Deep Platforms

In service since 1999, Victor 6000 is a deep-water ROV remotely operated by cable.

Designed specifically for scientific oceanographic works, the submersible is equipped with a high-performance navigation system that comprises a range of sensors connected to an inertial navigation system. Its high-resolution optical imaging system (photo and video) ensures an optimal visual perception of the environment. Victor 6000 can also generate optical 3D reconstructions of the area under observation.

The remotely operated submersible Victor 6000 offers the scientific community a deep-water device (6000 metres) that can:

• Undertake operations to watch and explore;
• Study areas that require video and acoustic inspection;
• Manipulate objects and carry out physicochemical measurements in position; Sample water, sediment, and fauna;
• Undertake deep-water missions on, for example, shipwrecks.

Victor 6000 is a modular and remotely operated deep-water system fitted with instruments. It can generate high-quality optical imaging, as well as carry and operate a diverse range of scientific equipment and tools.

The submersible is connected to the ship by an electromechanical cable which is 8,000 metres long and supplies 20 kW of electrical power. Optical fibres in the cable send the data and image flows to the surface, thus providing the pilots and scientific teams with complete access.

The control room, housed in a 20’ container placed on the ship enables the submersible to be piloted in real-time. In theory, there is no limit to the duration of a dive, which means the pilots can adopt a 4-hour watch system (2 people per watch).

Characteristics:

• Working depth: 6,000 m Weight
• Weight: 4,600 kg
• Length: 3.07 m
• Height: 2.77 m
• Beam: 2.14 m
• Speed: 1 knot
• HD and 4k video camera system with turning system
• Wide range of interchangeable tools required by scientific teams for various applications
• 7-function manipulator arm
• Weight adjustment by means of a variable flotation system
• Integrated storage and processing system for data and video collected during and after diving

The submersibles Asterx and Idefx are autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV) designed for the scientific reconnaissance of continental shelves to a depth of 2,850 metres.

They perform dives without any physical connection to the surface vessel and do not require an operator. These medium-sized vehicles can deploy scientific payloads on sections of up to 100 km in length.

They have at their disposal a catalogue of payloads, including multibeam echo sounders, sub-bottom profilers, current profilers, CTD, magnetometers, and other “user” embarked equipment, which can be leveraged thanks to adaptable interfaces.

Their suitability for coastal vessels means they can be deployed quickly and at a reasonable cost.

In deep-sea contexts, they can be used to improve the efficiency of “heavy” submersibles (Victor 6000, Nautile) by generating high-resolution charts and data relating to diving targets.

Characteristics:

• Length: 4.5 m
• Diameter: 0.71 m
• Weight: 800 kg
• Working depth: IdefX: 2,850 m and AsterX: 2,650 m
• Speed: 2–5 knots (3kts optimal)
• Navigation system: Inertial, Doppler
• Communications: Acoustic modem
• Positioning: LF & MF USBL
• Li-ion batteries: 50 V/16 kWh with a maximum endurance of 16 hours
• Deployment: autonomous cradle Caliste
• Max section length: 100 km (depending on payload and depth)
• Navigation altitude when following the seabed: 10–100 m above the seabed
• Operating team: 3

The Nautile is a manned submarine that can dive to a depth of 6,000 metres with a crew of three.

It is one of the very few manned deep-sea submarines.

Three wide-angle viewports and LED searchlights provide a direct view of the seabed.

It could be used for:

• Surveying specific areas
• Collecting samples and using special tools
• Researching, locating, investigating, and assisting in the recovery of wrecks

The Nautile is a versatile vehicle that can be deployed quickly in difficult environments thanks to its capacity for providing a direct view of its surroundings and the absence of any physical link to the support vessel.

A dive can last up to eight hours, of which six can be spent working on the sea floor.

The relatively small size of the manned submarine Nautile belies its diving and carrying capacities.

It can be operated by any vessel equipped with a twenty-tonne stern gantry, such as RV Pourquoi Pas? and RV L'Atalante.

Characteristics:

• Max depth: 6,000 m
• Weight: 19 tonnes
• Length: 8 m
• Beam: 3.8 m
• Height: 2.70 m
• Speed: 1.7 knots
• Range: 10km
• Crew: 3 (1 pilot, 1 navigator, 1 passenger)
• Endurance: (at the seabed): 6 hours

The penetrometer PENFELD is a geotechnical measuring device.

Once in position on the seabed, it takes measurements in the sediment using a rod fitted with instruments.

The penetrometer’s maximum working depth is 6000 m.

It features a rod that penetrates the sediment to a depth of 30m and recently extended to 50m. The rod is 36 mm in diameter and is wound around a 2.20 m diameter drum. It is straightened during penetration using the coiled tubing technique.

A bearing cable connects the device to the vessel.

It is powered by pressure-equalizing lead batteries.

Characteristics:

• Maximum working depth: 6,000 m
• Maximum penetration depth of the rod: 50 m
• Weight in air: 50 m model = 9.3 t / 30 m model = 6.3 t
• Weight in water: 50 m model = 7 t / 30 m model = 4 t
• Rod equipped with measuring tip:
• CPT: tip
• VP tip
• Rod diameter: 36 mm
• Penetration force: 5 t
• Withdrawal force: 8 t
• Power: lead batteries
• Control: bidirectional acoustic link
• Range: A penetration of 150 m to 200 m per dive (depending on the condition of the batteries and the type of sediment).
• Inclination: 8° maximum

Kevlar cabled traction winch for deep-sea work up to 8000 m. Special assistance is needed with this equipment.

To achieve contamination free seawater sampling and sub sampling in order to measure low concentrations of trace metals in seawater. For this reason A full titanium Ultra Clean CTD-frame, an Ultra Clean Container for sub-sampling and an clean transportation system to the Clean Container were developed.

The Ultra Clean CTD Works normally in combination with the NIOZ Kevlar Cable Winch and GO-FLO CTD-bottles.

Norway’s new scientific remotely operated vehicle (ROV) has been christened Ægir, after the old Norse god of the sea, Being one of the few vehicles in the world able to dive as deeply as 6,000 meters

Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) are robot submarines, which are used to explore the world’s oceans without a pilot, or any tether. Before launch from the mother ship, the AUV’s computers are programmed with instructions of where to go, what to measure, and what depths to go to. With no link to the mother ship, all communications with the AUV are limited to using acoustics (sound) when the AUV is underwater (this typically has a range of a few km) or satellite communications (such as Iridium) can be used when the AUV is floating on the sea surface.