DroneQ Robotics and Mark Offshore have entered an agreement for the deployment of the R/V Mintis, a Dynamic Positioning 1 (DP1) Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) Support & Survey vessel. Under the deal, DroneQ Robotics has secured exclusive rights to use the vessel for its own projects, as well as for assignments with Intertek and third-party clients.
The vessel is managed and operated by Mark Offshore for its owners, Klaipėda University in Lithuania. The partnership integrates the vessel with ROV and drone technology to provide a combined service for the offshore market.
“The partnership with Mark Offshore and this vessel is a big leap forward in the growth of DroneQ Robotics in general, and our Advanced Unmanned Robotics Services (AURS) proposition for the offshore market in particular,” said John Troch, Co-founder of DroneQ Robotics and Director Marine Services.
The R/V Mintis will be equipped with two new ROV systems. The X-SV is rated for a 350-metre working depth and an 8.3 kilometres per hour (4.5 knots) speed. The Argus Rover is rated for 1,000 metres and includes a station-keeping system and 3D imaging capabilities. The 3D system is supported by offshore containers, including a six-metre control room and a three-metre winch container.
In addition to subsea equipment, the vessel will carry industrial maritime inspection drones. These are designed to operate from vessels at sea to conduct aerial inspections of offshore wind turbines and oil and gas installations.
The vessel is capable of performing a variety of tasks, including bathymetric surveys, Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) campaigns, and pipeline and cable surveys. It will also support salvage operations and ecological oceanographic research.
“When shipowners partner with Mark Offshore, we don’t just manage vessels, we actively turn them into revenue-generating assets from day one,” said Mark van der Star, Managing Director at Mark Offshore.
