Mission Plan
Mission Plan

Education
Education

What Are AUVs
What Are AUVs?

AUV Intelligence
AUV Intelligence

Ship History
Ship History

Underwater Mines
Underwater Mines

Explorers
Explorers

 

Photo & Video Log

This page contains photos and videos taken during the AUVfest 2008, which took place in Rhode Island’s Narragansett Bay from May 12 to 23. Click on any image to view a larger version and for additional information. If a movie camera icon camera icon is present, a QuickTime video can be viewed by clicking on the image. Other video formats are available on the linked pages. If a Podcast icon Podcast Icon is present, a video or audio file is available for download or you can subscribe to the RSS Podcast Feed. NOAA Podcast RSS 2.0 Feed

If a slideshow icon slideshow icon is present, a visual log of exploration images can be viewed. You can scroll through them one by one, or select the play button for an automatic slideshow.

(HR) = "High Resolution" images available.

 

camera icon Video & Slideshows

View a video of the BPAUV being deployed from the TWR 841 A-frame.

camera icon May 17
View a video of the BPAUV being deployed from the TWR-841 A-frame. (Quicktime, 3.1 Mb.)

See why rough weather spelled trouble for many AUV systems.

camera icon May 16
See why rough weather spelled trouble for many AUV systems.
(Quicktime, 3.1 Mb.)

See how the sonar mounted on AUVs can quickly and accurately provide images of underwater objects.

camera icon What Are AUVs?
See how the sonar on an AUV is able to provide images of underwater objects. (Quicktime, 1.1 Mb.)

AUVs can be extremely maneuverable, as shown in this clip of the Hydrobatic UUV in a pool test site.

camera icon What Are AUVs?
AUVs can be extremely maneuverable, as shown in this clip of the Hydrobatic UUV in a pool test site. (Quicktime, 1 Mb.)

The Transphibian, an AUV used by the Navy for mine identification and neutralization, is similarly nimble.

camera icon What Are AUVs?
The Transphibian, an AUV used by the Navy for mine identification and neutralization, is similarly nimble. (Quicktime, 2.8 Mb.)

The Remus AUV demonstrating maneuverability in a pool test site.

camera icon What Are AUVs?
The REMUS AUV demonstrating maneuverability in a pool test site. (Quicktime, 1.7 Mb.)

View the AUVfest 2008 slideshow of Navy Mine-Hunting Robots that are helping NOAA Explore Sunken History.

slideshow icon What Are AUVs?
View the AUVfest 2008 slideshow of Navy mine-hunting robots that are helping NOAA explore sunken history.

 

Learn what Marc Slattery hopes to discover on this expedition.

pod cast Mission Plan
Learn what Frank Cantelas hopes to discover on this expedition. (Quicktime, 3 Mb.)

Images

Maritime Archaeologists discuss AUV data in the Integrated Display Center (IDC).

May 19
Maritime archaeologists discuss AUV data in the Integrated Display Center (IDC).

Basic sidescan sonar produced this image of the Prudence Island shipwreck.

May 19
Basic sidescan sonar produced this image of the Prudence Island shipwreck. (HR)

The SAS-12 AUV produced this very high resolution image of the Prudence Island shipwreck using its sidescan sonar.

May 19
The SAS-12 AUV produced this very high resolution image of the Prudence Island shipwreck using its sidescan sonar. (HR)

 

 

The untrained eye might not notice this as anything different from a rock, but this pictured is actually the muzzle of an 18th-century nine-pound gun.

May 18
The untrained eye might not notice this as anything different from a rock, but this is actually the muzzle of an 18th-century nine-pound gun. (HR)

Comparing sonar images with photographs can help technicians identify what they are seeing, as can data from magnetometers.

May 18
Tufts of filamentous cyanobacteria form large accumulations of individual microscopic cells. (HR)

AUVs sensed a cylindrical object beneath the seafloor that archaeologists believe to be a cannon.

May 18
AUVs sensed a cylindrical object beneath the sea floor that archaeologists believe to be a cannon.

 

 

The Torpedo Weapons Recovery Vessel, or TWR 841, is used for hauling and launching AUVs during AUVfest.

May 17
The torpedo weapons recovery vessel, or TWR 841, is used for hauling and launching AUVs during AUVfest. (HR)

The BPAUV, or Nemo, is brought back to the TWR 841 vessel by the small support boat.

May 17
The BPAUV, or Nemo, is brought back to the TWR 841 vessel by the small support boat. (HR)

The BPAUV, or Nemo, is brought back to the TWR 841 vessel by the small support boat.

