40 



2.1.11.b Deck Space 



All industrial ROV systems are transported in one or several containers 

 or vans. Aboard ship the vans may serve as the vehicle control center 

 (containing control/display console, spares and power distribution unit) and 

 as a dark room/maintenance/repair facility. The standard air freight igloo 

 container (Type A-2) used by SCORPIO is 3.2m L x 2.2m W x 2.1m H (10.4 ft x 

 7.3 ft X 6.8 ft) and weighs 320kg (700 lbs) (empt^^ with a maximum loading 

 capacity of 5,900kg (13,000 lbs); it serves as the control center aboardship. 

 The igloo container is just one of many different shapes and sizes used by 

 ROV operators, consequently there is no standard size to work from when consid- 

 ering deck space requirements and tie-down locations. 



The amount of open deck space required depends on the vehicle system. The 

 components of TOM- 300 's system are shown in Plate 2.3; these consist of a 

 control van, maintenance/repair van, cable winch/storage bin, and the vehicle 

 itself. Not included in this plate is the crane for launching/retrieving the 

 vehicle. The total shipping volume of the TOM-300 system is 43m3 (1,483 ft-^) ;, 

 deck space required to accommodate this equipment is about 37m2 (400 ft^) . 

 This area does not account for the additional space required to site the 

 launch/retrieval crane and the cleared area required to maneuver the vehicle 

 aboardship and over the side. The range in ROV deck space requirements can 

 be appreciated by comparing TOM-300 with FILIPPO which has a total shipping 

 volume of approximately 0.4m3 (14.5 ft^) and requires deck space of approximately 

 0.7m2 (7.8 ft"). The vehicle specifications of Appendix C provide deck space 

 requirements, where available, for several vehicles; the average is about 

 49m2 (527 ft^) and, in the case of the CETUS system can reach a maximum of 

 156m2 (1,679 ft^) . In most instances the deck space requirements stated 

 in Appendix C do not account for the space required between the various com- 

 ponents, the cleared area required to swing the vehicle, and the lift crane. 



Although all vehicle manufacturers will provide a control van as an option, 

 many vehicles utilize enclosed ship space when it has suitable characteristics 

 in the way of space and cable routing accommodations. 



2.1.11.C Maneuverability 



Maneuverability requirements for the support vessel are to maintain a prescribed 

 position above the vehicle while it is operating. When the support platform 

 is moored, anchored or fixed to the bottom, the task is simplified. When 

 the ship is underway the task is difficult and is influenced by current and 

 wind velocity and the speed at which the ship can respond to course changes 

 while following a slowly-moving (generally 1 knot and less) vehicle. The route 

 deviation which the ship follows while maintaining station above or just off 

 to the side of the vehicle is referred to as the "ship print". According 

 to Skidmore and Bircham (1976) , a ship print in the order of 300m (984 ft) 

 radius is maximum when working with CONSUB 1. Conversely, Perry Oceanographies 

 recommends a ship print of 15m {49ft) maximum radius when live boating with 

 RECON V. 



