Skip to content Skip to footer

FAQ

GALLERY

TA CALLS
SUBSCRIBE
Linkedin-in X-twitter Youtube Ri-facebook-fill Instagram Envelope

FAQ

GALLERY

TA CALLS
SUBSCRIBE
Linkedin-in X-twitter Youtube Ri-facebook-fill Instagram Envelope
TA CALLS
SUBSCRIBE
Close

AUV Barabas

Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Barabas

GO BACK TO CATALOGUE
AQUARIUS_AUV Barabas_18
AUV Barabas Ostend, Belgium
AQUARIUS_AUV Barabas_14
AQUARIUS_AUV Barabas_9
AQUARIUS_AUV Barabas_7
AQUARIUS_AUV Barabas_8
AQUARIUS_AUV Barabas_10
AQUARIUS_AUV Barabas_11
AQUARIUS_AUV Barabas_12
AQUARIUS_AUV Barabas_13
AQUARIUS_AUV Barabas_15
AQUARIUS_AUV Barabas_16
AQUARIUS_AUV Barabas_17
AQUARIUS_AUV Barabas_19
AQUARIUS_AUV Barabas_20
AQUARIUS_AUV Barabas_2
AQUARIUS_AUV Barabas_3
AQUARIUS_AUV Barabas_4
AQUARIUS_AUV Barabas_6

Infrastructure Profile

Infrastructure Provider

Location

Oostende, Belgium

Organisation & Address

Flanders Marine Institute VLIZ (Vlaams Instituut voor de Zee) Marine Robotics Centre Jacobsenstraat 1, 8400 Oostende Belgium

Infrastructure Webpage 

Visit Website

Link to Vessel/Infrastructure Schedules (if applicable)

NA

Normal Area of Operation

The area of operations will be dependent on the mother ship. AUV Barabas can be deployed in all the lighthouses regions of the project (Atlantic/Arctic, Baltic and North Sea, Mediterranean Sea and Black Sea).

Maximum Number of Days Available

2 x 15 days

Scientists’ Travel and Logistics (T&L) Budget Available

€ 4,000.00

Overview

Depth Rating

1000 m

Length

1.7 – 4.2 m

Width

0.2 m

Height (incl. draft for USV)

0.5 m

Weight in Air

55 – 120 kg

Total System Weight

55 – 120 kg

Payload

Interferometric Side scan sonar – Klein UUV-3500; Sub-bottom profiler – Chirp based Benthos; ADCP – RDI Pathfinder DVL; Camera – Grasshopper GRAS-14S3M-C; Multibeam module (optional); Science bay module: CTD – RBR Legato; • Chlorophyll A, turbidity, organic matter – Wetlabs Ecopuck; • Oxygen sensor – Aanderaa 4831; USBL – GAPS transponder. Optional Extras: PCo2 sensor – Pro Oceanus mini and Nitrate sensor – Satlantic Suna.

Endurance (AUV, Gliders, USV)

4 – 8 hours

Scientific and Technical Specifications

General Information

An autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) is a torpedo-shaped robotic vehicle that can perform tasks underwater without direct control from an operator. An AUV typically can steer and make certain decisions autonomously while underwater. This makes the AUV a powerful tool for exploring the ocean depths that are usually inaccessible. AUVs are also widely used in various industries, from hydrographic surveys to military applications to search and rescue.
AUV Barabas of VLIZ is a Gavia AUV (Teledyne) that can dive to depths of 1,000 meters. The vehicle can be launched from a dock, a small RIB, or from a large research vessel. Because the vehicle is modular, it allows for multiple configurations with interferometric side scan sonar, sub-bottom profiling and an oceanographic payload. Applications include:
• The surveying of wrecks and underwater obstacles close to the seafloor (~3 m) at high resolution;
• Mapping of underwater canyons;
• Seabed habitat mapping;
• High-resolution mapping of seabed morphology;
• Investigate and measure properties of the ocean water column and near seafloor.

Vessel Requirements (if applicable)

• Minimal deck space: 10 m² (minimal 5 m long)
• Storage room approx. 2 m³
• Dry lab/workshop to work with electronic equipment and minimal workbenches for two surveyors.
• Over-the-side crane or A-Frame for lifting AUV LARS
• Workboat for recovery/launch (preferred way of operation, other recovery methods available)

Thrusters

1 Thruster. Single propeller with 4 independent control surfaces

Cameras

Camera – Grasshopper GRAS-14S3M-C. Black and white imagery

Positioning (USBL, etc.)

High-accuracy DGPS-ready receiver.
High-precision DVL-aided Phins C3 Inertial Navigation System (INS) with Pathfinder Teledyne RDI Doppler Velocity Log (DVL) and direct sound velocity meter.
Positioning accuracy can be maintained over longer duration deployments by utilizing Ultra Short Baseline (USBL) transponder (USBL – GAPS transponder).

Instruments/Scientific Payload

• Side scan sonar – Klein 3500
• High resolution bathymetry via interferometric Side Scan Sonar
• Sub-bottom profiler – Chirp based Benthos
• Multibeam Module (optional)
• ADCP – RDI Pathfinder DVL
• Camera – Grasshopper GRAS-14S3M-C
• Science bay module:
o CTD -RBR Legato
o Chlorophyll A, turbidity, organic matter – Wetlabs Ecopuck
o Oxygen sensor – Aanderaa 4831
o USBL – GAPS transponder
o PCo2 sensor – Pro Oceanus mini (optional)
o Nitrate sensor – Satlantic Suna (optional)

Optional Items

Top side GAPS USBL, other sensors can be integrated upon request

Manipulators

None

TMS (Tether Management System (ROV ONLY)), LARS details (if applicable)

TMS not Applicable
 
The launch and recovery system (LARS) for the Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) consists of a buoyant net that facilitates both launching and retrieving the AUV

Support offered to AQUARIUS users

Along with the vehicle, two field technicians will be provided for the operation, deployment and recovery, general mobilization, and operation of the vehicle. Basic post-processing of AUV-generated data files, ready for scientific interpretation can be provided.

Infrastructure Availability and Contact Details

Year 2025

1) Available in all the project’s lighthouse areas: Atlantic/Arctic, Baltic and North Sea, Mediterranean Sea and Black Sea
2) Available all year

Year 2026

1) Available in all the project’s lighthouse areas: Atlantic/Arctic, Baltic and North Sea, Mediterranean Sea and Black Sea
2) Available all year

Year 2027

1) Available in all the project’s lighthouse areas: Atlantic/Arctic, Baltic and North Sea, Mediterranean Sea and Black Sea
2) Available all year

Contact email for applicants to discuss the initial feasibility of their work while they prepare their application

mrc[at]vliz.be (Contact person: Wieter Boone)

Certification and Clearance Requirements

Diplomatic clearances or permits required for area or type of activity

General dip clear procedures apply.
AUV Barabas is classified as dual-use goods as per EU 2021/821, meaning specific export limitations apply when operating outside the EU or the union general export EU001 areas.
National regulation in the area of operations may require additional permits or reporting for the use of autonomous underwater vehicles.

Additional training required

VLIZ will provide specific familiarisation training to ensure users have a comprehensive understanding of the potential of marine robots and the used sensors, enabling them to effectively utilize these tools to fulfill their research objectives. The training will be provided and organized by the Infrastructure Operator, and can be arranged online or in classroom in preparation of the survey.
GO BACK TO CATALOGUE