Vehicle Technology Targets of Interest:
- AUVs & sensor package deployment systems
- ROVs (particularly 6000m model)
- Imaging & communications
- Data assimilation & processing
- Ocean observatory AUV docking stations
Summary of UVTC Activities:
ISE Explorer class AUV was delivered in July 2006. This vehicle has been named “Eagle Ray” after the graceful fish that is common in east coast waters and recognizing the vehicle's maneuvering ability and graceful movements. The vehicle is stored in a standard Conex container that was delivered to the AUV manufacturer (ISE) and used to ship the vehicle to the NURP center at the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) where it will be operated for the next year or more.
May 23-25, 2006 NIUST, the UVTC, and the West Coast and Polar Regions NURC co-sponsored a workshop at MBARI to promote the scientific use of AUVs and to provide potential users with an introduction to some of the considerations associated with their use. The workshop was divided into two parts: the first was a two-day short course on AUV engineering intended for AUV technicians, and the second was a 1-day seminar on the “Scientific Use of AUVs on the West Coast.”
On August 2-3,2006, the UVTC and NSF co-sponsored a workshop in Washington , D.C. on the use of remote platforms, including AUV's and gliders, to sample the challenging environment of Antarctica.
In addition to the Eagle Ray activities, the UVTC has been exploring the application of the HDTV system purchased in 2004 to vehicles in addition to the UCON Kraken. Discussions with OE and HBOI have led to plans for installing this powerful camera system on the OE ROV system as well as the Johnson Sealink submersibles. |
 Explorer-Class Deepwater AUV Eagle Ray
The National Institute for Undersea Science and Technology at The University Southern Mississippi has purchased a Explorer -class AUV ( Eagle Ray) from International Submarine Engineering of Port Coquitlam, BC (ISE, www.ise.bc.ca ). The NOAA Undersea Research Center at November 20, 2006 4:35 PMntil a support facility is built at USM located at Stennis Space Center , MS . When fully operational, the vehicle will be available through the NURP Center 's peer review process, for NIUST programs, and for projects that serve NOAA's priority mission goals. Click here for a more detailed description of the vehicle.
 A recent multibeam survey map of the area known as the ‘Georgetown Hole' – a fishing area off Georgetown , SC.
Min depth about 140m in the upper left-hand corner. Max depth ~240m in the deep blue hole.
Altitude of MB sonar, 50m
Time on survey ~22 hours
Survey area 5km x 2km
Speed 1.5 m/sec
|
