INTRODUCTION 



Any discussion on the research and development of work systems must begin with 

 an understanding of the tasks to be accomplished. The ultimate objective of the systems 

 and components discussed in this paper is to perform useful work in the sea. Therefore, 

 knowledge of both the undersea environment and the required tasks is paramount in plan- 

 ning and conducting a research and development program for underwater work systems. 



TASKS 



The tasks that most strongly affect the development of underwater systems are as 

 follows: 



SEARCH - to find lost items, locate work sites, and survey seafloor areas 



INSPECTION - to classify detected targets, monitor continuing operations, define 

 the integrity of structural components or pipelines, detect leakage of pollutants, and record 

 the condition of objects, e.g., ships, aircraft, and canned waste, on the seafloor 



RECOVERY - to attach lifting devices, cut away moorings or clutter, and provide 

 vertical and horizontal lifting forces to effect transport of objects from the seafloor to the 

 surface 



ASSEMBLY, MODIFICATION, OR REPAIR - to conduct work on objects on the 

 seafloor or within the volume, assemble parts, and effect repairs, improvements, or 

 alterations 



NEUTRALIZATION - to modify objects (possibly by explosive means) to render 

 the site safe for future operations, e.g., mine clearance or removal of obstructing wreckage. 



