Mariscope Meerestechnik, a german company that has been a pioneer for more than 25 years in the development of underwater robotic solutions, and specialized in underwater systems integration customized to customer´s needs, has incorporated to his offer the Commander MK III Off-Shore, a new equipment with very special features.

This vehicle was designed, developed and manufactured to carry out Off-Shore special tasks, and later adapted to other activities such as aquaculture for biofouling process control related tasks.

The world, in the context of a global pandemic like the one that exists today, raises the need to generate systems and work procedures that take into account the operational aspects and restrictions that such a situation imposes. One of them is the need to reduce or limit close interpersonal contacts or complex logistics, but still maintaining the ability to perform the required work.

In another aspect, the observed resilience and environmental recovery capacity in many areas in a very short period of time raise the need to improve no only the efficiency of the operations themselves but also the results obtained, in order to try to reduce the impact of resumption of human activity in these ecosystems.

The use of state-of-the-art technology that generates more efficient work systems, reduction of operation times, or the use of tools with less environmental impact, contribute to this objective.

This development has as its starting point the company´s renowned Commander MK III, an ROV that has become a robust and complete multitasking platform, whose combination of features, price, performance and operational efficiency is unique for vehicles of this category.

Equipped with the same 6 vectorized thrusters from the original model, this ROV can move faster than 5 knots maintaining its manoeuvrability. Its electric thrusters, which do not require coolants, are maintenance-free with continuous work capacity (24/7).

One of the aspects that characterize this equipment is that it allows non-destructive measurements and cleaning work to be carried out in the same operation and using the same operating platform. Also, its size and design allow a simple deployment and recovery, thus reducing the logistical requirements for this works.

It is equipped, in one end, with UTM (Ultrasonic Thickness Measurement) and UCP (Underwater Corrosion Probe) probes that allow thickness and cathodic protection measurements in submerged structures, with real-time visualization of the results.

In the other end, it has a cavitation cleaning unit with a new multi-nozzle head (MNH). Cavitation cleaning is highly efficient both in the cleaning process as in delaying the refouling process on the cleaned surfaces. Using innovative technology such as MNH head improves, even more, the efficiency of the cleaning process.

Both end´s accessories are mounted on external tilting frames controlled from the surface by the operator, allowing to work not only in horizontally but in any direction (even upwards).

The possibility to work in such a wide range of direction allows the cleaning of off-shore and port structures, as well as even boat hulls.

This ROV has a completely symmetrical design, with the same front and back Full HD cameras, lighting and their tilting mechanisms. This allows cleaning and measurements processes to be carried out and controlled with real-time high definition image.

The use of this kind of technology can help to reduce operating times and simplify logistics since instead of requiring a complex diving operation, a trained operator can perform these tasks from his control command.

Also, the realization of these works has an economic and environmental effect, as it happens with the reduction of fuel consumption of boats due to the removal of fouling of the hulls.