The Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (Nederlands Instituut voor Zeeonderzoek; NIOZ) recently placed an order for a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) that can conduct measurements and other vital tasks on the sea floor.
The three-metre long, 4.5-tonne ROV will be equipped with six high-resolution underwater cameras and manipulator arms, making it ideal for scientific research at depths of up to 6,000 metres.
NIOZ has contracted Norwegian technology firm Kystdesign to build the ROV. Delivery is scheduled within two years.
Other features of the craft will include a vacuum tube to suck up small sea creatures, 3D scanning equipment, multi-beam seabed mapping instruments, sample collection equipment, and sensors for taking the temperature of deep-sea hydrothermal vents.
The ROV will be deployed aboard the NIOZ's future research vessel Anna Weber-van Bosse, which is under construction at Spain's Armon Shipyard and is scheduled for delivery later this year. The vessel will be fitted with a specialised winch and crane for deployment and recovery of the ROV.