Black Sea fleet's salvage ship takes delivery of new ROV Pantera Plus
The Epron, a salvage ship of the Black Sea Fleet undergoing repair and refitting was equipped with the next generation Remotely Operated Vehicle "Pantera Plus", the Russian Ministry of Defense said.
The remotley operated submarine rescue submersible is capable of operating to depths of up to 1,000 metres. The ROV is equipped with two mechanical manipulators that can operate cable cutters and a circular saw for cutting underwater steel structures of thickness up to 90 mm.
The ROV features the automatic depth keeping system, an echo-sounder, dynamic positioning system (DP) and soil erosion equipment. The ROV will be controlled remotely by operators through two controlled cameras of enhanced sensitivity installed next to manipulators, as well as a rear-view cameras.
A sister ROV had been supplied to another Russian Navy's Black Sea Fleet's salvage vessel Kommuna, which also has a simulator mounted for crew training.
The Epron was also equipped with a new side-scan sonar intended for more accurate detection of objects on the seabed.
After maintenance and retrofitting the Epron will have a full package of search and rescue equipment and systems, including two ROVs, Pantera Plus and Tiger, sets of atmospheric diving suits (ADS), state-of-the-art diving equipment, observation cameras, a diving bell and pressure chambers.
