Concept of operations for the NAVOCEANO ORCA vehicle

The Naval Oceanographic Office (NAVOCEANO) plans to operate Oceanographic Remotely Controlled Automatons (ORCAs) as remotely operated vehicles aboard the new T-AGS 60 class survey ships. ORCA is an unmanned, diesel-powered semi-submersible vehicle outfitted with a shallow-water multibeam bathymetric system. Vehicle control and sensor data are telemetered between the vehicle and ship. Considerable operation and support requirements will be necessary to operate the ORCA routinely although NAVOCEANO has no experience with these vehicles to date. A concept of operations describing ORCA's operation and support requirements is presented. System configuration, personnel support, survey concept, and planned upgrades are considered.