July 25, 2005

DSSI Delivers ZERO Visibility Port Security ROV System

Deep Sea Systems International (DSSI) of Cataumet, Massachusetts has recently delivered one of the most exotic and highly advanced ZERO visibility port security ROV vehicles in the world.

The contract awarded from the University of South Florida (USF) specified a port security ROV system for use in ship hull inspections including port and harbor surveys in absolute zero visibility conditions. DSSI was selected by USF to perform the vehicle design and manufacturing services and to integrate an array of advanced sensors provided by USF.

DSSI’s Sea Max Mk-2 Port Security ROV System included a vehicle with the sensors and equipment required for precise maneuvering and accurate positioning using high resolution sonar and video imaging, enabling this vehicle to precisely bottom map and survey in real-time. The sensors installed onto this vehicle enables it to handle the inspection of ship hulls, piers, harbors, ports, pipelines, and moorings in all visibility conditions including “black water.” This system enables the piloting of the vehicle virtually as easy as when using traditional video systems in clear, open water. All the while being able to control the vehicle in the most turbid waters, with over 300 lbs of thrust.

The vehicle carries an array of under water sonar systems, including a Didson sonar, Coda Echoscope (real time 3-D imaging), Ring Laser Gyro, an extremely accurate inertial navigation system, an acoustic Doppler navigation system, and a viewing system composed of four color TV cameras. It also has quartz halogen and HID lights, an image scaling system, and a heavy duty tilt unit with a precision angular position feedback sensor. In addition, the data processing and collection capability of the system will enable route surveys to be routinely performed by building a sonar data base of the survey and object identification data as references for comparison with data from subsequent surveys enabling the operator to notice any changes or anomalies. Vehicle control and data acquisition is accomplished over a high speed multiple user Fiber Optic data link including an option for a wireless link to shore. This vehicle is an absolute under water Hound Dog.