ROVas, a Norway based underwater inspection and service company, has been using SeaBotix MiniROVs since 2006. Their LBV300-5 has logged over 4,000 hours and is still very active in their operations.
ROVas uses SeaBotix MiniROVs to perform a variety of functions from inspection of nets, water treatment plants, mooring lines and power plant dams, to retrieving seabed samples in confined spaces down to 300 m (1,000 ft) depths.
“The SeaBotix Little Benthic Vehicles can crawl into areas too confined for divers, such as small channels and tunnels (without draining). Because of their portable size and weight, they are easy to ship thus reducing costs to mobilize,” said Robert Olsen, ROVas General Manager . “In some cases, we have even delivered the MiniROV via helicopter.”
“The LBV is a simple design, easy to maintain and is able to perform inspections while in motion.” In addition, “SeaBotix MiniROVs are environmentally safe, as they do not stress the fish with too much noise or excessive lights. The vehicles are also non-polluting, the volume and type of oil used does not contaminate the fish. This is important to the fishing industry in Norway, as regulations are very strict – like people working with food in kitchens.” Olsen further explained, “In addition to inspections, we have used the LBV to cut fishing lines that got caught in ship propellers.”
“The LBV300-5 is a good size for fresh water and the additional power and features of the vectored vLBV opens up more opportunity in the Oil & Gas industry where we perform cable inspections.”
ROVas has completed dives lasting up to 27 hours of inspection, covering 20,000 feet of cables, in currents up to 0.7 knots with significant waves at 3 m (9.8 ft). Robert stated that the vLBV fights currents and they have taken it to 750 m (2,460 ft).
Robert Olsen summarized, “Very good, stable platform that is versatile for many applications and so easy to transport.”
Press Release, June 17, 2014