The Water Rescue Team in Vail, Colorado has invested in a remotely operated vehicle because “the ROV will make [the] team’s job a lot faster and safer.”
Full article available at: VailDaily, 24may18
Great Pacific Garbage Patch is Growing
The amount of plastic debris in our oceans is growing exponentially, according to researchers at the Ocean CleanUp Foundation and a study recently published in the journal Scientific Reports. Current estimates of the amount of plastic in the Pacific Ocean stands at 87,000 tons, four to 16 times bigger than previously thought, and occupying an area roughly four times the size of California. Concerns are that large pieces of plastic rubbish will degrade into microplastics that can then enter our food chain.
What can be done? The Ocean CleanUp Foundation has developed a mechanical system that floats through the water and concentrates the plastics into denser areas that can be collected by boats and taken back to shore to be recycled. They plan to launch the first such system this summer from Alameda, California.
Full article at: NYTimes 22mar18
The density of ocean plastic in 1962 (top) compared to 2018 (bottom). Credit: Ocean Cleanup Foundation
Real-Life Underwater Transformer
We never thought we’d see a real transformer… but, weighing in at 1050kg (2315 pounds), this heavy-weight powerhouse by Houston Mechatronics is both an AUV (autonomous underwater vehicle) and ROV (remotely operated vehicle) in one. By enclosing the arms, the Aquanaut is expected to be able to cover distances of up to 200 km (124 miles) on battery power.
Full article available at: Live Science 08may18
Rare Deep-ocean Jellyfish
Check out this beachball-sized, deep-ocean jellyfish spotted recently at a depth of 974m (3200ft):
It was found off the coast of Mexico’s San Benedicto Island in the Pacific Ocean by NOAA’s Hercules ROV.
Full article at: LiveScience, 23may18
Oceans ’18/MTS/IEEE
Blue Robotics is exhibiting in Kobe, Japan at this week’s OCEANS’18 MTS/IEEE Kobe/Techno-Ocean 2018 conference. Stop by if you have a chance!