Reduced downtime in subsea operations through use of predictions of underwater visibility for ROVs - Science and application

Many aspects of subsea installation and inspection operations involve Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) and a human pilot viewing live video feeds. Work may be inhibited when the visibility is reduced through increased turbidity. This work aimed to understand and quantify the drivers of ROV visibility at a site (depth 240-280 m), in the Browse Basin, offshore Western Australia and develop techniques to allow prediction of underwater visibility ranges more generally. Using a range of measurements and evidence-based analysis, the work has developed a reliable and useable method of predicting underwater visibility ranges at various heights above the seabed. This technique requires appropriate measurements and understanding of sedimentary processes.