With its advanced technology, Deep Trekker ROVs are scalable and dependable, and they can operate with a high degree of efficiency to detect evidence, contraband and help in the search for missing bodies.

Learn More: Military Underwater Drone Package

Environmental Research

Underwater ROVs have opened a whole new world of undersea exploration. With its innovative technology, scientists can now get a glimpse of what lies below the surface without having to venture into the water themselves. Professional and amateur archaeologists and biologist can now explore marine wildlife, shipwrecks, lost artifacts and much more without leaving the operation deck, and with minimal impact on historic sites.