Ever since 1966 when the U.S. Navy used a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to locate a bomb in the Mediterranean Sea, commercial entities with marine interests have begun utilizing these underwater robots for their own unique purposes. Hydro International published a piece highlighting some of the companies who are benefiting from the use of ROVs today. Let's take a look:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) – This organization is tasked with maintaining and inspecting the country's aquatic environmental resources, including Washington's Ice Harbor Lock and Dam. At more than 2,800 feet long and 100 feet high, the dam is important to local residents and businesses, providing hydroelectric generation, recreation and irrigation. By using their Fishers SeaLion ROV, the engineers can service the structure far more efficiently than they could without it.
VEIT – Since 1928, this company has been building its reputation as one of the Midwest's largest waste management companies. In addition to installing and maintaining utilities and providing foundation and excavation work, VEIT offers commercial diving services. By investing in its own Fishers SeaLion-2 ROV, the company can now perform underwater duties – marine construction and salvage and bridge and dam repair, to name a few – with much greater ease and efficiency.
Travis County Sheriff's Department – After sending their JW Fishers SeaOtter-2 ROV into a local lake, Texas officers were able to locate a missing boy in less than four hours. Lieutenant Joe Escribano told the source that the vehicle – which has a scanning sonar that can easily locate things in low-visibility environments – has saved hundreds of hours in searches for drowning victims and weapons.
With all the benefits that ROVs can bring to a variety of organizations with interests on the water, it's worth pointing out that ROV insurance is a great way to protect such a significant and worthwhile investment. By working with the right marine insurance agency, owners of these underwater vehicles can gain access to affordable coverage from the highest-rated providers in the industry.