Development of full depth fiber optic cable ROV (UROV11K) system

The Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) developed the full depth ROV (remotely operated vehicle) UROV11K system. UROV system employed a single microfiber optic cable of 1 mm diameter to carry data telemetry and real time video images. The full depth ROV UROV11K system consists of newly developed full depth vehicle and ABISMO launcher. ABISMO launcher employed a primary cable of ROV KAIKO system. Total 20 km optic fiber cable stored by each spooler was mounted on the vehicle and ABISMO launcher. UROV11K system was designed to perform the scientific surveys at the full depth of 11,000 m. UROV11K sea trial was conducted in May 14, 2017 from the R/V Kairei in Mariana Trench, where the vehicle successfully performed scientific observation with real time 4K video camera images at full depth of 10,899 m. This paper describes an overview of the full depth ROV UROV11K system, advanced elements technologies and the sea trial result.