Through collaborating with commercial diving companies over the years, AUS-ROV has been able to access some intrinsically difficult to reach places. Subsea Global Solutions (formerly Gray Diving Services) are one outfit that have recognised the value in collaboration between diver and remote operated vehicle, in fact the US Navy have in recent years adopted the SRS Fusion being a hybrid ROV/AUV which also can be used as a Diver Navigation & Propulsion System. There remains a robust relationship between man and machine, one prime example is the use of diver and inspection class ROV for conduction internal surveys of tunnels and pipelines with access hatches or grates. Divers can be utilised for means of accessing underwater confined spaces however the hazards once inside pose too high a risk and physical challenge to warrant performing the inspection much beyond this point. This is where the advantages of ROV can be exemplified. In the instance of Cascade Dam, a diver was deployed to unbolt a hatch which then allowed an ROV to enter into a 400mm diameter scour pipeline and conduct internal visual inspection up to the downstream valve at a distance of approximately 220m. Both Diver and ROV have their uses in modern day underwater operations and we will continue to see this symbiotic relationship in years to come.

Desilting stormwater pipelines presents its own set of challenges for councils and state asset owners. One difficulty is providing companies with accurate quantification and composition of sediment accretion within pipelines, culverts and tunnels. AUS-ROV has developed systems which allow for accurate 3D modelling within conduits to enable stakeholders to assess the quantity of sediment within their water infrastructure. These surveying techniques can then be repeated periodically or after contractors complete pigging or desilting in order to guage the extent or success in removing foreign debris and sedimentation. Comparitave reporting can inform asset management of rates of accretion or assist in developing an understanding of the effects of storm, flood or tidal surge mechanisms. AUS-ROV’s specialist engineers, with decades of experience in stormwater and coastal engineering, can provide clarity on the general internal condition of conduits in what is otherwise typically a difficult asset to manage with traditional diving and confined space entry.

AUS-ROV carried out an ROV GVI and CP Survey of Seqwater’s Dam at Lake Wivenhoe in South East Queensland. The cathotic potential survey measured the potential in submerged structural steel elements to support GHD consulting engineers deliver their assessment. AUS-ROV's is a world leader in the water sector for delivering advanced technological robotic solutions for infrastructure inspection.

AUS-ROV utilised their 5km military grade fiber optic tether and the SRS Fusion ROV to inspect a 1500m intake tunnel in Adelaide, South Australia. The SRS Fusion ROV is fitted with a suite of advanced sensors and technology that enables this system to capture extremely accurate spatial data, high definition video, side scan sonar and forward facing multibeam sonar imagery all factory integrated into a compact battery powered hybrid ROV/AUV. AUS-ROV’s specialist long distance tunnel inspection team have successfully executed another long distance tunnel inspection in South Australia.

Small diameter pipelines can be a difficult type of infrastructure to internally inspect. The nature of pipelines tightly enclosed confined space environment and in-line obstacles such as valves, bends, junctions, tapers and internal foreign objects or blockages, requires inspection service providers to carry a multitude of different technology sensors, CCTV cameras, remote operated systems and inspection devices to cover the diverse range of infrastructure inspection scenarios encountered on routine inspection projects across industrial sectors throughout Australia and the Asia Pacific. AUS-ROV utilises a pushrod cctv camera when inspection methodology is governed by access limitations. In this inspection at the Agnes Water Desalination Plant, AUS-ROV was able to insert a camera into a 400mm diameter pipeline and negotiate three large radial bends before travelling a further 50m up the pipeline to inspect the internal condition. AUS-ROV maintains its commitment to our clients in that we will go out of our way to offer whatever is required to achieve a successful outcome for any inspection project.

AUS-ROV’s continues partnership with Sydney Water to assist in delivering high quality safe drinking water to Australia’s largest city of over 5.23 million people. Our potable water inspection ROV systems are providing the highest level of detail and critical information for the safe operation and delivery of Sydney’s drinking water from Palm Beach to Gerringong to the Blue Mountains. When you go to the tap for a glass of water, rest assured that AUS-ROV have had their inspection systems inside the tank that delivers to your tap. Our professional personnel, advances robotic systems and strict disinfection procedures guarantees the highest level of details are provided to Sydney Water to enable their team to make precise and informed decisions on the management of the city’s most important assets.

Inside the incredible lost shipwreck of an Australian freighter torpedoed by a Japanese submarine during World War II as it's discovered 77 years later

• SS Wollongbar II found by local fishing community off NSW mid-north coast

• Freight vessel destroyed by Japanese torpedoes, killing 32 people on-board

• Ship was carrying butter and bacon when it was destroyed in 1943

• SS Wollongbar's load washed up on shore sparking a boom in cake making

AUS-ROV has long partnered with Origin to perform ROV inspection services on water assets. Over the years there is one thing that always stands true in every aspect of their operations… SAFETY FIRST. The culture of safe work is deeply embedded in the daily activities of each and every staff member at Origin and through setting such examples, AUS-ROV has been able to constantly improve not only our Safety Management Systems but also ingrain safety into the minds of our personnel so that we stay switched on not only at work, but in everything we do. ROVs are a safe and reliable way of eliminating risk to personnel entering confined spaces. Prioritising elimination of the risk is the safest way of getting the job done.

AUS-ROV was engaged by an energy generation company to takeover an inspection that was attempted by a third party dive contractor who was unfortunate to proceed with an inspection of a 900m length of tunnel with an unproven ROV. By splicing copper umbilical beyond the effective limit of copper data transmission the ROV lost comms and became lodged when the dead sub was being retrieved via it’s umbilical. AUS-ROV was contacted by the energy generator and mobilised to Mount Beauty in Victoria that week. AUS-ROV recovered the lodged ROV and completed the inspection flawlessly. We are professional and experienced in everything we do and repeat business is not an objective but a pleasure. We look forward to supporting our energy sector clients throughout the operational lifetime of AUS-ROV.

AUS-ROV have been inspecting dam structures in South East Asia for many years and understand the value in confirming not only structural integrity, but design and dimensional details as well. Dam safety is a critical consideration for owners of these assets and given the recent increase in catastrophic failure of a number of dams around the world, it makes sense to utilise evolving remote technology which can assist in understanding the current condition of water assets and potentially preempt an unwanted event. AUS-ROV provides ROV inspection services to WaterNSW who own and operate 42 dams across New South Wales, a number of which we have been inspected with using our Remotely Operated Underwater Vehicles.