Victor 6000
In service since 1999, Victor 6000 is a deep-water ROV remotely operated by cable. It carries out observation and handling tasks to a depth of 6,000 metres.
Designed specifically for scientific oceanographic works, the submersible is equipped with a high-performance navigation system which comprises a range of sensors connected to an inertial navigation system. Its high-resolution optical imaging system (photo and video) ensures an optimal visual perception of the environment. Victor 6000 can also generate optical 3D reconstructions of the area under observation.
Uses
The remotely operated submersible Victor 6000 offers the scientific community a deep-water device (6000 metres) which can:
- Undertake operations to watch and explore;
- Study areas that require video and acoustic inspection;
- Manipulate objects and carry out physicochemical measurements in position;
- Sample water, sediment and fauna;
- Undertake deep-water missions on, for example, shipwrecks.
Victor 6000 is a modular and remotely operated deep-water system fitted with instruments. It can generate high-quality optical imaging, as well as carry and operate a diverse range of scientific equipment and tools.
The submersible is connected to the ship by an electromechanical cable which is 8,000 metres long and supplies 20 kW of electrical power. Optical fibres in the cable send the data and image flows to the surface, thus providing the pilots and scientific teams with complete access. The control room, housed in a 20’ container placed on the ship, enables the submersible to be piloted in real time. In theory, there is no limit to the duration of a dive, which means the pilots can adopt a 4-hour watch system (2 people per watch).
To date (2019) the Victor 6000 has completed more than 700 dives to depths of 6,000 metres. It has more than 5,000 working hours on the clock at sea, and as many ashore for preparing missions and technical trials.