Ocean Infinity has purchased two unmanned surface vehicles (USV) from ASV Global.
The additions will be used as auxiliary rapid response vehicles in the seabed exploration system. The USVs are being designed with a selection of sensors allowing for flexibility in differing operations, ASV noted.
Ocean Infinity will continue to use the USVs for positioning and monitoring of the autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV); HUGIN 6000 with IP mesh radio.
The acquisition brings the autonomous vehicle fleet to a total of 16; with eight AUV’s and eight USV’s. The autonomous vehicles will use InfinityView, a mission planning software, for individual missions allowing for simultaneous operations while in the water.
The USV and AUV systems are expected to be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2017. Prior to delivery, Ocean Infinity will begin sea trials on the simultaneous operation of multiple autonomous vehicles used in the exploration of the seabed.
This seabed exploration command and control system will be located on the 115-meter multipurpose offshore vessel equipped with two ROV’s and a 250 ton recovery crane.