ROV Helps Clean Harbors
As Clear Harbors expanded, the need for an underwater camera to assist in their response and maintenance operations was felt stronger. After research of the market, JW Fishers’ Sea Otter ROV was selected. The SeaOtter is a commercial-grade remote operated vehicle equipped with a powerful four motor propulsion system, a high resolution color camera, and four 100 watt lights.
Before performing their first open water inspection, Clean Harbors decided to take the ROV to the Mass Maritime Academy in Buzzards Bay and demonstrate the ROV’s capabilities for the media and public officials. The exercise was designed to highlight new services the company would be offering targeted at port security. During the demonstration, two cadet interns piloted the SeaOtter as part of their co-op program.
As a result of the demonstration, Clean Harbors has already lined up several high-profile projects to showcase the company’s and the ROV’s capabilities. They will be performing hull inspections on the battleship Massachusetts in Fall River and the Mayflower in Plymouth. Both vessels are major tourist attractions for the state. Members of the Mass State Police and other law enforcement officials will observe an inspection at the nuclear power plant in Plymouth. The company will demonstrate how ROVs can provide an added level of security for high risk targets of terrorist attacks. At the Mystic Power Station in Boston the ROV will “swim” into intake and discharge pipes to examine the condition of the internal walls and check screens that block debris from entering the plant, an operation extremely dangerous for divers to perform.
