Review of
Underwater
Vehicles
Module 1, Section 1
Types of Underwater Vehicles
Types of Underwater Vehicles
Modern Underwater Vehicles
Manned Vehicles
Military
Unmanned Vehicles
Submarines
Submersibles
Atmosheric
Diving
Suit
(ADS)
ROVs
Research
Tourist
Subs
Free Swimming
Bottom Crawling
Insert Fig. 1.3 from text book
AUVs
Structurally
Reliant
Gliders
Hybrid Vehicles
Types of Underwater Vehicles
Manned Vehicles
 Unmanned Vehicles
 Non-Vehicles

Manned Vehicles

Submarines

Atmospheric Diving
Suit
Submarines
Military
 Research
 Tourist

Military Submarines
Classified by
Propulsion System:
 Nuclear
 Diesel-Electric
Classified by Mission
 Attack
 Missile
Research Submarines
Submersibles
 Smaller
 Carries 2 to 3
scientists

Tourist Submarines
Atmospheric Diving Suit
Resemble space
Suits
 One person
Submersible
 Expensive to
maintain

OceanWorks
Atmospheric Diving
Suit (ADS)
The best current
example of nonhyperbaric underwater
intervention.
The secret is in the
pressure balanced
joints.
Note claws and
limited visibility.
Unmanned Vehicles
ROVs
 AUVs
 Hybrid Vehicles

ROVs
Free-Swimming
 Bottom Crawling
 Structurally Reliant

Free Swimming ROVs
All are tethered
 Tether provides,
power and data
 Equipped with
video/TV Cameras
 Highly
maneuverable

Free Swimming ROVs
Heavy Duty Work
Class
 Work Class
 High-Capability
Electric
 Small (electric) ROV
Observation Class

Heavy Work Class



They primarily service the oil and gas industry
225 Horsepower - 2900 pounds of vertical lift
Multiple heavy tools
Work Class
Electro-Hydraulic
100-200 HP

Millennium
Drilling support,
Construction, Pipeline or
Inspection
High-Capability Electric





Compact work class
system
Not as powerful as
hydraulic
2000-4000 lbs
Payload 220-440 lbs
Depth capacity to
approximately 3,000’
Small (electric) ROV
(Observation Class)






Lower Cost
Usually less than 10
HP
Used for inspection
Observation
Search and Rescue
Scientific Exploration
Bottom Crawling ROVs
Large
 Heavily Weighted
 Used for trenching
and burying cable

500 Horsepower Cable and
Pipeline, Trencher
Structurally Reliant ROVs
Attached to various
types of underwater
structures
 Used for cleaning or
inspecting structure
they are attached to

AUVs
Autonomous Underwater Vehicles





Tether less
Carries own power
No pilot
Pre-Programmed
Easy Launch and
Recovery
Gliders

Require less stored
energy
Hybrid Vehicles
Nereus
 Can be operated as
an ROV or as an
AUV
 http://www.whoi.ed
u/home/interactive/
nereus/

Non-Vehicles
Underwater Habitats
 Tow fish
 Anchored Platforms

Underwater Habitats
Tow fish
Anchored Platforms