Revelare Hydrospatial expands offshore capability with new ROV technology
Following Revelare Hydrospatial's acquisition of the APAMA remotely operated vehicle (ROV), subsea operations just got faster, safer and more flexible for the company's clients – opening up new possibilities for inspection, monitoring, data retrieval and asset recovery offshore.
Developed by Australian subsea technology company Southern Ocean Subsea (SoSub), APAMA is the latest addition to Revelare Hydrospatial's expanding portfolio of offshore technologies. The vehicle recently completed sea trials during mobilization for the Hydroscheme Industry Partnership Program (HIPP) survey, successfully demonstrating contactless subsea sensor downloads, remote operations and subsea inspection capabilities.
Contactless data retrieval cuts time and risk
A key result was a contactless subsea sensor download solution, developed jointly by Revelare Hydrospatial and SoSub, allowing data to be retrieved directly from seabed-mounted sensors without physically recovering or disturbing the equipment. For clients running long-term monitoring programmes, this removes the traditional need to bring infrastructure back to the surface before accessing its data, cutting both time and operational risk.
According to Jennifer Brindle, general manager of Revelare Hydrospatial, the successful deployment of APAMA is a clear demonstration of how new technology can translate into real offshore outcomes. "This is another example of our commitment to investing in technologies that strengthen our capability and deliver real benefits for clients," she said.
"By giving our offshore teams the ability to investigate seabed features of interest, retrieve data and respond to challenges in real time, APAMA improves both efficiency and decision-making during operations," Ms Brindle said, adding that clients can now expect "faster access to information, greater confidence in offshore operations and access to capabilities that were simply not available previously".
APAMA also brings new inspection and recovery capabilities. Fitted with cameras and lighting systems, the vehicle captures colour imagery and video of seabed infrastructure, environmental conditions and other underwater features of interest, giving clients visual confirmation of subsea assets alongside survey and environmental datasets. The ROV further offers a recovery capability for deployed seabed infrastructure, increasing confidence that equipment and its data can be successfully retrieved once a project wraps up.
Remote piloting demonstrates operational flexibility
APAMA's remote operations performance was equally notable: piloted from shore via Starlink communications, the ROV showed how specialist expertise can support offshore operations without requiring personnel on site.
For SoSub director/CEO Jennifer Ford, the trials underscored a broader point about innovation in the sector. "Innovation is only valuable when it delivers practical outcomes in the field," she said. Reflecting on the collaboration with Revelare Hydrospatial, she noted that the partnership had "successfully demonstrated capabilities ranging from contactless subsea sensor downloads through to remote operations and visual inspection of underwater assets". Ford added: "The trials show how Australian innovation and collaboration can accelerate the adoption of new technologies and provide the marine industry with more efficient, flexible and capable solutions."
With APAMA now part of its offering, Revelare Hydrospatial is well placed to deliver more integrated hydrographic and metocean services – giving clients greater confidence across offshore monitoring programs, subsea inspections and the recovery of critical seabed infrastructure.
