The Two-Stage ROV for Sediment Sampling on Mariana Trench

Abstract

JAMSTEC has been developing the remotely operated vehicle system having a limited role to explore the deepest parts of the oceans since April 2005. This ROV system's main mission is to survey sediments in sea bottoms. This system consists of a launcher and a small vehicle. The launcher carries two types of bottom samplers as well as the vehicle. One launches the small vehicle to make a preliminary survey, launching the sampler to obtain a sample. The samplers can be changed a gravity core sampler for a grabber. The system assembly will be completed by the spring of 2006 and then its sea trials will be started.