Anew investigation will see a Remotely Operated Vehicle investigate a downed historic vessel, BBC News recently reported. The source said that the University of the Highlands and Islands will work with marine technology group Seatronics to search for important details surrounding the wreckage of the British Navy's HMS Hampshire.
"Our aim is to use our Predator inspection-class ROV to survey the wreckage along with the latest 2D and 3D scanning technology to identify key areas of interest, providing informative imagery and insight into the current conditions of the site," said Alistair Coutts, Senior Sales and Business Development Manager at Seatronics, according to the BBC.
"The ship was originally built in 1905."
Originally built in 1905, the ship sank when it struck a mine off the northeast Scottish coast in 1916, according to New Historian. Famous military leader Lord Kitchener was among the 737 souls onboard who didn't survive. Now that a century has passed since the vessel's sinking, the new effort is meant to provide more information on the state of the wreckage and its location.
New Historian also said that the HMS Hampshire lies some 200 feet underwater, in a "sizable debris field." Researchers will observe the ship wreckage itself, as well as the possible damage it's received over the years from both the environment and previous salvage efforts.
The Predator II vehicle Seatronics will use is rated for 300 meter dives, and features four forward thrusters as well as one vertical thruster, according to the vehicle specs.
ROV operators and the equipment they use may need to be equally insured before a risky mission. Since these systems are often used to reach difficult areas, they need to be ready for many risks, and experienced insurance providers have a better chance of knowing how to cover them.