CEFAS26-06 Contract for an inspection-class Remotely Operated Vehicle with fibre-optic capability for seabed imagery research

Cefas requires one complete, fibre-optic-capable, inspection-class ROV system, depth rated to 300m, built on open-source or open-architecture hardware and software. The system will be operated from Research Vessel Cefas Endeavour and will:

• Collect high-definition, quantitative video and imagery of the seabed, including over rugged and complex terrain, using automatic depth / altitude holding, heading and altitude control.
• Integrate a survey-grade subsea imaging system (i.e. inclusive of water corrected optics and enhanced capture controls) or computational / machine vision-based subsea imaging system (i.e. with onboard image processing and controlled illumination) with independent digital video recording (DVR) and media management system, to provide continuity and interoperability with Cefas BAU seabed imaging systems and specific scientific programme requirements.
• Provide an open, documented and expandable platform for integrating additional third-party sensors (for example stereo cameras, lasers, sonar and positioning systems) without dependence on a single supplier.
• Be maintainable by Cefas engineering staff, with no recurring licence or subscription costs needed to operate the system.

The Supplier will supply, integrate, factory test, deliver, commission and provide training for the ROV system.

•The system will be a commercially available, production-level inspection-class ROV system (not a one-off prototype), with evidence of comparable systems in operational use and with off the shelf fibre-optic multiplexing designed for high bandwidth imaging sensors.

•The system will be surface-powered.

•All subsea components, including the vehicle, multiplexor, tether, connectors, camera, lights and sensors, will be rated to an operational depth of 300m .

•The system will use open-source or open-architecture vehicle control and telemetry, with documented interfaces, and will not rely on proprietary, locked or subscription-based software or hardware to operate, maintain or integrate third-party sensors.

•The system will support fibre-optic telemetry. The vehicle will also have capability to operate on a copper tether, giving flexibility across vessel and deployment configurations.

•The system will be deployable and recoverable from RV Cefas Endeavour by hand or with the vessel's existing deck cranes or A-frame, without a dedicated launch and recovery system or tether management system (TMS).

•The system will be suitable for continuous offshore use in a marine environment (temperature, humidity, salt spray, vibration and vessel motion) and will be supplied in rugged, transportable cases.

•All electrical and mechanical components will be supplied new, with a warranty of at least 12 months starting from the date of successful Site Acceptance Testing.

•Full wiring diagrams, interface control documents and parts lists will be provided, so that Cefas engineers can carry out first-line maintenance and fault-finding. Systems that non-specialist engineers can easily maintain, using off-the-shelf spares, are preferred.