AUV for Florida Keys Community College
OceanServer Technology, USA, has received a contract from Florida Keys Community College (FKCC) for an Iver2 AUV equipped with an L-3 Klein 3500 Side-scan Sonar. This purchase will provide students and researchers with a modern AUV platform to further ongoing academic initiatives in marine biology, underwater archeology and marine science.
The Iver2 AUV will also support studies in their worldclass Diving Business and Technology Programme and advanced underwater remote sensing projects. Equipped with a high-resolution CT Sensor by NBOSI, an ADCP Current Profiler by Sontek, and L-3 Klein Side-scan Sonar, the Iver2 AUV will provide new technology for studying marine and nautical archeology, bathymetry, target identification, and general data collection methods.
The AUV will supplement existing tools to provide environmental assessment and monitoring of the USS Hoyt Vandenberg, an artificial reef sunk in 2009 just off the coast of Key West, Florida. The Vandenberg is one of the largest artificial reefs in the world and offers divers an exciting look at the local marine life that has taken up refuge on this artificial reef. Situated within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, FKCC facilities provide year round access to miles of shoreline and an impressive five-acre Underwater Training Area (UTA) which will enable open-water AUV operations in a sheltered environment.