ROV Mantis: A dual-purpose underwater vehicle

This paper reviews the last two years operational deep-water performance record of two manned/unmanned tethered ROV Mantis vehicles. Deviations of the system as compared to conventional submersibles and remotely operated vehicles (ROV\´s) are discussed and evaluated. Applications and advantages of this system in support of deep-water operations are appraised. Results and observations concluded in this paper deal with the importance of having a man in the water, or at least available to go in the water, and also those circumstances which require a remotely operated system either for safety or total bottom time requirement. The significance of each mode of operation is examined. Observations and conclusions have been compiled from operational data collected during over 250 actual dives in deep-water work to depths of 2000 ft ( m).