Page 29 - The ROV Manual - A User Guide for Remotely Operated Vehicles 2nd edition

the lower cost structure over manned submersibles as well as the lower logistical requirements of the ROV versus manned submersibles.
Typical mission: ROV equipment is typically used in this application to take physical in situ samples and to deliver sensors for gathering data from the operational environment.
Typical vehicle type and configuration: As no significant heavy work is performed during sci- ence missions (other than geological sampling), minimal intervention is needed requiring small electric actuators, manipulators, and end effectors. Typical vehicles for this mission are the OCROV and/or MSROV with high data-throughput capabilities and small electrical manipulators/ end effectors.
1.4.2 Fisheries and aquaculture
Industry description: As the world becomes increasingly more populous and the world’s oceans remain over-exploited, fish farming has become much more pronounced in the production of food- stuff for the world’s consumers. As a result, various usages of ROV equipment have become preva- lent for both the production support at fish farms as well as use in regulatory compliance assurances by policing authorities in open water fisheries locations.
Typical mission: The typical service provided by ROVs in this industry is the inspection of fish cages within a fish farm and for various usages including checking nets for holes, assuring the integrity of moorings for the farm, and the retrieving of “morts” (dead fish) from the cage for health/sanitation purposes.
Typical vehicle type and configuration: As the intervention needs of this mission are minimal and the operational environment is predominantly shallow water, the “flying eyeball” OCROV with a simple video camera and a small manipulator is the vehicle/configuration of choice.
1.4.3 Military
Industry description: The predominant need and usage of ROVs in a military application involve the three basic functions: mine countermeasures (MCM), object retrieval/recovery, and inspection/ security tasks.
Typical mission: For the MCM mission, the ROV is sent to a location of targets identified through other sensors or means (mine-hunting sonar, laser line scanners, intelligence, etc.). Once the mine is located, some form of end effector is required in order to neutralize the mine for final disposition. For the object retrieval function, much heavier vehicles are needed in order to rig heavy-lifting gear for retrieval to the surface. And for the inspection/security function, a simple video camera along with basic sensors is needed.
Typical vehicle type and configuration: For the MCM mission, the predominant vehicle is a special-use explosives delivery platform whereby the vehicle delivers a charge and then egresses the area for detonation or (for the more poignant “suicidal” approach) the vehicle carries the charge within close proximity of the mine and then detonates itself and (hopefully) the mine simulta- neously. This single-shot MCM vehicle is clearly an OCROV (hopefully of minimal cost) while the charge delivery-then-evacuation vehicle is typically an MSROV with a dexterous electric manipula- tor capability. For the object retrieval ROV, a heavy-duty WCROV is needed along with hydraulic
1.4 ROV services by industry 17