Fully Equipped ROTVs for Geophysical Surveys
MMT, Sweden, has invested in two remotely operated towed vehicles (ROTV) equipped with various types of survey equipment for complete geophysical surveys. The systems have been upgraded to be fully equipped with sidescan sonars and sub-bottom profilers, in addition to multibeam echosounders, an inertial navigation system and doppler velocity log. A complete geophysical survey can be done from the platform at a speed of 6 knots and down to a water depth of 400 metres.
The ROTV is a tool for line keeping during a survey. The system enhances the control of the tow-fish and allows a constant altitude above the seafloor as well as maintaining the planned survey lines. The ROTV also improves the actual direction of the tow-fish unit which greatly improves the data quality of the sidescan sonar.
