Expedition Yacht Equipped with Falcon Robot
A Saab Seaeye deep-rated Falcon robot has been chosen for expedition yacht Dapple as a standby rescue resource for emergency recovery of its manned submersible. In addition, the 1,000 metre-rated Falcon comes fully equipped for a wide range of scientific research and survey operations.
Dapple’s dive manager, Marc Taylor, commented that the Falcon is a proven commercial choice, so fits their criteria: “and it makes sense because we already have a Falcon aboard another vessel in our fleet.”
Operators worldwide favour the Falcon, a small, intelligent robot with the power and task range typically found in much larger systems. Not only can owners view underwater from aboard the yacht in high-definition images transmitted by the roaming Falcon, but the robot has many other uses too. It can examine the hull millimetre-by-millimetre, recover items from the seabed, cut ropes and cables, and clean critical fittings. Specialist cameras, survey systems and manipulator arms can be fitted for research and survey missions.
Multibeam Sonar and Laser System
For Dapple, the Falcon is equipped with an extensive range of technology, including HDTV cameras, a multifrequency scanning sonar, multibeam sonar, a laser system and an eventing suite. It also comes with both a three jaw and a five-function manipulator, each with rope cutters, along with a hydraulic cable cutter and a rotary cleaning brush.
Although the Falcon’s key role is the recovery of Dapple’s submersible, for general diving safety the Falcon can survey a dive site beforehand then watch over a diver when below and transport items back and forth during a dive.
The Falcon’s global success comes from being a small metre-sized yet powerful and highly manoeuvrable, multi-tasking, easy to use vehicle, depth rated up to 1,000 metres and enhanced with Saab Seaeye’s innovative iCON intelligent control system.
It has a trusted reliability record covering over a million hours of undersea operations, working in the most challenging environments and mastering turbulent waters and strong currents while remaining stable during filming and scanning and while undertaking delicate tasks.
