Hyper-Dolphin
Gallery
Overview
JAMSTEC's long-serving deep-sea ROV, used for Japanese marine biology and geology dives.
Hyper-Dolphin is a remotely operated vehicle that Japan's marine research agency JAMSTEC has used since 2000 to film and sample the deep sea around Japan. Built in Canada, the 3.8-tonne vehicle carries high-definition cameras and two manipulator arms for biological and geological work. It was originally rated to 3,000 m and is now listed by JAMSTEC as a 4,500 m vehicle. Pilots fly it from a research ship through a tether that carries power and live video.
Primary Roles
Notes
About 3 x 2 x 2 m and 3.8 t in air. Built by Canadian engineers (International Submarine Engineering) around 1999-2000 and originally rated to 3,000 m; JAMSTEC's current equipment page lists a maximum survey depth of 4,500 m. It was first operated from R/V Natsushima.
