Marvels of Science: Probing the Depths

By Mr Ghaz, February 7, 2010

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Marvels of Science: Probing the Depths

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On September 1, 1985, 400 miles southeast of Newfoundland, video screens on board the U.S Navy research vessel Knorr picked up a large metal object. It was clearly a boiler of a large steamship-but no ordinary ship. Scientists on the Knorr had found the wreck of the ill-fated Titanic, 73 years after it had collided with an iceberg and sunk, with the loss of 1, 500 lives.

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The extraordinary discovery was made possible by ARGO, ANGUS and ALVIN, three underwater robots. They are just part of the wide range of mechanical substitutes for human divers developed for marine research and exploration by a sophisticated technology.

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The advantages of these submersibles, as they are called, are considerable. They record, and relay detailed video images of object found on the seafloor; some of the cameras they carry a so sensitive they produce clear pictures under condition where human eye cannot see at all.

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Broadly, undersea craft are divided into two categories: manned vehicles and remotely operated vehicles, or ROV’s. Some are free swimming, powered by batteries. Others are tethered on the mother ship by an umbilical cord – a line composed of a suspension wire and electric cables that power the thrusters, lights, camera gear, and special tools. Manned vehicles carry, in addition, hoses for eating and an air supply for to crew.

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Submersibles were developed to offer more range and endurance than that of human divers, who can operate safely at a maximum depth of approximately 1, 000 feet. A manned submersible protects its crew from the armful effect of high pressure and rapid changes in pressure, so what divers can move to different depths in total safety.

The ROV has gained increasing popularity recent years. Since it carries no crew, it can operate for indefinite periods at no risk to human life.

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Deep Sea-Eyes: Taking the photographs – indeed the discovery of the Titanic itself in September 1985 – was made possible by submersibles, such as the small remote-controlled camera platform Jason, Jr. (below). Originally attached to a larger submersible. Jason was directed to go inside the bulk, take pictures, and relay them back to a U.S. Navy ship on the surface.

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Useful Aids

Submersibles are used in all areas of underwater research and industry. They called mineral samples from the seabed to help in the search for valuable ores and metals. Sonar-equipped vehicles are used to monitor fish stocks by measuring the size of different shoals. In one recent mapping project, a sonar ROV surveyed 250,000 square miles of seabed in only 102 days.

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The size of submersibles varies. Typically, a manned craft is about 28 feet long, carries a crew of three, can dive to a depth of about 3,000 feet. ROV’s, on the other hand, tend to be smaller averaging averaging about six feet in length, but they can operate at much greater depths.

Automatic Dexterity

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Until recently, the main disadvantage of both types of submersible was that they lacked the manual dexterity of a human diver. But modern technology has devised a substitute, arm called manipulators.

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The arms are equipped with a variety of tools, depending on the type of work required. Motor-driven wrenches, screwdrivers, and cutting gear can be complemented by hydraulic gripping claws much stronger than a human hand. The vehicle may also carry ultrasonic probes to detect corrosion in welds and steel structures

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The offshore oil industry has been a major beneficiary of the new technology. As shallow-water oil fields become depleted and greater depths must be explored, the use of human divers has become increasingly expensive and dangerous. Submersibles may soon be the only means used in the exploration, construction, and maintenance of deep-water oil platforms. Sophisticated ROV’s will do the job, and men will no longer have to risk their lives to reap the rich harvests under the sea.