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SCUBAPRO Sunday – Gift Ideas

Sunday, December 18th, 2022

I have never done this, but I wanted to share what I think is the best gear for someone that might want some new dive gear for working divers.

Masks

The Zoom EVO is a low-volume dual lens mask that is appropriate for all divers, but it is especially well-suited for combat divers who need a low-volume mask for diving O2 and for divers who need prescription lenses. The mask’s innovative lens-changing system lets you swap lenses in under a minute without tools. Even with thick gloves, the Zoom EVO’s one-hand nose compartment is easy to access. SCUBAPRO HUD mounts to the mask frame of the zoom.

Steel Comp/ Pro

The Steel Pro and Comp fit a range of faces and noses well. The Steel masks have been one of my favorite masks, and despite the many years of frequent use, I have experienced very little damage to any of them (I have three) (I have three). I don’t use them that much now because you cannot use the HUD with them. I always carry a backup mask. Its modest volume and flexible skirt make it ideal for deep diving. Thanks to the skillfully constructed softer nose pocket, equalization is not a problem.

The Steel Pro/ Comp Freediving Mask is a top-of-the-line low-volume mask. This mask is designed to be worn for lengthy periods.

The SPECTRA provides a broad field of view, a cozy water-blocking seal, and a low-volume design for simple clearing. The SPECTRA employs a clever double-sealed silicone skirt for maximum comfort and is specifically made to accommodate a variety of face shapes.

In addition to enabling the mask to be folded flat for simple packing, push-button buckles that attach to the skirt allow for simple adjustment, optimum strap angle, and range of motion for attaining that perfect fit. All the above masks can use the Comfort and Odin straps, The Odin allowing you to attach your mask to the helmet’s ACH Rails for simple donning and doffing.

Fins

Whenever anyone asks me what my favorite fin is, it is one of these two. I have not been using the Supernova as long as I have the Go Sports, so the Go is honestly my go-to fin (get it go to, go sport?! No, ok, sorry). They are light, so they are great to carry around if needed and have great power and control for tight spaces like being around piers. I have given away many of these fins because I have let guys try them, and they won’t give them back. All that said, the Supernovas are a close second, if not first. They have unmatched power, control, and speed. I have had units try them, and they switched to them that day.

The new Seawing Supernova is a step in performance, construction, fit, and adaptability. Its Pivot Control Technology (PCT) and the Auto-Adjust center panel give the appropriate blade attack angle. PCT hinges set the blade at 40 to 50 degrees, which converts kicks into forward momentum. The Auto-Adjust center panel counter-pivots to fine-tune the angle of attack depending on the strength of the kick. Blade form innovation increases power, speed, and maneuverability. Blade’s center panel membrane adjusts the angle of attack based on kicking strength for simpler cruising and maximum power. A key fob-style multipurpose utility is supplied for breaking it down and reassembly. The heel bungee can be adjusted for use with different size boots. It lets you switch from a winter dive boot to a beach jungle boot.

The SCUBAPRO GO Sport fin has a “boot-fit” design, enabling divers who wear boots for cold water or negotiating rocky shore entries to benefit from the proven kicking performance. Lightweight yet virtually indestructible, this provides great power and control in the water. It is lightweight, making it ideal if needed to carry in the field. The blade has been slightly revised from the original; it now provides mounting points to attach skegs that minimize sideslip and maximize stability. The self-adjusting bungee heel strap allows for a versatile fit. The strap also makes for easy donning and doffing.

Regulators

The MK19 EVO / A700 combines the exceptional breathing capabilities of the A700 with an environmentally sealed first stage from the MK19 EVO that is remarkably resistant to freezing and fouling its inner mechanism. A dry ambient pressure chamber with a double spring for maximum dependability and an LP port swivel turret to maximize hose routing choices are features of the MK19 EVO. The powerful A700 provides best-in-class breathing performance, including smooth inhalation and unsurpassed ease of exhalation. Its precision-manufactured full-metal front cover, valve housing, and casing are all made of metal.

