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Description

What is a submersible?

A submersible vessel on a tourism expedition to explore the wrecks of the Titanic met with an accident.

What is submersible? 

A submersible is a type of watercraft that is designed to operate underwater. It is typically smaller in size and is often used for scientific research, exploration, or recreational purposes. Submersibles are capable of submerging and resurfacing, but they are not designed for prolonged underwater operation or extended travel distances. They are usually operated by a small crew or even remotely controlled.

Difference between submersible and submarine

On the other hand, a submarine is a specialized naval vessel that is designed for extended underwater operation and long-distance travel. Submarines are larger and more complex than submersibles. They are built to be fully self-contained and capable of sustaining a crew for extended periods, sometimes weeks or months, beneath the surface of the water. Submarines are equipped with various systems, including propulsion, life support, communication, and weapons, allowing them to operate independently underwater.

While both submersibles and submarines can operate underwater, the key differences lie in their size, purpose, capabilities, and the duration for which they are designed to remain submerged. Submersibles are smaller, used for specific tasks, and are not intended for extended underwater operations. Submarines, on the other hand, are larger, military vessels designed for extended underwater missions and long-distance travel.

Types of submersibles

• Human-Occupied Vehicles (HOVs)

HOVs transport a small team of scientists and pilots directly to the seafloor for a limited amount of time. Similar to the other submersibles, HOVs are equipped with tools such as lights, cameras, sensors, manipulator arms, and collection instruments. HOVs are renowned for their contribution to research breakthroughs over the past many years, including the investigation of the RMS Titanic shipwreck.

• Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) 

ROVs are tethered underwater robots used for research, exploration, and imagery collection. ROVs are tethered to the ship, allowing control signals to be sent and received directly between topside operators and the subsea vehicle. Many ROVs can also collect samples via a manipulator arm operated by a pilot.

• Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs)

AUVs are independent underwater robots used to explore the ocean. Unlike ROVs, AUVs are untethered from ship, allowing them to complete preplanned missions without direct control from an operator. Once deployed, AUVs operate on their own, guided by a pre-planned route. An AUV collects high-resolution data, which is stored within the vehicle and collected by researchers once the AUV has surfaced.