Fathom’s Insight

TRANSPORTATION

Weight and size are the factors controlling a submersible’s transport and, hence, mobility. Land, sea and air transportation are possible; but, for some vehicles, this means dismantling major components. Deployment at the site of embarkation requires lift and possible rail facilities not available at many ports.

SUPPORT PLATFORM

There are few, if any, occasions when a submersible will not require a support platform. At the very least, this platform will be required to tow the vehicle to the dive site and track it while submerged. In open-sea operations, the platform will act to maintain the vehicle, house its support and scientific crew, and perform work tasks in conjunction with the submersible. Proper selection of such a platform is critical to the effectiveness of the submersible system.

LAUNCH/RETRIEVAL APPARATUS

Unless the submersible is too large for launch/retrieval at sea, an apparatus is required to deploy and retrieve it after each dive. Four basic methods may be utilized. One is a device to attach to and lift the vehicle out of the water, such as a crane. The second involves deballasting a submersible platform onto which the submersible is maneuvered. Third is the mechanical hoisting of an elevator platform attached to a surface vessel. A fourth approach involves the mother submarine concept in which the submersible is launched or retrieved and transported by a completely submerged platform. In the event of external repairs or maintenance to the submersible, the mother submarine may be required to surface.

may be an  in situ  navigation network by which the vehicle itself maintains a real-time display and record of its underwater position.