For someone new to diving, the MK2 EVO internal parts, which were created expressly to withstand freezing in extremely cold-water conditions, are downstream piston-style first-stage components. Therefore, you can count on top-notch breathing performance whether you’re reef diving in the Caribbean or wreck diving in the Great Lakes. The R195 is a cutting-edge second-stage design that combines a traditional downstream valve with a sizable diaphragm, a useful purge, and VIVA switch for slick and straightforward operation. The MK2 EVO/R195 is not only the finest option—it is the only option—for both novice and experienced divers seeking a reliable but affordable regulator that can withstand almost all water temperatures.

The MK11 / S270 is a simple, sturdy, and easy-to-use air delivery system for divers looking for dependable performance. Its easy airflow is unaffected by depth, tank pressure, or breathing rate thanks to the balanced diaphragm MK11. With its unbreakable anti-scratch construction and smooth breathing performance, the little S270 can withstand years of rigorous use.

Knives/Cutting Tools

The JAWZ Ti is a versatile, all-in-one multipurpose rescue equipment that is more than just a dive knife. The instrument has two major cutting surfaces with three unique cutting zones, is made of Grade 38 ATI 425 ballistic titanium, and has 316 stainless steel hardware. It also has a heat-injected molded polypropylene thermoplastic grip with a pointed breaker. Choose between a flat black or glow-in-the-dark handle for operating in low light. Included are a sheath and a TacWare J-clip.

The X-Tek X- cut is made from Alpha (hardened) titanium and is used to create versatile, lightweight. Its blade features a line cutter and serrated and smooth cutting edges. The blade is uniquely formed and intended to preserve a cutting edge that is extremely robust for a long lifespan of corrosion-free performance. When focusing on a demanding cutting task, the no-nonsense handle’s contoured design with finger indents and a thumb guard allows you to keep a strong and non-slip hold. A lanyard eyelet is offered so you can always have the knife close to you.

SCUBAPRO WHITE TIP is an ultra-compact, space-saving cutting tool for divers. The WHITE TIP’s blade is made of 304-grade hard-tempered stainless steel for outstanding cutting and oxidation resistance. It has a serrated edge for sawing rope, a standard edge for slicing, and an angled Tanto tip, one of the strongest knife points. A handle slot holds a lanyard. The WHITE TIP is a tiny knife that may be attached to a hose or BCD as a primary knife or carried in a pocket as a backup. I like the Mako also, but I see no need for a bottle opener on a knife.

Black Mask Divers Shears, which rescue divers employ for heavy cutting, may readily cut through entanglements. Marine-grade stainless steel is corrosion-resistant. Most have nylon sheaths; however, Black Mask divers’ have Kydex sheaths. Nylon sheaths must dry before storing shears. But with Black Mask diver ones, they’re dry practically immediately. Also, it’s one-handed. The shear holster system may be mounted anywhere, drawn, and re-holstered with one hand, even when wearing gloves. The sheath can be used with almost any standard trauma shears.

Wetsuits

The new line with its multi-thickness panels, blind stitched seams, and soft inner fleece (Dimond Span Lining), the newest SCUBAPRO’s Everflex Yulex wetsuit is genuinely one of the most comfortable dive wetsuits available. Regardless of runtime, depth, or task loading, the wetsuit provides the highest possible level of stretchability and comfort; after all, you are looking for the best. It is extremely rare for a wetsuit with a thickness of 3 millimeters to offer sufficient thermal protection to be classified as a Class C diving suit in Europe. SCUABPROs new wetsuits, the EVERFLEX 3/2MM, has done this. To say that this is a testimonial to the premium materials, structure, and design of the EVERFLEX 3/2MM wetsuit is an understatement. This wetsuit is widely considered to be the best option for diving. This incredibly cozy steamer was designed with SCUBAPRO’s Pure Design Concept, ensuring a superb fit while allowing complete freedom of movement. The suit can move more naturally with your body due to the preformed dimensional shapes, which deliver unprecedented comfort and flexibility. All Everflex steamers are constructed with 100% Everflex Yulex material. This is the new standard for wetsuits right now.

