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HARBOR BRANCH ENGINEERING - SKILLS & SERVICES<
[ WATER TUNNEL HYDRODYNAMICS ] [ LARGE SCALE FABRICATION ] [ ROV SYSTEMS ] [ ROV COMPONENTS ] [ AUV SYSTEMS ] [ AUV COMPONENTS ] HBED - ROV TECHNOLOGY
A historical review of HBOE&P ROV technology would have to start with the development of the two CORD (Cable Operated Remote Device) ROV systems. The first CORD vehicle was built in 1973, well before the name of these systems was commonly accepted as ROV. At that time, the US Navy funded the only other ROV systems in existence. The CORD vehicles were designed to conduct limited science related tasks, but their primary mission was to act as a standby emergency rescue system for the Johnson Sea Link submersibles. The vehicle was similar to the current WHOI ROV "Jason" in that it had a fixed length of tether connecting the vehicle 
to a disc shaped depressor. The ROV was latched to the depressor during descent to depth
where it was released to conduct operations. The umbilical to the depressor was only 3/8
inch in diameter. The combination of heavy depressor and small low drag cable allowed the
CORD to work effectively in the Gulf Stream currents. This design insured the rescue of the
JSL in even The worst current conditions. In fact, the last mission the CORD conducted was
to locate and identify components of the ill-fated Space Shuttle Challenger. The
larger ROVs on site at the time could not effectively penetrate the Gulf Stream currents. The
two CORD ROVs were operated until around 1985. One of them is currently undergoing restoration
for exhibit in the new Engineering ROV/AUV facility which is currently under construction.
Deep Sea Systems Inc. (DSSI) and HBOE&P built two deep water (5,000 foot) versions of DSSI
Mini Rover MK II that were configured to operated from the JSL submersibles. These ROVs
complement science operations and are capable of aiding in assessment of situations should
the JSL become entangled during a dive. Therefore helping the pilot take action to free the
sub. These systems have been upgraded and modified to operate from the JSL or independently.
The systems currently are used independently to support operations in the 0-1,000 depth ranges.
One of which was used on the 1993 Expedition to the Luisitania with National Geographic and
Bob Ballard, along with WHOI's ROV "Jason" and the Delta manned submersible. These systems
have conducted numerous science related and TV production operations including Gulf of Mexico,
California coast, Florida coast, Ireland and Palau.
In 1985, HBOE&P started the development of a large ROV system consisting of the same proven science tools that gave the JSL submersibles their renowned level of capability. Although capable of conducting a number of different types of science, the primary task of this ROV was to perform biomedical collection for the HBOI Sea Pharmaceutical division. An International Submarines Engineering (ISE) Inc. ROV, a "HYSUB 40", was selected as the base for development primarily because of its relatively low cost. In the initial configuration the ROV had a depth capacity of 1,000 meters. HBOE&P made a progression of upgrades to the system to enhance its ability to conduct science. The finished product was named SCOOP (Scientific Collection and Observation Platform). The Hysub 40 was designed to support ROV subsea drilling and construction for the oil industry. Reconfiguration to support scientific collection included the same suite of tools used on the JSL submersibles, as well as additional features. 
The modifications made by HBOE&P engineering included:
Operational capability is just as important as technical assets. HBOE&P combined years of JSL operational experience, years of non-scientific ROV operational experience, and considerable at-sea operations to perfect ROV operations to support scientific missions. This operational experience is reflected in the design of our ROV systems and tools. We offer our clients this knowledge as part of our ROV technology. The SCOOP ROV was the forerunner of a number of current ROVs used for science. HBOE&P consulted to Monterey Bay Aquatic Research Institution (MBARI) prior to their investment in ROVs. After a number of visits by MBARI engineers to HBOE&P to work with our SCOOP (Hysub 40), MBARI purchased a Hysub from ISE which had a greater depth range than the HBOE&P vehicle. MBARI purchased from HBOE&P all the science tools such as the sample collection systems, lasers, detritus traps, slurp guns etc. This system is now the MBARI "Vantana". The ROPOS ROV is also a direct evolution of the SCOOP. 
The next major example of HBOE&P ROV technology was the design, fabrication, and operation of
the "rescue and support ROV". This system replaced the CORD ROV systems with new technology
and increased capability. The system was designed and built by HBOE&P Engineering as an
extremely reliable system capable of working in high currents. This system included a portable
control van, winch, umbilical, launch and recovery system (LARS), and tether management
system (TMS) as well as the ROV. The winch, LARS, TMS, and ROV are all capable of being
placed on one skid. The skid can then be lifted as one single unit. Mobilization only
requires welding down the skid via sacrificial angles, which are bolted to the skid and runs
one cable from the winch to the control van. This system has been in operation since March
1992, and has proven to be very reliable and maintainable by the JSL crew. The vehicle is
capable of four knots of forward speed from a 25 horsepower electrohydraulic unit.
Another prime example of HBOE&P ROV technology is the design, fabrication, test, and delivery
of a custom precision dredging ROV for Orange County Water District (OCWD) in California, USA.
They required the development of a system that would remove silt from the bottom of reservoirs.
The silt prevented the water from reaching the natural aquifer that provides water to the area
via wells. HBOE&P engineering patented a dredging process that allows selection of particle
sizes (silt) to be collected while leaving larger material (sand) behind. The ROV to
transport, control, and power the precision dredge is all electric (no hydraulics),
100-horsepower, and 11,000 lbs. in air weight. It runs on preprogrammed track lines without
the aid of pilot control. The system uses advanced telemetry and graphical user interfaces
developed by HBOE&P. The system was a $1.4 million dollar project that was completed in 1998.
HBOE&P was fortunate enough to win this contract against competitors such as Oceaneering,
Sonsub, Perry Tritech, and Sound Ocean Systems.
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HARBOR BRANCH Ocean Engineering and Prodution has a long history of designing and operating
ROV systems for scientific use and support. Though out the thirty-year history of HBOE&P the
engineering division and the marine operations division have worked hand in hand to develop,
test and continually refine subsea systems in order to insure successful execution of science
work at sea. These efforts include the development of the following:
• Observation/Search ROV Brochure - 252k download