Victor 6000: remotely operated scientific research vehicle

I always wanted to create a database of ROVs and AUVs out there ion the world. Here is the first one:

"Victor 6000" is a tethered ROV (Remote Operated Vehicle) system which can work at depths reaching 6 000 m. It optimizes operations for manned submersibles and extends the scientific team's particpation in the dive by transferring data and images in real time. This documentary presents the new vehicle, its technical specifications, tether, depressor, steering, etc.) the data (image) transmission system and its easy handling.

A video tape describing this vehicle can be ordered from Ifremer.

Victor 6000 is a remotely operated deep water vehicle, capable of meeting the requirements of an optical linear survey, usually 10 km, in order to identify interesting areas, a local area investigation requiring video inspection, data collection and manipulative tasks. Furthermore, the ROV can be used on other missions such as wreck inspection and is a powerful platform for developing new technology.

Victor 6000 is equipped with:

High resolution color cameras with zoom, pan & tilt,
Interchangeable toolsled with high payload capacity and large user
interface (data, energy,...),
Dexterous and precise telerobotic manipulator system (arm with 7 axis of
movement),
Accurate weight adjustment with a variable buoyancy system,
Computerized network for vehicle control and data management,
Integrated approach for data storage and display allowing fast data access
and easy post-dive analysis.

Technical characteristics :

Operating depth 6000 m
Vehicle dimensions
weight 3700 kg
Length 3.15 m
Width 2.15 m
Height 1.80 m + Toolsled
Speed
Forward > 1.5 knot
Lateral > 1 knot
Vertical > 1 knot
Toolsled - Payload
Payload in water 150 kg
Reversible variable buoyancy system
Capacity : >70 kg
Flow rate : 2kg/min
Video camera
3CCD color camera zoom, pan & tilt
6 additional CCD color cameras
Manipulator
Master slave manipulator ( 7 axis of movement)
Grabber
Umbilical electro-mechanical cable
Length : 8500 m
Diameter 20 mm
Power 20 kW
6 optical fibers

Corals shmorals...

Marine habitat mapping and Ocean exploration

"Few people realise that we have such interesting, precious and dramatic habitats right on our doorstep," said Jason Hall-Spencer, from the University of Plymouth. (The reefs lie 85km offshore at a depth of one to three kilometres.)

"Some of these areas have yet to be explored, but even before we've had a chance to see their treasures, they're being bulldozed by deep-water trawling".

"About 40 percent of what we filmed had been smashed up," he said. "They smash corals 4 500 years old. Their nets plough through anything that's fragile. They wipe out fish and there's no longer any habitat for them to breed."

Probably something is wrong with me, but unperplexed by these horrible news I click on "Clash of titans as python swallows alligator" hyperlink on the same page. COOL! Then my attention wanders to "Top plastic surgeon and wife shot dead in bed".

This seems somewhat closer to my doorstep...

SeaZone Solutions Ltd will be launching their new marine mapping data product, SeaZone Hydrospatial.

A press release titled 'A NEW WAVE IN MARINE DATA' of September 30, 2005 boasts that SeaZone Solutions Ltd will be launching their new marine mapping data product, SeaZone Hydrospatial. Unfortunately the release does not tell one anything except that "The launch of SeaZone Hydrospatial reinforces the UK�s reputation as a world leader in geographic information collection and provision" and other warm and fuzzy words like that.

The only use of these "news" is the prefab boasting template they provide for us, habitat mappers. E.g.:

"This is an important product for anyone who requires detailed marine data whether for laying cables, identifying energy generator sites or monitoring shell fisheries and coastal environments."

" __________(enter your company/project name here) provides the quality of data that equivalent land projects have had from _____________ (enter your country name here) Survey for many years."

Original release is in the Directionsmag.com