Lights

A small but powerful dive light that fits in a pocket is the Nova 250. It has an over-pressure valve to release battery off-gassing and three modes: 100% power, 50% power, and Flash, making it the safest compact light on the market. The Nova 250 uses a CR123 battery to produce 250 lumens of illumination (rechargeable or disposable). You shouldn’t worry if the CR123 throwaway battery is left in your BCD pocket during the winter because it has a shelf life of up to 10 years.

Products are available from www.scubapro.com

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SCUBAPRO Sunday – Operation Flipper

Sunday, December 4th, 2022

Operation Flipper was a raid by the Combined Operations to kill Field Marshall Erwin Rommel at his headquarters in Sidi Rafa, Libya, that would take place between 10-19 November 1941. The attack would use man from Combined Operations, Special Boat Services (SBS), No. 11 Commando, Long Range Desert Group (LRDG), and also the man from the Special Operations Executive (SOE) G(R). This raid was to be a smaller part of a more significant campaign to relieve Tobruk and push the Axis from North Africa.

The operation had four main objectives, first and foremost was to kill Rommel at his headquarters, destroy the nearby Italian headquarters and its communications network, sabotage the Italian Intelligence Office in Appolonia and its communications network between Faidia and Lamdula, and lastly, conduct general sabotage actions elsewhere in the Axis forces rear area.

Leading the mission was Colonel Robert Laycock. His second in command was Lieutenant Colonel Geoffrey Keyes. On November 10, 1941, Laycock’s six officers and 53 men boarded the submarines Torbay and Talisman and left Alexandria harbor for Beda Littoria, Cyrenaica. Waiting for them on the beach was Captain Jock Haselden and an Arab soldier from the SOE’s G(R). They would guide the folbots (early versions of Klepper type canoes) to the beach and help them ashore. Once ashore, they would meet up with the rest of Haselden man, including two more Brits, a free Belgian, and another Arab soldier who stayed further inland; all had been dropped off by the LRDG earlier that day. Haselden’s team had local knowledge of the area; one of the Arabs would lead the assault team to the target while the rest of Haselden’s team would sabotaging the communications. Keyes got himself and all his men ashore. But as Layton and his men prepared to disembark, a storm struck. Heavy seas drove Talisman aground, and only Layton and seven men reached the beach.

With his force cut in half, Keyes modified the plan. It would be a two-part assault; Keyes would attack Rommel’s HQ, and Lt. Roy Cooke would lead the Italian headquarters’ attack. Layton and a small force would defend the force’s escape route. On the evening of November 15, Keyes, Cooke, and their men headed inland. Despite the weather, the groups managed to reach their respective launch positions on the evening of November 17. At midnight, they attacked. Keyes, leading a three-person assault team, burst into the villa identified as Rommel’s headquarters. They surprised a German officer who was killed as he struggled with Keyes. The attackers then rushed down the hall, and Keyes opened a room where ten Germans were arming themselves. One of the Germans shot Keyes, killing him. What the team didn’t know was that Rommel had left the compound a week earlier for Rome. After Keyes’s death, things started to get worse.

Campbell was shot in the leg by one of his men. He passed command to Sergeant Jack Terry and remained behind. Terry gathered the raiding team and retreated with 17 men to rejoin Laycock at the beach. Cooke’s men encountered a platoon or so of Italian police paratroopers. The Italians had been searching for the British raiders close to the village Mansura north of Cyrene. With the Italian and Germans looking for the raiding party, Laycock knew it would be impossible to re-embark on the submarines as they waited for the weather to improve. They were discovered and exchanged fire with local Italian and German troops. Low on ammo and aware that they could not stand off a larger force, Laycock ordered the men to scatter. Laycock and Terry made it to safety after 37 days in the desert. Bombardier John Brittlebank, one of the SBS teams who had guided the commandos in the folbots, escaped and survived alone in the desert for forty days until Allied troops picked him up. The rest of the raiding force was captured, some of them were wounded.

