ROV Tiburon (1996-2008)
ROV Tiburon was developed at MBARI and completed in 1996. ROV Tiburon broke new ground in providing an integrated unmanned submersible research platform with many powerful features that provided efficient, reliable and precise sampling and data collection in a wide range of missions. In 2008, ROV Tiburon was replaced by a newer, more powerful ROV, the Doc Ricketts
ROV Tiburon's features included:
- Modular, mission-specific toolsled packages.
- High resolution video cameras with zoom and pan/tilt.
- Fiber optic telemetry.
- Powerful electric thrusters to combine precise control, high thrust levels and relatively quiet operational capabilities.
- Variable buoyancy system to allow neutral buoyancy at all depths and during sampling operations.
- Scientific sensors and data logging integrated into the core vehicle system.
- Provision for placement, servicing and retrieval of bottom-mounted instrument packages.
ROV Tiburon operated from MBARI's SWATH research vessel, the R/V Western Flyer.