Venezuela Chooses Falcon for One of Earth’s Largest Dams
The Venezuelan government has chosen a Saab Seaeye Falcon ROV fitted with a special survey system for inspection of its vast Guri Dam and associated turbines. The authorities selected the Falcon for the vital inspection work after reading favourable reports of its technological capability and the range of work undertaken by the ROV for the hydro industry.
Work is underway to extend the life of the dam, which was built in the 1960s and is one of the largest reservoirs on Earth, by 30 years.
For a detailed survey of their infrastructure at Guri Dam, the authorities have chosen to fit a sonar and navigation system on their Falcon formulated by California-based underwater systems supplier Symphotic TII Corporation along with MB Services in Miami that incorporates an Imagenex 881A-GS sonar with an Applied Acoustic’s Easytrak positional location system.
Stable View
Jack Roberts at Symphotic describes that the multi-frequency programmable sonar makes it easier for the operator by providing a more stable view of the environment, whilst the ultra short baseline positioning system readily allows the vehicle to return to points of particular interest.
Also, by fitting the Falcon with a Lyyn real-time video enhancement system that self-optimises the image at 25 times a second, clearer pictures can be captured than would otherwise be possible.
The small size of the Falcon makes it easy to manhandle and the system for the Guri Dam will come with a special trailer and winch for working at difficult to access locations, all arranged by MB Services for the Venezuelan Government.
Image: Guri Dam, Venezuela, at over 4,000 square kilometres, is one of the largest reservoirs on Earth.