May 17
The BPAUV, or Nemo, is brought back to the TWR 841 vessel by the small support boat. (HR)

Several unexpected objects, including this 30 meter-long barge, were found during AUVfest.

May 17
Several unexpected objects, including this 30 meter-long barge, were found during AUVfest.

Even in calm weather, AUV teams are concerned about other users in the area.

May 16
Even in calm weather, AUV teams are concerned about other users in the area.

AUV teams are very concerned about locating their AUVs in rough seas, because the vehicle’s report of its location is not always correct.

May 16
AUV teams are very concerned about locating their AUVs in rough seas, because the vehicle’s report of its location is not always correct.

The BPAUV is lifted by an A-frame and placed in the water during Wednesday's calm weather.

May 16
The BPAUV is lifted by an A-frame and placed in the water during Wednesday's calm weather. (HR)

 

 

The Inertial Navigation System records the AUV's movement in three axess.

May 15
The Inertial Navigation System records the AUV's movement in three axes.

AUV technicians watch the navigational tracks of three AUVs from an office onshore.

May 15
AUV technicians watch the navigational tracks of three AUVs from an office onshore.

 

 

 

 

This Cerberus cannon, used in key battles in both the French and Indian war and the Revolutionary War, was recovered in the 1970s.

May 14
This Cerberus cannon, used in key battles in both the French and Indian War and the Revolutionary War, was recovered in the 1970s.

Personal items onboard the Cerberus, including this shoe, were effectively preserved for over 200 years under a protective layer of silt.

May 14
Personal items onboard the Cerberus, including this shoe, were effectively preserved for over 200 years under a protective layer of silt.

 

 

 

 

NOAA AUVfest 2008 Expedition Google Map.

Explore the AUVfest 2008 expedition research area wreck sites.

Click image for Google Map.

The AUVfest 2008 expedition research area will take place in the Rhode Island’s Narragansett Bay.

Mission Plan
The AUVfest 2008 expedition research area in the Rhode Island’s Narragansett Bay.

 

 

 

 

This AUV runs on solar power. The amount of power available and the weight of the power source are major factors for AUV designers and users.

What Are AUVs?
This AUV runs on solar power. The amount of power available and the weight of the power source are major factors for AUV designers and users.

Sonar mounted on AUVs can quickly and accurately provide images of underwater objects.

What Are AUVs?
Sonar mounted on AUVs can quickly and accurately provide images of underwater objects. (HR)

 

 

 

 

AUVs are not driven by operators, their ability to sense their surroundings is called situational awareness meaning they can detect and avoid obstacles in their path.

AUV Intelligence
AUVs are not driven by operators. Their ability to sense their surroundings is called "situational awareness," meaning they can detect and avoid obstacles in their path. (HR)

This bathymetry map shows just how variable their environment can be.

AUV Intelligence
This bathymetric map shows just how variable their environment can be. (HR)

The REMUS is launched with a video mosaic camera to survey Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary.

AUV Intelligence
The REMUS is launched with a video mosaic camera to survey Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary.

 

 

John Mecray painting, depicts the British frigate Cerberus engaged in a skirmish with the American sloop Providence.

Ship History
John Mecray painting, depicts the British frigate Cerberus engaged in a skirmish with the American sloop Providence.

The HMS Cerberus was named for the three-headed dog with a snake's tail that guarded the gates to hell in Greek mythology.

Ship History
The HMS Cerberus was named for the three-headed dog with a snake's tail that guarded the gates to hell in Greek mythology.

A sister ship of HMS Cerberus in the Coventry class of frigates was HMS Active, shown here in Boston harbor.

Ship History
A sister ship of HMS Cerberus in the Coventry class of frigates was HMS Active, shown here in Boston Harbor.

 

 

The BPAUV is part of the Mine Countermeasures Mission Module delivered to the USS Freedom in 2007.

Underwater Mines
The BPAUV is part of the Mine Countermeasures Mission Module delivered to the USS Freedom in 2007.

The REMUS AUV, helped clear the Iraqi port Umm Qasr in 2003, the first successful wartime deployment of an autonomous underwater vehicle.

Underwater Mines
The REMUS AUV, helped clear the Iraqi port Umm Qasr in 2003, the first successful wartime deployment of an autonomous underwater vehicle.

In 1991, the USS Tripoli sustained a 16x20 hole below the water line from a contact mine.

Underwater Mines
In 1991, the USS Tripoli sustained a 16- x 20-ft hole below the water line from a contact mine.

 

 

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