The raid was considered a failure by the British high command, but to the Germans, especially to Rommel, it showed what the Combined Operations could do. It would also help Winston Churchill decide to put the Commando’s and other groups under the SOE after the British military decide they didn’t need them anymore. Rommel was quoted as saying, “It was a brilliant operation and with great audacity.” Rommel ordered that Keyes and all the rest of the Commandos be buried with full military honors, sending his personal chaplain, priest Rudolf Dalmrath, to officiate. He had cypress crosses and wreaths made for the British and German dead. Rommel also instructed that photographs be taken of the ceremony and Keyes’ grave and sent them to his parents, a chivalrous act that increased British respect for him. British Special Operations would continue to wreak havoc thru out the Africa Theater of Operation, significantly contributing to the Allies victory.

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SCUBAPRO Sunday – The Seawing Supernova

Sunday, November 27th, 2022

The Seawing Supernova are like the MultiCam of fins. If you understand camo, you know that MultiCam is a camouflage pattern developed for usage in a variety of settings. It is said it can be used in 70% of the world. When it comes to frog and alternate kicks, the new twin-tip winglets increase control and markedly improve maneuverability. I started using the Supernovas a couple of months ago and noticed a difference immediately. I felt like I had a lot more maneuverability than with conventional fins. It also feels like what you expect a great dive fin to feel, but without the weight and, honestly, a lot more flexibility on the kicks, Frog, Reverse, Scissor or Flutter.

A diving fin needs power, and the Seawing Supernova has it. The fins are designed with Pivot Control Technology. The blade is pre-set in the 40º to 50º range, which is the appropriate angle of attack for the blade and ideal for translating kicks into forward propulsion.

The blade’s revolutionary flexible Auto-Adjust center panel coordinates with this hinge mechanism to adjust the angle of attack by counter-pivoting in response to the force of the kick. So, what does that all mean? On a traditional paddle fin, the harder you kick, the more the blade bends. That means a soft fin will achieve the ideal 45-degree angle when kicked gently but will over-bend and lose thrust when kicked hard. On the other hand, stiffer fins achieve that ideal 45-degree angle when kicked hard but remain too flat to be efficient when kicked gently.

Consequently, both types require the diver to compromise their kicking style to get any efficiency out of the fin.

When you are fining, you can kick so hard that it will bend the blade so far back that it can “technical” pull you backward; this offers a softer angle of attack for comfort while lightly kicking, a more aggressive angle of attack when powerfully kicking, and anything in between. New twin-tip winglets improve control and maneuverability when doing frog and alternating kicks.

The Seawing Supernova, winner of the prestigious Red Dot Award for product design, is a remarkable improvement over the Seawing Nova in terms of performance, construction, fit, and versatility. It also features a cutting-edge blade shape that generates significantly more power, speed, and maneuverability.

The Seawing Supernova also has a novel two-piece design, with the blade and foot pocket molded separately, is made of quality Monprene® for maximum durability, and breaks down effortlessly for transport. This will also allow you two change your blades as SCUBAPRO designed more. The Seawing Supernova’s open heel foot pocket has an updated heavy-duty bungee strap that enables micro-adjustments to accommodate various boot types and extended grip pads that improve non-skid traction on wet surfaces. It is sold as an open heel set with a foot pocket and blade already built.

