OceanServer Technology has received a contract from Florida Keys Community College (FKCC) for an Iver2 AUV equipped with an L-3 Klein 3500 Side Scan Sonar.
This purchase will provide students and researchers with a modern AUV platform to further ongoing academic initiatives in marine biology, underwater archeology and marine science. The Iver2 AUV will also support studies in their world-class Diving Business and Technology Program and advanced underwater remote sensing projects.
Equipped with a high-resolution CT Sensor by NBOSI, an ADCP Current Profiler by Sontek, and L-3 Klein Side Scan Sonar, the Iver2 AUV will provide new technology for studying marine and nautical archeology, bathymetry, target identification, and general data collection methods. In addition, the AUV will supplement existing tools to provide environmental assessment and monitoring of the USS Hoyt Vandenberg, an artificial reef sunk in 2009 just off the coast of Key West, Florida.
The Vandenberg is one of the largest artificial reefs in the world and offers divers an exciting look at the local marine life that has taken up refuge on this artificial reef. Situated within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, FKCC facilities provide year round access to miles of shoreline and an impressive five-acre Underwater Training Area (UTA) which will enable open-water AUV operations in a sheltered environment.
The Iver Platform
All Iver2 AUV models come standard with OceanServer’s VectorMap Mission Planning and Data Presentation tool, which provides geo-registered data files that can be easily exported to other software analysis tools. This unique AUV design has enabled OceanServer to carve out a very strong position in the research space for autonomous underwater vehicles, sensors
and behavioral studies.
The VectorMap program can input NOAA ENCs or any geo-referenced charts, maps or photo images, allowing the operator to intuitively develop AUV missions using simple point-and-click navigation.
The base vehicle, with a starting price at just over $50,000 USD, gives university, government and commercial users an affordable base-platform for sensor development or survey applications in water quality, sub-surface security and general research.