Carrying out remote controlled underwater works

A system for execution of remotely controlled underwater works, the system comprising:

• an unmanned underwater vehicle configured to autonomously travel to an underwater work site at which the remotely controlled underwater works are to be performed, the unmanned underwater vehicle including,
• a remotely operated underwater vehicle configured to perform remotely controlled underwater work,
• an autonomously operating underwater vehicle having a first interface configured to establish a data connection,
• a first connection extending from the unmanned underwater vehicle to the remotely operated underwater vehicle and configured to permit data exchange with the remotely operated underwater vehicle,
• a second connection extending from the unmanned underwater vehicle to the remotely operated underwater vehicle and configured to supply energy to the remotely operated underwater vehicle, and
• a third connection extending from the unmanned underwater vehicle to the first interface of the autonomously operating underwater vehicle, third connection being in operative communication with both of the first connection and the remotely operated underwater vehicle and configured to permit data exchange from the remotely operated underwater vehicle to the first interface;
• a control center configured to provide operating instructions to the remotely operated underwater vehicle;
• and
• a connection line having a first end in operative communication with the control center, and an opposing second end comprising a second interface disposed at the underwater work site,
• wherein, the autonomously operating underwater vehicle is configured to autonomously navigate to the second interface after the unmanned underwater vehicle arrives at the underwater work site, and
• wherein the second interface is configured to establish a data connection with the first interface of the autonomously operating underwater vehicle, so as to permit the exchange of data between the control center and the remotely operated underwater vehicle, through each of the connection line, the second interface, the first interface of the autonomously operating underwater vehicle, the third connection, and the first connection.

A method for executing remotely controlled underwater works, the method comprising:

• dispatching an unmanned underwater vehicle that is free from any physical connection to a surface vessel to autonomously navigate to an underwater work site at which the remotely controlled underwater works are to be executed, the unmanned underwater vehicle including,
• a remotely operated underwater vehicle coupled to the unmanned underwater vehicle by both of a first connection configured exchange data with the remotely operated underwater vehicle, and a second connection configured to supply energy to the remotely operated underwater vehicle,
• an autonomously operating underwater vehicle coupled to the unmanned underwater vehicle by a third connection that is configured to exchange data with the remotely operated underwater vehicle through the first connection, and
• an energy storage means;
• releasing the autonomously operating underwater vehicle from the unmanned underwater vehicle so that it is separately navigable from the unmanned underwater vehicle;
• autonomously navigating the autonomously operating underwater vehicle to a second interface of an underwater communication line connected to a control center;
• establishing a connection between a first interface of the autonomously operating underwater vehicle and the second interface, after the autonomously operating underwater vehicle autonomously arrives at the location of the second interface;
• setting up a data connection between the control center and the remotely operated underwater vehicle through the respective connections between each of the communication line, the second interface, the first interface, the third connection, and the first connection;
• and
• executing the remotely controlled underwater works by sending control signals from the control center through the established data connection to the remotely operated underwater vehicle, for execution by the remotely operated underwater vehicle.