Equipped with both a 7- and 4- Function Orion Manipulator from Schilling Robotics, the Comanche will be able to undertake tasks that were previously considered difficult from a vehicle of this size.

Sub-Atlantic and Schilling Robotics recently formed the Schilling Sub-Atlantic Alliance to provide customers with the technical solutions possible from a single source.

The ROV was designed to address the increasing demand for more capable electric ROVs to undertake tasks traditionally carried out by hydraulic ROVs.

The company claims that the lower cost of ownership and increased reliability of electric ROVs makes Comanche a viable alternative for offshore operations requiring higher levels of intervention.

Designed using a 3000 volt/400Hz power transmission system, the Comanche is equally suitable for free swimming or Tether Management System (TMS) operations.

"Thruster technology is of critical importance on electric ROVs and the SPE250 brushless DC thrusters utilise our StatorShield technology.

This creates a physical barrier between the rotor and stator, preventing water contamination to the electrical parts, a common failure mode with existing electric thrusters, " said Colin Millum, Joint Managing Director of Sub-Atlantic.

The standard Comanche is rated to 2,000m with a payload of 150kg, however Subsea Resources' requirement meant increasing the operating depth to 6,000m and the payload capability to 200kg. John Kingsford, operations director of Subsea Resources stated "It was critical that Subsea Resources find a technical solution for working on salvage at the variety of depths where we have identified key targets. The ability of Comanche to operate the Tritech Super ZipJet and work-class manipulators proved to us that this ROV will be truly capable of performing intervention tasks on the salvage projects we have scheduled in the near future".

MJ Information No: 21303