CHAPTER 13 — Mixed Gas Operational Planning
Change A 13-7
Occasionally, a mission is best undertaken with the aid of a remotely operated
vehicle (ROV). ROVs offer greater depth capabilities with less risk to personnel
but at the expense of the mobility, maneuverability, and versatility that only
manned operations can incorporate.
13-3.9.1
Types of ROV. There are two types of ROVs, tethered and untethered. Tethered
ROVs receive power, control signals, and data through an umbilical. Untethered
ROVs can travel three to five times faster than tethered ROVs, but because their
energy source must be contained in the vehicle their endurance is limited. ROVs
used in support of diving operations must have ground fault interrupter (GFI)
systems installed to protect the divers.
13-3.9.2
ROV Capabilities. Currently, much of the Fleet’s requirements for observation
diving are being met by using ROVs. They have been used for search and salvage
since 1966. State-of-the-art ROVs combine short-range search, inspection, and
recovery capabilities in a single system. A typical ROV system includes a control
and display console, a power source, a launch and retrieval system, and the vehicle
itself. Tethered systems are connected to surface support by an umbilical that
supplies power, control signals and data. Untethered search systems that will
greatly increase current search rates with extended endurance rates of 24 hours or
more are currently under development. Figure 13-2 shows a typical NAVSEA
ROV.
13-3.10
Diver’s Breathing Gas Requirements. In air diving, the breathing mixture is
readily available, although pump and compressor capacities and the availability of
back-up systems may impose operational limitations. The primary requirement for
Figure 13-2. Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) Deep Drone.
