ROV operations are the primary mission for the R/V Western Flyer. ROV Doc Ricketts is deployed and recovered through a center well—called a “moon pool”—between the Western Flyer's two hulls. A crane lifts up the ROV and, after the moon pool accordion doors open to the sea below, the crane lowers the submersible into the water, then retrieves it following a dive. Adjacent to the moon pool, a cable-handling system controls the tension of the ROV tether. Photo by Todd Walsh
© 2009 MBARI