Additionally, the two-piece construction enables the option of a full foot pocket in place of the usual open heel foot pocket for barefoot diving. You may quickly get ready to hit the water by disassembling the fin’s Socket-Lock Connecting System, replacing the open heel foot pocket with a complete foot pocket, and then reassembling. The entire foot pocket also has a re-profiled heel-retention cup to reduce slippage and chafing and is made of superior Monprene®

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Liberty Lifter Aims to Revolutionize Heavy Air Lift

Saturday, November 26th, 2022

Large seaplane concept envisions extended operations, affordable production, advanced controls

DARPA has launched the Liberty Lifter project to demonstrate a leap in operational logistics capabilities by designing, building, and flying a long-range, low-cost X-plane capable of seaborne strategic and tactical lift. The new vehicle concept seeks to expand upon existing cargo aircraft by proving revolutionary heavy air lift abilities from the sea.

The envisioned plane will combine fast and flexible strategic lift of very large, heavy loads with the ability to take off/land in water. Its structure will enable both highly controlled flight close to turbulent water surfaces and sustained flight at mid-altitudes. In addition, the plane will be built with a low-cost design and construction philosophy.

Although current sealift is very efficient in transporting large amounts of payload, it is vulnerable to threats, requires functional ports, and results in long transit times. Traditional airlift is much faster, but has limited ability to support maritime operations. Additionally, today, such aircraft suffer payload limitations or require long runways.

There is a history of attempting to develop aircraft created to fly with “wing-in-ground effect,” which means the aircraft is flying no more than the length of its wingspan above ground or water. The most well-known examples are the Soviet “ekranoplans.” These vehicles were high speed and runway- independent, but were restricted to calm waters and had limited maneuverability.

“This first phase of the Liberty Lifter program will define the unique seaplane’s range, payloads, and other parameters,” said Alexander Walan, a program manager in DARPA’s Tactical Technology Office. “Innovative advances envisioned by this new DARPA program will showcase an X-plane demonstrator that offers warfighters new capabilities during extended maritime operations.”

To address the shortcomings of existing vehicles and operational concepts, the Liberty Lifter program focuses on addressing three main challenges.

Extended Maritime Operations: Emphasis will be placed on operating in turbulent sea states by creating high-lift abilities at low speeds to reduce wave impact load during takeoff/landing, and innovative design solutions to absorb wave forces. In addition, the project will address risks of vehicle collision during high-speed operation in congested environments. Finally, the aim is for the vehicle to operate at sea for weeks at a time without land-based maintenance activities.

Full-Scale Affordable Production: Construction will prioritize low-cost, easy-to-fabricate designs over exquisite, low-weight concepts. Materials should be more affordable than those in traditional aircraft manufacturing and available to be purchased in large quantities.

Complex Flight and Sea Surface Controls: Advanced sensors and control schemes will be developed to avoid large waves and to handle aero/hydro-dynamic interactions during takeoff/landing.

Posted in Aviation, Maritime, Press Release | 3 Comments »

SCUBAPRO Sunday – Operation Vengeance

Sunday, November 13th, 2022

One of the biggest codebreaking achieved by Naval intelligence during WWII was on April 14, 1943, they learned that Adm. Isokoru Yamamoto was preparing a visit to the upper Solomon Islands to inspect Japanese bases. Commander in Chief Pacific Fleet Adm. Chester W. Nimitz immediately relayed the details to Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox, who informed President Franklin D. Roosevelt. According to reports, the president’s response was “Get Yamamoto.” Whether or not the president actually said those terms, the order was given to assassinate the mastermind of the Pearl Harbor attack.

Ironically, the object of American vengeance had repeatedly put his life on the line by speaking out against US wars. He saw how poor industrial Japan was in comparison to the United States and the United Kingdom because of his postings in America and England.

When asked how he thought a war between Japan and America would go, Yamamoto replied that he would “run wild for six months or a year, but after that I have absolutely no confidence.”

“It is a mistake to consider Americans as luxury-loving and weak,” Yamamoto said in a meeting with classmates from his hometown of Nagaoka on Sept. 18, 1941. Remember the American industry is much more mature than ours, and they have unlimited oil supplies, unlike us. Japan would never be able to defeat the United States. As a result, we should refrain from fighting the US.”

