Page 622 - The ROV Manual - A User Guide for Remotely Operated Vehicles 2nd edition

622 CHAPTER 22 It’s the Little Things That Matter
FIGURE 22.9
ROV contaminated during an oil spill survey.
The suggested method of penetration into a HAZMAT environment is to determine the length of tether needed for the operation and then quarantine all parts of the submersible/ tether combination from the insertion point to the submersible. A suggested decontamination method follows:
• Prepare the submersible for deployment into the HAZMAT substance.
• Mark the tether at the point of entry (or point of quarantine) to the submersible.
• Obtain (or create) an open container of decontaminate large enough to handle both the
submersible and tether upon recovery of the vehicle.
• Perform work and recover vehicle.
• Thoroughly immerse the vehicle and tether in decontaminate until cleansed to EPA (or
controlling authority) guidelines.
• Rinse all decontaminated parts and perform scheduled maintenance.
Protecting the environment at the site is critical. It is paramount for both personal safety, as well as environmental protection, to assure that all safety cleanup protocols are followed. This will allow timely and assured site recovery, preserve community health, and prevent any liability for the team.