The increasing commercial use of autonomous underwater vehicles for subsea surveying tasks has led to the International Marine Contractors Association's (IMCA) publication of Considerations for the Safe Operations of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs).
"Aimed at those using AUVs in the offshore oil and gas and submarine cable industries, the new publication is intended to brief its readers on some of the basic aspects of safe AUV operations, including mission planning and launch and recovery," explained Jane Bugler, Technical Director of IMCA.
There are also sections on environmental considerations, power, on-site AUV maintenance, unplanned mission termination, manual handling and lifting; and on the competence and training of personnel.
"Many aspects of the operation of AUVs are similar to the operation of remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and therefore covered by other IMCA publications," said Ms Bugler.
"In addition to AUVs for commercial use there are a large number being used for scientific research and military operations, but consideration of such research and military use is beyond the scope of the publication, which is confined to the current commercial use of AUVs in the offshore oil and gas and submarine cable industries."
Copies of Considerations for the Safe Operations of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) can be purchased or downloaded from the IMCA website.