Subsea Vision Grows Compact ROV Fleet

Aiming at the global FPSO market, Subsea Vision has added another Saab Seaeye Cougar XT Compact to its ROV fleet. The addition to the fleet follows expanded opportunities coming to the company since joining the James Fisher Group and linking with Fendercare Marine’s diving resources.

The compact concept is especially suited for working in strong currents and where the spread of equipment is small enough to need little deck space. Chris Bryant, managing director of Subsea Vision, said the slim profile compact Cougar is ideal for working in constrained spaces around FPSOs and platforms – and in high current areas.

“It’s a phenomenal vehicle that has great power and easy tooling integration for a wide spectrum of work - and can undertake long excursions,” Bryant said. He sees the inspection capability of the Cougar fleet, alongside Fendercare’s diving operations, as “opening more doors around the world” and the company taking on a more primary contractor role. 

Despite its small size, the Cougar XT Compact can be fitted with a wide range of equipment. Designed especially for working in shallow waters and in tight situations, the low-profile Cougar XT Compact minimizes the effect of current with its reduced frame size, buoyancy and weight – and a thinner 17mm tether cable that reduces the effect of drag, Seaeye said. According to the developer, the power and maneuverability of the vehicle comes from its six thrusters: four vectored horizontal and two vertical, each with velocity feedback for precise control in all directions, and interfaced to a fast-acting control system and solid-state gyro for enhanced azimuth stability.