64 



The equipment list in Table 2.7 demonstrates the wide range of capabilities 

 (i.e., functional capabilities) of these vehicles. BATFISH and CRAB are 

 relatively simple vehicles with television and side scan sonar capability. 

 Their functional capabilities are primarily to reconnoiter the bottom. The 

 remaining vehicles carry more sophisticated instrumentation and are , in some 

 instances, more specialized. They are discussed below. 



DEEP TOW - In addition to the equipment listed in Table 2.7, DEEP TOW can 

 accommodate a directional hydrophone , a conductivity meter, and a 

 nephelometer. DEEP TOW' s primary work task has been to conduct fine- 

 grained geological/geophysical investigations in deep ocean areas. Most 

 of this work has been directed toward basic research such as erosion 

 and sediment transport, investigation of small scale furrows near the 

 base of major slope areas, sand waves, large scale depressions and other 

 studies relating to the dynamics of the sea floor. Some aspects of 

 DEEP tow's work has been involved in investigation of wreckage and 

 straight- forward documentation of the nature of the sea floor (surveys) . 

 Other work includes chemical sampling in the vicinity of brime pits 

 and hydrothermal seeps, near-bottom plankton sampling, light scattering- 

 absorption measurements. 



DEEP TOW requirements are generated by the scientists who operate the 

 system. DEEP TOW is considered a better tool for investigations of small- 

 scale bottom features than conventional over-the-side or surface-oriented 

 techniques. It is not DEEP TOW per se which is funded, but the opportunity 

 to provide a more detailed investigation of the deep sea. Consequently, 

 the driving force behind funding DEEP TOW is not necessarily development 

 of technology, but it is the increase of scientific knowledge. 



RAIE I and II - Both vehicles are operated by CNEXO and both are solely 

 for research and survey of manganese nodules. RAIE I is used in scientific 

 studies; RAIE II, towed by a steel cable instead of an electromechanical 

 cable, is used for surveying nodule deposits. Since TV signals are not 

 in real-time, the resolution of the signal is not of high quality. 

 Photographs are preferred over video TV. 



Funds for these vehicles are provided by government and industry through 

 an organization called AFERNOD (Association for Study and Recovery of 

 Manganese Nodules) . 



RUFAS I and II - RUFAS I (Remote Underwater Fishery Assessment System) 

 was developed to accomplish the single objective of assessing calico 

 scallops in situ . It has been used in the Gulf of Mexico and the Bering 

 Sea for assessment of a variety of benthic organisms including scallops. 

 Because of its unique mission orientation, it was designed for shallow 

 water, near-bottom operation in relatively clear waters. 



RUFAS II is considered an extension of RUFAS I with increased depth 

 capability for benthic and mid-water organism assessment. Neither vehicle 

 is capable of sampling, but relies upon photographic and TV documentation. 

 RUFAS II is currently undergoing a number of modifications prior to 

 operational field application. 



