Design of an Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) with a Deployable Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV)

Abstract

Underwater oil and gas pipes require regular inspections which are conventionally performed manually by divers and manned vessels. The development of Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) enables the performance of these inspections without the need of crew members diving in the water. These vehicles reduce the risks to divers posed by harsh sea conditions, and the dangers associated with highly explosive fuels. However, such risks are not fully eliminated since surface vessels deploying ROVs are still manned, and their crews are therefore exposed to relevant hazards. Hence, there is an increasing demand for Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs) aiming at conducting complex marine operations, such as deployment of ROVs, while being safer and cheaper to operate. The objective of this project is to design such a USV that can carry, deploy, and recover an underwater ROV. The design procedure begins with the identification of relevant requirements and the selection of a preliminary hull geometry, which is then used for the initial weight, hydrostatics, and hydrodynamics calculations. By applying the spiral design process, used in the design of marine vessels, the vessel’s design is iteratively modified and optimized to meet safety regulations and industry requirements, while being constantly reevaluated for its stability and structural integrity. The achieved USV design meets the key requirements for payload capacity, stability, and endurance, and fully complies with classification rules.