Submersible Camera SCAMPI

The submersible interactive camera system SCAMPI was developed in 1987. Undergoing modernization since 2009, it currently features a digital reflex photo camera and a full HD wide-angle colour video camera.

The submersible interactive camera system SCAMPI was developed in 1987. Undergoing modernization since 2009, it currently features a digital reflex photo camera and a full HD wide-angle colour video camera.

Towed using its dedicated cable, SCAMPI is designed to perform image surveys a few metres above the sea floor and at a maximum operating depth of 5000 m. It is powered by batteries which give it a range exceeding 10 hours.

The complete system (submersible, winch and associated system, piloting controls, spare parts) can be transported in a container, total weight being 12 tonnes.

It can be deployed from the vessels Thalia, L'Europe, Thalassa, L'Atalante, Pourquoi pas?, Alis and Antéa. On deep-sea ships equipped with an ultra-short baseline (USBL) acoustic positioning system, a beacon is fitted to SCAMPI to indicate its position in the water. Installation on any other ship would require a feasibility study beforehand.

The system includes:

  • SCAMPI frame fitted with:
    • 2 electronics enclosures
    • 1 digital photo camera enclosure
    • 1 HD video camera enclosure
    • 4 lasers
    • 1 altimeter
    • 2 searchlights
    • 1 flash
    • 1 24 V battery pack
  • AMA winch
  • Hydraulic power pack for the winch
  • Frame connected to the ship by a bearing cable, via a ballast weight
  • Data transmitted via two ADSL routers and a coaxial cable.