New technology ROV cable is a winner in deep water scene

Equipment & Technology - March 14, 2003

Elmeridge Cables Ltd, the Brighton, UK-based cable specialist, has designed and produced new tether cables specifically for remote offshore video systems (ROVs) manufactured by Deep Scenes Ltd, based in Perth, Australia.

Elmeridge called upon its experience in undersea applications and knowledge of modern materials to create a cable which was a radical improvement on all others previously used for the low-cost Titan ROV that Deep Scenes design.

Deep Scenes Managing Director, Ted Kneebone, commented: "Cables had been too large, too stiff, too heavy or too expensive. Elmeridge showed a quick understanding of what we needed and have produced not only the best solution so far, but promptly and competitively priced. Overall, they were good to deal with."

The challenge presented to Elmeridge was to produce a small diameter cable which is highly flexible, had conductors of low resistance and was positively bouyant.

Elmeridge Director, Des Smith explains, "The brief from Deep Scenes made us look carefully at the priority for their ROV application. The protective characteristic of conventional ROV cable outer sheaths is normally provided by polyurethane. But, in thisinstance, protection is less important than flexibility and buoyancy, so we plumped for the latest thermoplastic rubber technology, employing flame retardant Santoprene compound."

The Titan ROVs, complete with their new tether cables from Elmeridge, are about to be deployed at a variety of locations worldwide.