on screen annotations and event logging software that the capable nature of the AC-ROV has surprised its ownbasically writes your report for you as you perform your ers. work. For a shark to eat an actor gently, takes five brushless The Sea-Dragon ROV features a modular design for ease DC thrusters with velocity feedback for precise and rapid of maintenance and adding of additional equipment. It is control in all directions (See picture, page 2). When the powered by four - two hp thrusters, and has 500 watts of Bollywood movie, LUCK, was filmed in South Africa, a forward and 250 watts of rear lighting. The ROV can be Saab Seaeye Falcon ROV was strapped beneath a giant 4.2 equipped with multiple cameras for forward, rear, arm, m long Latex and Polyurethane replica of a tiger shark -- 3D, and zoom options. then sent to eat luckless victims trying to escape a sinking Teledyne Benthos' all-new MiniROVER is described by container. the manufacturer as the most powerful mini ROV in its The realistic swimming motion of the shark and its vioclass. With 80 lbs. of thrust, the power-to-weight ratio is lent attack can be realistically recreated, thanks to skillful 2:1. It is compact, measuring 26 in. long, 15.5 in. wide and precise fingertip control of the Falcon by the ROV and 11.5 in. high, weighing just 44 pounds. During a per- pilots Steve Wilkinson and Nicolas Stroud of Marine formance trial last summer, the company reports that the Solutions. unit made easy headway against a 4-knot current This is not the first time the Falcon and shark towing a 50-m tether. have starred together. Owned by the South ECA Hytec's AC-CESS Co. UK Ltd. reported a African special effects company CFX, Robin on Titanic. number of last quarter 2008 sucthe shark, has worked on many cesses with its AC-ROV projects with the ROV, operated Underwater Inspection by Cape Town based Marine System. The company Solutions who specializes in achieved its first two sales in the sales, rental, repairs, the Russian Federation with maintenance and technical AC-ROV distributor support of underwater sysUnderwater Technique and tems. Tetis Pro both of Moscow, Hydroacoustics' Proteus purchasing high specificaSeries of ROVs are designed tion systems for undisclosed for law enforcement applicaclients. tions (such as retrieval of small AC-ROV distributor ROVTS underwater items and (Republic of Korea) has delivered a rescue/recovery of victims), in high second AC-ROV system to the Korea risk asset security missions, such as Hydro & Nuclear Power CO., LTD underwater observation of port facilities, (KHNP). Purchased to carry out vital inspection military sea vessels and location of mine-like objects work in nuclear power plants, the vehicles primary role is and underwater commercial projects, such as river and the internal inspection of emergency water tanks that acti- lake investigations, inspection of offshore platforms and vate in the event of fire in the nuclear reactor. historical research and discovery). This system was purchased following the success of the The Proteus Series ROVs' tether deployment systems first AC-ROV in this role with the AC-ROV's replacing use a reel and slip-ring design, designed to make them KHNP's own micro ROV systems. This is the third AC- easy to launch and requiring only 1-2 personnel. ROV delivered to the Korean nuclear industry. Holland The tether diameter is small -- only 3.5 mm -- allowYachting of Malaga, Spain report the successful comple- ing greater control and maneuverability and improved tion of seabed inspection survey's in harsh conditions operations in stronger currents. using their newly acquired AC-ROV. The vessel based The power pack resides on board the ROV. No electricsurveys were carried out in 20 meters using a clump ity is carried through the water. weight in 3 knots current. This eliminates the hazard of a potential electrical shock Initially purchased to carry out propeller, hull, reservoir, to divers and enables operation in remote locations withaquaculture installation and general harbour inspections out the need for a generator.
24 MTR March 2009
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