When his government decided to go to war, Yamamoto put his personal feelings aside and pledged to do everything in his power to win.

Yamamoto was playing chess with a member of his team, Capt. Yasuji Watanabe, when they learned over the radio about the assault on Pearl Harbor and Japan’s subsequent declaration of war. “That’s too bad, Watanabe,” he said. Tell the Emperor that the navy did not intend it this way from the start if I die before you.”

Operation Vengeance is a vengeance-seeking operation.

Adm. Yamamoto was killed when the Betty bomber was shot down over Bougainville on April 18, 1943.

Following that came an incredible run of Japanese victories. The Imperial Japanese Fleet was then defeated at Midway, nearly six months to the day after Pearl Harbor. Yamamoto saw the writing on the wall when the arduous Guadalcanal war ended in early 1943. “I sense that my life must be completed in the next hundred days,” he wrote in a letter to a friend in Marchs. He left for the south to oversee the next phase of the operation.

Operation I-Go was a joint Japanese navy-army aerial counter-offensive launched on April 1, 1943, to halt American advances in the Solomon Islands and New Guinea. Yamamoto, now based in Rabaul, decided on April 13 that he wanted to inspect Japanese bases in the upper Solomons. Yamamoto halted the offensive on April 16, pending the completion of his inspection, after acknowledging without question exaggerated pilot reports of ship sinking’s and aircraft shootdowns.

Eighteen P-38s were chosen and fitted with special drop tanks (sixteen for the assault, two spares). While the others targeted the fighter escorts, a “killer” flight of four fighters led by Capt. Thomas G. Lanphier, Jr. would target the two Betty bombers containing Yamamoto and his staff.

Nimitz had to time his window of opportunity to intercept Yamamoto perfectly. Fortunately for him, his opponent was known for being punctual. Yamamoto’s path was outside the control of naval fighters, but it was within the range of Army Air Force P-38Gs that had recently been deployed to Guadalcanal.

Maj. John Mitchell USAAF, commander of Squadron 339, found himself assisting Vice Adm. Marc Mitscher and other senior commanders in preparing the assault on April 17. The intercept will take place over Bougainville Island. A 1,000-mile round trip was planned, with a 600-mile roundabout approach from the south. Eighteen P-38s were chosen and fitted with special drop tanks (sixteen for the assault, two spares). While the others targeted the fighter escorts, a “killer” flight of four fighters led by Capt. Thomas G. Lanphier, Jr. would target the two Betty bombers containing Yamamoto and his staff.

Operation Vengeance is a vengeance-seeking operation.

Any of the pilots who flew Adm. Yamamoto’s assassination flight, Operation Vengeance. From left to right: William Smith, Doug Canning, Besby F. Holmes, Rex Barber (historians believe he was the pilot who shot down Yamamoto), John William Mitchell, Louis Kittel, and Gordon Whittiker. Roger Ames, Lawrence Graebner, Julius Jacobsen; Eldon Stratton, Albert Long, and Everett Anglin; and unknown, crouching from left to right. Image from the National Archives

The P-38s of Operation Vengeance took off at 7:25 a.m. on April 18, the first anniversary of the Doolittle Raid. They arrived at the intercept point at 9:34 a.m. and saw their objective exactly on time.

While the other planes assaulted the other escorts, Lanphier and 1st Lt. Rex T. Barber of the killer flight split up to target the Bettys and immediate escorts. One P-38 and its pilot, 1st Lt. Raymond K. Hine, were killed when both bombers were shot down.

“That son of a bitch will not be dictating any peace terms in the White House,” Lanphier radioed shortly before noon, as the returning P-38s prepared to land at Henderson Field. Yamamoto was no longer alive. Lanphier’s comment was a misinterpretation of Yamamoto’s words, as he broke radio silence to say. Yamamoto was implying that a military victory over America could not be achieved by winning a single war, or even a series of battles.

