Ocean Sciences and Exploration

It's in our DNA

Helping you do great research is what drives us. ROPOS is the product of over 25 years of collaboration with world leading ocean scientists, engineers, and students who continue to push its limits through innovative and ambitious projects. From fisheries surveys to the exploration of deep-sea hydrothermal vents, ROPOS and its team have “done it all” and are eager to share their experience to help you take on the next challenge.

ROPOS was designed from the ground up to excel at scientific research. It is known as the world’s most capable scientific submersible for its capabilities, versatility, and efficiency.
Our extensive experience working with the science community allows us to accurately translate your objectives into achievable goals that produce the results you expect.
ROPOS' high reliability allows us to continually focus on your objectives and to achieve the most with your limited time offshore.
Our skilled and professional operators will use all of their experience, imagination and can-do attitude to help you succeed in the most demanding of situations.

Imaging

Like the ocean, simply stunning

Equipped with state of the art HD cameras, a high-sensitivity full-frame 36.3 megapixel digital still camera and over 3700 watts of far-reaching lighting, ROPOS captures the stunning beauty of sub-sea environments in a wide-field of view that makes you feel as if you were there. Once at the surface, all video and images are geo-referenced and recorded in a digital format that can easily be used for anything from creating beautiful cruise highlights to detailed image analysis.

Tools and Sampling

A tool belt you can count on

ROPOS and its operators have built their reputation on the successful development, implementation and use of complex scientific and engineering tools for a wide range of seafloor tasks. From the brute strength of rock-cutting submarine chainsaws or jetting pumps to the most complex and delicate scientific apparatus, ROPOS has “done it all” and is always ready for a challenge. Find out how our custom sampling tools, such as the bio-box or suction sampler, can help you by visiting the Tools and Sampling section.


Data Management

A powerful tool to manage your data

A ROPOS expedition can involve 20 to 30 scientists, most of whom collect data, imagery, samples, and observations using an array of instruments and sampling devices. Efficiently managing and safely archiving massive amounts of data at sea is a challenge we take seriously.

Our Integrated Real-time Logging System (IRLS 2.0) is a powerful and intuitive annotation tool that brings together framegrabs, digital still pictures, and many other files with flexible organizational elements that create a dataset that is tailored to your needs; it helps you make the most of your time offshore and facilitates review and post-expedition analysis.

Navigation

Accuracy and repeatability

The ROPOS system is equipped with state of the art navigation sensors that are merged to deliver a best solution using our LOKI Kalman filter. With this geodetically accurate and repeatable sub sea positioning, ROPOS can safely and quickly complete challenging surveys and dives.

All of these sensors, systems and data are managed, shared and controlled using the SEA's Seascape and Workboat software suite. With these powerful tools, our navigators can handle any operational requirements, give you virtually any output, as well as insure that you, the bridge and the ROV pilots always have a real-time picture of the operations.


Control Lab

Several ways to work together

The ROPOS operations centre can be integrated on a ship either in a container, or in a lab space. The first approach is to load and install a pre-configured 20-foot container, which is a self-contained, climate-controlled operations centre on the deck of the ship. The second approach is for the operations centre to be set up in a lab space on the ship. This option requires additional time, as equipment needs to be moved into and set up in the allocated space. In both cases, in order to include a wider audience, there is also a remote lab option. The remote lab is a series of monitors and audio stations that can be set up at a separate location on the ship. The remote lab allows for viewing of all the principle ROV video feeds and supports bi-directional communication with the operations centre.

Manipulators

Handling the most complex tasks

When it comes to getting things done, from delicate sampling operations and difficult sub-sea connections to managing 300 lb instruments, ROPOS is equipped to handle it. Its two powerful and agile Shilling Robotics TITAN 4 7-function manipulators offer unparalleled controllability and responsiveness that allows our skilled operators to efficiently perform complex tasks in unstructured and challenging environments.

When it comes to getting things done, from delicate sampling operations and difficult sub-sea connections to managing 300 lb instruments, ROPOS is equipped to handle it. Its two powerful and agile Shilling Robotics TITAN 4 7-function manipulators offer unparalleled controllability and responsiveness that allows our skilled operators to efficiently perform complex tasks in unstructured and challenging environments.