A previous iteration of the BROV was deployed several times with good results. I got amazing video of things I didn't even know existed in the area. This model had wheels instead of tracks. All systems worked well during these deployments except on some of the worst mud bottoms the BROV would get stuck and would not move. This problem prompted a change to tracks. In the track configuration the BROV has shown that it cannot bog down even in the worst mud.
To me a BROV presents an opportunity to do pure exploration, to ramble about on the bottom for the purpose of discovery. It represents the means to see and explore areas that no other type of system can accomplish. This is not a business for me. I build devices like this for the technical challenge of it and some primary love of under water things. As I move over the top of the water in a boat I always want to know what's at the bottom and have always wanted a device like a BROV. There doesn't have to be glamour attached because I can get a thrill out of looking at just plain mud as long as I know I'm the first person who has seen what is actually in a particular spot.
Like many people, I used to dream of the coral reefs and the clear water of the Caribbean which I would occasionally visit. At some point I realized I should do my exploration and discovery right here where I live which is the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. We have the Chesapeake Bay and many rivers and estuaries that have never had most of their benthos viewed by human eyes. The BROV is especially designed to allow exploration of these often turbid waters with muddy bottoms.
My research vessel will serve as the ideal platform for exploration with the BROV. It will allow staying out of the weather and will provide a roomy and comfortable environment. With a complete suite of equipment for navigation of the boat and the BROV I will have a one of a kind system for exploration.
Until completion of my research vessel, I plan to utilize boats of opportunity to do exploration. I hope to partner with others who also have a need or desire to view the underwater world.
explore@benthicrov.net
