Scientists and engineers in the
Advanced Survey Technologies Benthic Resources Group
(led by Dr. Kevin Stierhoff) at
Southwest Fisheries Science Center
have recently designed and constructed a custom remotely operated vehicle (ROV) for surveying groundfishes and benthic invertebrates that inhabit deep-water
ecosystems along the west coast of the US. The HDHV ROV is powered by 300 VDC and brushless thrusters which make it much quieter than
comparable AC-powered systems. Also, the high-definition (1080i) video camera and still camera provide crisp video and photographs to
improve the detection and identification capabilities when surveying
rockfishes (genus Sebastes)
and cryptic invertebrates such as the endangered
white abalone (Haliotis sorenseni).
These features, combined with an integrated navigation system, full suite of oceanographic sensors, and relatively small footprint make this an ideal
platform for a wide variety of fisheries research and marine conservation applications from a range of survey vessels.
A CAD drawing (left) and photograph (right) of the new HDHV ROV.
Click
here
to download the full spec sheet.
For more information, contact Dr. Kevin Stierhoff
at the SWFSC.