Multi-legged ROV Crabster and an acoustic camera for survey of underwater cultural heritages

Abstract

In west coast of Korea peninsula, there are some offshore sites where ancient sunken shipwrecks have been discovered.In these areas, however, because of fast ocean currents and low visibility, underwater survey and excavation by divers are strictly restricted. To overcome these conditions, use of unmanned underwater vehicles such like a ROV(Remotely Operated Vehicle) which is equipped with acoustic imaging devices has been raised. This paper describes preliminary performance experiments for survey of underwater cultural heritages using a ROV whose name is Crabster driven by six artificial legs with a high-resolution acoustic camera in sea.strictly restricted. To overcome these conditions, use of unmanned underwater vehicles such like a ROV(Remotely Operated Vehicle) which is equipped with acoustic imaging devices has been raised. This paper describes preliminary performance experiments for survey of underwater cultural heritages using a ROV whose name is Crabster driven by six artificial legs with a high-resolution acoustic camera in sea.