The Navy Cross was awarded to any pilot who took part in the assault. The question of who shot down Yamamoto’s plane sparked a debate, with both Lanphier and Barber claiming responsibility. Barber was later identified as the perpetrator by historians.

Posted in Advertiser, Guest Post, History, Maritime | 6 Comments »

SOFWERX to Host USSOCOM PEO-Maritime Undersea (PEO-M) Battery Charger Assessment Event

Wednesday, November 9th, 2022

SOFWERX, in collaboration with USSOCOM Program Executive Office-Maritime Undersea (PEO-M), will host an Assessment Event (AE) to identify solutions for the submersible vehicle programs Battery Charger 10-12 January 2023.

The PEO-M submersible vehicle programs requires a charging solution to be installed on a host vessel to charge the Main Batteries on the submersible during transport. The Power Supply shall have well defined interfaces and will need to meet current and planned future capabilities. The solution will need to fit in a predefined space and interface with existing host vessel infrastructure.

Details at events.sofwerx.org/charger

U.S. Citizens Only. Submit NLT 02 December 2022 11:59 PM ET.

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HII Unveils REMUS 620 Unmanned Underwater Vehicle

Wednesday, November 9th, 2022

Enhanced Endurance, Mission Capacity and Odyssey™ Advanced Autonomy

MCLEAN, Va., Nov. 07, 2022 — HII’s (NYSE: HII) Mission Technologies division has revealed a new medium-class unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV): REMUS 620.

Building on the design philosophy of the highly successful REMUS 300 — recently selected by the U.S. Navy as the program of record for the Lionfish Small UUV — the REMUS 620 has a battery life of up to 110 hours and a range of 275 nautical miles, providing unmatched mission capabilities for mine countermeasures, hydrographic surveys, intelligence collection, surveillance and electronic warfare.

“Retaining a forward strategic advantage requires the ability to deliver a multitude of effects from under the sea,” said Duane Fotheringham, president of Mission Technologies’ Unmanned Systems business group. “The REMUS 620 is the first medium UUV designed to accurately deliver this range of advanced above-and-below water effects at long range.”

Built to support current and next-generation naval and special operations forces operations, REMUS 620 features a modular, open architecture design to facilitate seamless payload integration and HII’s Odyssey™ suite of advanced autonomy solutions for intelligent, robotic platforms.

REMUS 620 is the same size and weight of the first and only full-rate production medium UUVs: the MK 18 Mod 2, Littoral Battleship Sensing-Autonomous Undersea Vehicle (LBS-AUV) and LBS-Razorback systems operated by the U.S. Navy’s Mine Countermeasure Squadrons, U.S. Naval Oceanographic Office and Submarine Forces, respectively.

Multiple REMUS 620s operating collaboratively can be deployed from submarines, small manned or unmanned boats, amphibious ships, surface combatants and helicopters. REMUS 620 can also be used as a platform to launch and operate other unmanned vehicles or payloads from beneath the sea.

Energy
REMUS 620 is equipped with multiple batteries capable of 110 hours and a range of 275 nautical miles per mission, which provides unmatched multi-day endurance, range and stealth. The increased REMUS battery life enables the UUV to execute a significantly longer route to and from a mission area than previously afforded by medium-class vehicles. The energy modules are swappable, allowing for quick turnaround and incorporation of alternative energy sources as they become available.

Intelligence
REMUS 620 is built with modern core electronics, navigation and communication systems, and the vehicle’s open architecture can now be enhanced with HII Odyssey™, a suite of advanced autonomy solutions for intelligent, robotic platforms. The vehicle includes the new Odyssey Mission Management Software.

Multi-Mission
REMUS 620 standard synthetic aperture sonar payload can be replaced or enhanced for multi-mission capabilities, including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and cyber and electronic warfare operations.

