ROV Odysseus 6K

ROV Odysseus 6K is a remotely operated underwater vehicle designed and operated by Pelagic Research Services of South Wellfleet, Massachusetts. The ROV is named for Odysseus, protagonist of the Odyssey, and its maximum rated depth, 6,000 m (20,000 ft), measured as metre sea water.

ROV Odysseus 6K
Two men are preparing a remotely operated vehicle for an underwater expedition.
ROV pilot and engineers Kris Ingram and Paul SanAcore preparing ROV Odysseus (2017 configuration) for a dive on the West Florida slope. Image by Ralf Meyer, Green Fire Productions for NOAA
History
United States
NameROV Odysseus 6K
OwnerPelagic Research Services
OperatorPelagic Research Services
BuilderMPH Engineering
HomeportSouth Wellfleet, Massachusetts
General characteristics
TypeRemotely operated underwater vehicle
Length98 in (2,490 mm)[1]
Beam59+1⁄2 in (1,510 mm)[1]
Height88+1⁄4 in (2,240 mm)[1]
Propulsion25 hp (19 kW)[1] with 7 thrusters (4× lateral, 3× vertical)
Test depth20,000 ft (6,000 m)[1]

Design

The ROV is launched and recovered using an A-frame crane designed by Hydramec, and is connected to the host through 7,500 m (24,600 ft) of umbilical from Fibron.[2] Odysseus 6K is operated from the Odysseus Control Van, a converted 20 ft (6.1 m) intermodal container, which includes multiple monitors; optionally, the equipment can be brought aboard and operated from an interior room.[3]

There are seven hydraulic thrusters, with four horizontal (lateral) and three vertical. Maximum power output is 25 hp (19 kW), measured at the shaft.[4][5][1]

The ROV has a payload tray that measures 47+3⁄4 in (1,210 mm) W × 32 in (810 mm) L × 15 in (380 mm) H.[5][6] The tray can be extended using the onboard hydraulic system, and is intended for retrieving samples or carrying sensors and/or equipment.[5]

Updates

Pelagic initially purchased the H6500 ROV from Deep Ocean Exploration and Research (DOER Marine) and marketed its services as the Deep Water ROV System, with a rated maximum depth of 6,500 m (21,300 ft), in 2015. It was a modular system with a distinctive orange float; in its basic configuration, it could operate to a depth of 4,000 m (13,000 ft), limited by winch capacity; additional equipment was required for the deep-diving configuration.[7] H6500 measured 55 in (1,400 mm) W × 80 in (2,000 mm) L × 58 in (1,500 mm) H with a mass of 2,700 lb (1,225 kg) and a maximum payload of 110 lb (50 kg).[4][8] By October 2015, Pelagic had renamed the H6500 to Odysseus.[9]

Pelagic began sea trials with an updated, single-body Odysseus that year.[10] As completed in January 2017, the rebuilt Odysseus measured 55+1⁄2 in (1,410 mm) W × 93 in (2,400 mm) L × 83+1⁄4 in (2,110 mm) H with a mass of 3,128 lb (1,419 kg), and its maximum depth was de-rated slightly to 6,000 m (20,000 ft). The float is now yellow.[5][11] The updated Odysseus includes a welded aluminum frame that can lift more than 4,000 lb (1,800 kg) in its payload tray.[6]

Additional updates to equipment and structures have resulted in an increase in the mass, which is now 5,500 lb (2,495 kg). The yellow float has been retained, and a blue stripe bearing the name Odysseus has been added.[1]

Operating history

ROV Odysseus 6K has been used to survey deep-sea coral on the West Florida slope in 2017.[12]

On June 22, 2023, Odysseus 6K found a debris field left by the catastrophic implosion of the crewed submersible Titan, which had departed from its host ship, MV Polar Prince on June 18.[13] Odysseus was operating from AHTS Horizon Arctic.[14] The ROV was later used to recover debris from the wreck of Titan.[15]

References
  1. "Odysseus 6K detailed specifications". Pelagic Research Services. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  2. "6000-meter ROV Odysseus — Built for Science" (PDF). Pelagic Research Services. October 2021. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  3. "Odysseus 6K". Pelagic Research Services. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  4. "H6500 remotely operated vehicle". Pelagic Research Services. Archived from the original on June 28, 2015.
  5. "ROV Odysseus" (PDF). Pelagic Research Services. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
  6. "Pelagic Research Services (PRS) Redesigns its ROV System, Odysseus". Ocean News. 30 January 2017. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  7. "The PRS Deep Water ROV System". Pelagic Research Services. Archived from the original on March 14, 2015.
  8. "H6500". DOER Marine. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
  9. "The PRS Deep Water ROV System". Pelagic Research Services. Archived from the original on October 25, 2015.
  10. "Pelagic Research Services (PRS) 2015 — Inaugural Operational Year" (PDF). University–National Oceanographic Laboratory System. 2015. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
  11. "Odysseus Detailed Specifications". Pelagic Research Services. Archived from the original on June 30, 2017.
  12. Cassano, Edward; Brooks, Mallory; Fine, Leah; Geddes, Katie (August 23, 2017). "Illuminating the Deep: The ROV Odysseus". Ocean Explorer. National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  13. "Unified Command locates debris field near Titanic, continues ROV search efforts" (Press release). United States Coast Guard. June 22, 2023. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  14. Tenser, Phil (June 22, 2023). "Cape Cod company's ROV discovered debris from sub lost on Titanic expedition". WCVB 5 ABC News Boston. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  15. Thompson, Carolyn; Whittle, Patrick (June 30, 2023). "Recovering the Titan 12,500 feet underwater was dangerous, complex, emotional". AP News. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
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