127 



Activity 

 Complete first testing of prototype in shallow 

 water using R/V Edgerton 



Test Optical system in shallow water 



Redesign based upon first testing 



Second testing in deep water (aboard WHOI 

 vessel) 



Test optical system in deep water (aboard 

 WHOI vessel) 



Final design and testing of both acoustic 

 and optical systems 



Final testing of acoustic and optical systems 



5.3 DIVER ASSIST VEHICLES 



Projected 

 Time Schedule 

 Fall 1979 - Spring 1980 



Fall 1979 - Spring 1980 

 Winter 1979 - Summer 1980 

 Spring - Fall 1980 



Spring - Fall 1980 



Summer - Winter 1980 



Winter 1979 - Winter 1980 



There are two programs aimed at enhancing the capabilities of ROVs as diver 

 assistance vehicles. The first is being carried out by Dragerwerk AG/ZF, the 

 second by the Office of Ocean Engineering, NOAA. 



5.3.1 Dragerwerk System 



This work is funded by the European Economic Community (EEC) . The work is 

 being conducted by Dragerwerk AG/ZF, Herion-System, Technik and has as its goal 

 the development of a diver assistance vehicle for underwater inspection and 

 maintenance duties. The project will develop an underwater support vehicle 

 capable of providing electrical, hydraulic and pneumatic energy, to hold various 

 inspection and work tools and aid communication between divers and the topside 

 supervisor. The purpose of the vehicle is to increase diver efficiency.-'- 

 No further details are available. 



5.3.2 Office of Ocean Engineering, NOAA 



The Office of Ocean Engineering's program is aimed at conceptual configurations 

 of a Remotely Operated Diver Assist Vehicle (RODAV) designed for assistance in 

 NOAA-related diving activities. Since a major portion of NOAA diving is 

 scientifically-oriented, the RODAV should differ from a commercially-oriented 

 vehicle in several respects. 



The first step of this program involves an analysis of all operations and tasks 

 now performed by NOAA divers to define precisely what is being done, how 

 frequently, and to what degree of success. The objective is to rank the various 

 tasks in an order of priority and to identify areas where the diver's performance 



'-Ocean Industry, October 1978 



