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AUV Barabas
Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Barabas
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
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.
Additional Resources