Tiburon: development of an ROV for ocean science research

The Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) is developing Tiburon, a new remotely operated vehicle (ROV) capable of scientific investigations at 4000 meter depth. Tiburon will be the heart of an innovative oceanographic research platform based on the Small Water Plane Twin Hull research vessel Western Flyer, now under construction. Tiburon represents a synthesis of innovations in ROV technology. Features include brushless DC servo thruster motors, a variable buoyancy system, high performance lighting and video, with support for quantitative data gathering, and an interchangeable toolsled concept. A prototype vehicle has been built and tested, and the final vehicle build is under way. The completed system will start sea trials following delivery of the Western Flyer in late 1995. This paper describes the mission objectives that Tiburon will address and the technical solutions adopted to meet them. A cooperative relationship between MBARI and the Institut francais de recherche pour l´exploitation de la mer (IFREMER), where a similar ROV is being developed, is also be described