The Millennium Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV)

The star of the show aboard R/V Thompson is the Millennium Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) from Oceaneering International. With a cost in the millions of dollars, the Millennium Plus is a 220 horsepower work class ROV equipped with two seven function manipulator arms, 2000 pounds of thrust in all ranges of motion, and a depth rating of 10,000 feet.

The Millenium Rov being delivered.

The ROV housed in its cage is lifted by winch off the aft port section of the deck of R/V Thompson and lowered by a 9,000 foot cable that not only supports it, but houses its power, communication, and video feeds. Millennium separates from its cage, when in position, by moving out of its open end. The cage acts as a garage for Millennium absorbing the motion of the ship while paying out 4,000 feet of tether allowing the ROV to make excursion runs on the ocean floor.

Oceaneering is a global oil field provider that is involved with all facets of deep water work. The mission aboard R/V Thompson is unique in that in the coming days Millennium will be tasked with servicing Ocean Networks Canada underwater observatory conducting repairs, laying the “wire” for Wiring the Abyss, and deploying scientific instruments. We are excited about this ROV system and can’t wait to use it. A new Millennium is upon us.

by Marty Momsen