REMUS 620 builds on the success of HII’s REMUS platforms, with 30 years of innovation and delivery of more than 600 UUVs to 30 countries worldwide, including 14 NATO member countries. The scientific community will also benefit from the payload flexibility and variety of environmental sensors that can be easily added to the base vehicle.

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SCUBAPRO Sunday – Boat Maintenance

Sunday, November 6th, 2022

Knowing what you have is necessary before you can even diagnose a problem or figure out what kind of work your inflatable might need. You must first be informed that there are two different kinds of cloth available: PVC and Hypalon (CSM).

Due to the differences in their construction, each requires a unique approach to maintenance and repairs. As with so many maritime-related things, periodic checks of your boat will help you identify minor concerns before they turn into bigger ones. Like everything else, UV is the worst thing for PVC and Hypalon. Do a visual and rub your hands along the boat’s tubes to help find dry or cracked spots, “alligatoring”, but you will need to improve your UV protection.

To start your inspection, fill your spray bottle with liquid soap, pump the boat to specifications from the aft to the forward (drum tight), and then begin spraying. It will be more effective to set your spray nozzle to create a wide mist than a narrow jet. In both cases, make sure to soak the tubes thoroughly. Finding air bubbles is essential because they are a surefire indicator of leaks. Keep an eye out for valves, cones, and seams. Rarely are leaks cooperative enough to show up on a field of open tubes. Nope, they would much rather stand next to or even behind some fitting or label.

Check the cloth for wear, especially the tube tops. Where guys will sit with all their gear on, and it might rub holes or start to rub holes. They will eventually dry out and begin to leak. Check for wear on all the attachments and accessories. Some accessories will droop and chafe the tube fabric as the tubes deflate in colder conditions. Don’t forget to check the holders for the transom.

Look under the boat to inspect the bottom for wear, particularly to the areas around the transom and where strips connect it to the tubes. While you’re at it, grip the tube-to-hull strips directly to check for any fabric that may have come loose. Keep a close lookout for rot if your transom is made of wood.

Lastly, examine all the valves. Are all the caps present? The “plungers” are they free to move? It’s okay to spray a little more of the soap mixture while you’re rummaging around to clear out any sand or other debris that may have started to gather.

Before putting the boats away, give your tubes a UV treatment in addition to routine checks. Use a manufacturer-recommended UV protectant. There are several goods available.

Spray the boat down after every use and give it a good cleaning before you stow it away. Salt away is a great product to help get all the salt off the boat. Never leave an inflatable in the sun to the recommended pressure after filling it. This is especially true for PVC boats with glued seams since you could stress the seams and produce leaks (or worse). On the other hand, buzzing around while the tubes are not inflated to the proper pressure will undoubtedly ruin those handy transom holders. This is due to the outboard’s vibration, which will cause the tubes to start pulling away from the transom if they aren’t pushed tightly against its sides. Inflatable air chambers are divided by internal baffles that keep them apart in the event of an accident-punctured chamber. These baffles also balance the air pressure throughout all the chambers’ connections.

Underway repair You should always keep the following supplies on board: a hand pump, duct tape, ClamSeal, and some beach balls.

It isn’t much you can do if a boat is punctured below the water line besides pumping air using a hand pump to reduce the air leak. You can buy a ClamSeal for quick emergency repairs in torn inflatables.

Duct tape can temporarily repair punctures inside the boat that is in easily accessible areas. Before applying duct tape, the area around the puncture should be cleansed with acetone to ensure a proper seal. After that, you can pump air into the boat to slow the escaping air, allowing you to land as soon as possible. If a hole gets ripped in the sponson before you put the ClamSeal on, you can set the beach ball in there and inflate it when it is in there, which will help make the sponson more stable. Then try and close the hole with tape or a ClamSeal. On a side note, you can also use flex seal tape or other products. The downside is getting all the adhesive off that spot to repair the hole, but that is a dry land problem.

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