Why are ROVs Becoming Standard in Aquaculture and Offshore Energy?
ROV adoption in aquaculture has shifted from experimental to operational standard over the past decade. UCO has observed a measurable transition in client expectations and usage patterns.
Archer explains, "The benefits of these machines have become clear. They’ve seen what can be achieved with them, and adoption is increasing. ROV technology is gradually becoming standard on farms, whereas previously it was the exception."
This shift is driven by several operational factors:
- Reduced reliance on divers (aging workforce, stricter safety regulations)
- Lower operational costs compared to dive teams
- Increased inspection frequency (nets, seabed, infrastructure)
- Expanded capabilities through modular tooling
In offshore energy, a similar trend is emerging—moving away from large, work-class systems toward compact, observation-class ROVs with added capability:
Archer notes, “There was a trend toward larger ROVs designed for heavy-duty work and deep operations. However, we’re seeing that trend begin to shift back. The cost of the machines, their operation, and maintenance has driven a market move toward more observation-class ROVs—smaller units that are still capable, powerful, and versatile."
ROVs have expanded operational scope across aquaculture sites.
Key improvements include:
Reduced diver dependency
“In the UK, divers are becoming harder to find due to an aging workforce and high costs, and fewer young people are entering the field. Mobilizing divers can also be challenging, especially with weather and remote locations—Scotland, for example, is similar to Canada, with small islands or sites several miles from base. Waiting for divers can mean lost time and downtime, but having an ROV on site allows work to continue immediately."
Faster deployment
"If you’ve got this ROV on site, you can just launch it into the water—it’s a no-brainer. It has also helped with safety, as diving regulations have become very strict, limiting the amount of time divers can spend underwater. Providing divers with an ROV doesn’t mean we don’t need them—they’re still definitely required—but it supports their work and reduces risk."
Increased task flexibility
Archer describes the system as “The Swiss Army knife of the North Sea,” explaining further that, “Adding our tooling range expands its capabilities even further. What might have been used just for inspections and surveys can now cut center lines, patch holes in nets, attach center weights, and use tools like a root looper, carabiner, or knife hook. With simple changes to the attachment head, this one machine can perform 15 to 20 tasks, whereas previously it might only have handled surveys, inspections, or limited sampling—greatly increasing its versatility."
Archer shared an example of the system’s versatility in action:
“When I say there’s no such thing as a typical day, I mean it— last week the team was on site doing a net inspection, and one of the crew dropped his phone overboard. The Deep Trekker was already in the water for the inspection, so they sent it down 50 meters to the seabed, located the phone, used the grabber, and brought it back to the surface.”
