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Deep-diving submersibles and other operational tools
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Pisces IV
and Pisces V
are three-person, battery-powered,
one-atmosphere submersibles with a maximum
operating depth of 2000 m (6,280 ft). They offer
scientists direct observation through three view
ports, video cameras, instrument placement,
sample collecting, and environmental monitoring.
They are launched and recovered from the stern
of Kaʻimikai-o-Kanaloa.
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SOEST has a new 6000 meter-capable remotely operated vehicle (ROV), Luʻukai, meaning "deep sea diving" in the Hawaiian language. The Luʻukai was custom designed and constructed by Deep Ocean Exploration and Research (DOER). She is fully operational, equipped with over 7 camera systems, two manipulator arms, and customizable sampling basket. The Luʻukai is launched and recovered from the stern of R/V Kiloa Moana.
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The multibeam bathymetric sonar mapping system
aboard the R/V Kaʻimikai-o-Kanaloa was
upgraded to a SeaBeam 3012 phase 1
hybrid in early 2007. It is a full ocean
(trench) depth capable 12 kHz wide swath
bathymetric and sidescan backscatter mapping
system.
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The R/V Kaʻimikai-o-Kanaloa (KoK)
is the 223-ft multibeam equipped support vessel
for Pisces V, Pisces IV and
RCV-150 ROV, whose capabilities are
described more fully on the University of Hawaii
Marine Center website.
KoK is capable of general oceanographic
work as well. She was decomissioned in 2018 after 25 years of service.
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The LRT is a unique 49 ft vessel that can submerge and hover with the 13-ton submersible aboard. It was specifically designed as a submersible launch platform in the late 1980's to provide the subs with a range of additional capabilities including deployment of specialized and bulky scientific equipment.
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The Makai Research Pier Facility is located on
the South-East corner of Oahu, near Makapuʻu
Point. It provides easy access to clean,
sheltered, and usually fairly calm near shore
waters. The seafloor around the working area of
the pier is flat and sandy, with an average
depth of about 4m. Individual researchers and
groups from various backgrounds have started
using the Makai Pier Facility as a test location
for a wide range of underwater equipment. HURL
strives to accommodate these requests as much as
possible, working around expedition and
submersible refit schedules. The activities
range in complexity from simple, long-term
material exposure experiments to full scale wet
testing of large multi-component arrays.
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HURL in partnership with the University of Hawaiʻi Dive Safety (UHDSP) program, and similar programs at other universities on a reciprocal agreement, has carried out diving field programs safely and successfully. HURL maintains most of the major equipment items such as rebreathers and other SCUBA gear and offers rental to qualified personnel by the University of Hawaiʻi Dive Safety Program (UHDSP) for use on a day rate basis. In addition, training in advanced diving techniques is provided for UH researchers using funds from their awarded grants. The UHDSP is AAUS compliant.
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LRT
(Launch, Recovery, and Transport) Platform
