The challenges of homeland security and law enforcement are compounded when the threat or activity is underwater. Underwater surveillance and evidence gathering require a suite of sophisticated tools and sensors installed on a highly capable and reliable Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV). Deep Ocean ROVs offer a balance of power, payload, portability. Versatility and ease of operation are needed for evidence gathering and port and waterway security inspection missions. Deep Ocean ROVs are designed to work and maneuver continually in currents up to 3 knots with limited visibility while carrying necessary sensors and/or tools (e.g., video, sonar, tracking, and manipulator).

Deep Ocean ROVs often carry a suite of sensors in order to accomplish the object classification, identification, and surveillance missions. The primary sensors employed are video camera(s), sonar, and tracking, and the primary tool is a simple grabbing manipulator. Sonar is used from the ROV for object detection and hull and general area navigation. Deep Ocean ROVs have the thrust, speed, and stability necessary to work in currents and turbulence when outfitted with a complete suite of sensors and tools.

ROV stability is critical as it yields better-focused video images and crisper sonar images. If currents, wave action, or turbulence buffet the vehicle, it is extremely difficult to get a clear, un-smeared sector scanning sonar image on the fly. Deep Ocean has supplied ROVs to more than 30 law enforcement and armed forces agencies on 5 continents and has recently added several new law enforcement agencies to its customer list.