Mac mod to dive to 1000ft

[seaviewsystems]

Now, I know this is not in the general spirit of Mac Mods but I thought the Mac community might get a kick out of a mod that my company has recently performed to a 2008 M26. We operate underwater robots called Remotely Operated Vehicles or more commonly, ROVs. We wanted a platform that would allow us to launch and recover one of our vehicles in good weather in coastal or near coastal areas. The unique characteristics of the Macgregor vessels seemed to lend themselves very nicely to what we wanted to do.

We wanted a vessel that we could run down the road, that would get us on location quickly and once there would be stable enough to launch the ROV and provide a reasonably stable and sheltered environment from which to operate the ROV.

First of all, we needed to be able to carry a 200lb ROV securely on deck and then launch it. So, we built an aluminum frame that secures to the gunnels just forward of the mast and carries the ROV. Then we removed the mast but still using the vessels chainplates, we installed a davit with a forward reaching boom. With this arrangement we are able to launch and recover our vehicle in a controlled manner even in moderate seas.

Next we installed about 400lbs of gel cell batteries which are distributed below the forward part of the aft bunk and below the galley and dinette. We also installed a 4.5kw inverter to power the ROV without having to put up with the noise of a generator.

All of the electronics are contained just forward of the galley (when the galley is retracted all the way aft) in 19" equipment racks securely bolted to the bunk/seat.

The final mod will be to add a second axel to the trailer to handle all of this!

We have only had the "SeaView Surveyor" out one time so far. We were working about 11 miles offshore in Lake Huron. The weather got up a bit and we had a bit of a slog for a couple of hours in about 25knts of breeze and 3-4ft waves. The vessel handled it all very nicely and the equipment all stayed in place and secure.

The great thing about this workboat is that when the work is done, we can still take the cradle off, stick the mast on and go sailing!

Follow this link to view a few shots of the beast in action: https://picasaweb.google.com/1035728501 ... wSurveyor#

Matthew Cook
SeaView Systems, Inc.

[mastreb]

Robot Submarine = Best Mod Ever!

I engineered and project managed the installation of the fiber optic data network, sensor network (cameras via CATV), fire alarm system, and telephone system on the Monterrey Bay Aquarium Research Institute's R/V Western Flyer, a somewhat famous Small Water Area Twin Hull boat that was purpose-built as an ROV tender fifteen years ago here in San Diego. Awesome project that was. They spent about $20M on it, and you guys are almost certainly getting better video for 1/1000th the price.

What's your effective depth? I'm guessing the Mac can't carry more than about 1000' of umbilicus?

Edit: I guess the title says what the depth is

[Catigale]

Very cool mod. White hull no doubt.

Thanks or sharing that Matthew

[robbarnes1965]

Robot Submarine = Best Mod Ever!

Ditto.

Also, this is totally in the spirit of Mac Mods!

Rob

[dennisneal]

When I saw the title of this thread I thought it must be a joke.

After reading about it, and seeing the pictures, it gets my vote for the greatest MacGregor Mod.

I hope you have a terrific success with your new boat.

Please keep us advised about your assignments, as I think this is all very interesting.

[restless]

Brilliant A massive thumbs up for real engineering.

a little off track but did you know those horrid french 2cv cars are often used in the movie industry for mobile camera platforms as their inertial suspension systems are just so good? (and they can't even be tested for function for our yearly uk roadworthiness certificate because they will only function when in motion!?!) In fact they still use the current citroen hydro-pneumatics if there is a little more budget.

Anyways, keep us abreast of develpments!

[Phil M]

I agree. It would be both unusual and quite unique to see some video footage taken from a ROV that was launched from a Mac.

Phil M

[seaviewsystems]

Thanks for all the encouraging posts folks.

This particular vehicle has a max depth of 1000ft though we would have to go to Lake Superior to find those depths. Most of what we are doing is in the 200ft range.

I was hoping to get some video this season but the Etec 60 conked out with about 12 hours of use on the clock from new and has been in at the dealers for the last few weeks. Thats another story. It means unfortunately that we are rapidly running out of summer and have to run off to other projects. Maybe we will get a few days in October where we can get some shots of a shipwreck on Lake Michigan. If we do get a chance I'll be sure to post them here.

For an example of what the ROV can do, you might be interested in this clip of video of the Shipwreck Hattie Wells from a volunteer effort we did last year from a NOAA vessel on Lake Michigan. The vehicle we used here was different but similar to the one fitted on the Macgregor:

http://www.vimeo.com/14316646

Matthew Cook

[seaviewsystems]

Robot Submarine = Best Mod Ever!

I engineered and project managed the installation of the fiber optic data network, sensor network (cameras via CATV), fire alarm system, and telephone system on the Monterrey Bay Aquarium Research Institute's R/V Western Flyer, a somewhat famous Small Water Area Twin Hull boat that was purpose-built as an ROV tender fifteen years ago here in San Diego. Awesome project that was. They spent about $20M on it, and you guys are almost certainly getting better video for 1/1000th the price.

Hi Mastreb,

I think I have read about that vessel. You are right on the money (so to speak). Often when we go out, the client has to spend so much on the research vessel that they have to do a lot less data gathering work then they might like. By running out of the Macgregor, we are able to keep the platform cost low and so give a bigger bang for the research buck. The shipwrecks and critters under investigation dont care what vessel the ROV was launched from!

Matthew Cook

[comi_cozi]

NOW where were u when i droped my Leather man overboard very nice boat mod i m just woundering is the aft used for the cabel i would imagin that aft is perfect as it would be center of Gravity and wouldent rock the boat. lol im just curious. lol i was hoping to c a fully submersibal MacGregor HEY theres an idea for Roger maybe make some windows or something to c bellow NOW that would be a cool MOD TOO or just drop a camera in the water. maybe use the mast as a snorkel lol

[mastreb]

If you guys ever need a So Cal hull for the ROV, you can borrow my boat (as long as I get to go with you )

[vizwhiz]

i was hoping to c a fully submersibal MacGregor HEY theres an idea for Roger

Me too... Or THIS is what I thought you might be talking about also...(but of course not for the same reasons...)

If SVS has a branch in south FL, I think I sent my resume to them when I was looking for a job (when I moved down here)***. Small world...
Still seems like a cool place to work...do you like it?


***It could have been one of your competitors.