Bibby HydroMap approached Twenty20 Engineering with this design project. Soon after taking delivery and commencing sea trails of their bespoke, state of the art, survey ROV. Bibby HydroMap wanted to have commissioned a fully operational survey skid for when the ROV had completed its sea trials. After an extensive consultation period, the main specifications were agreed:

The Survey Skid was to have a SWL of 1350kg, to handle the deadload of the ROV and LARS system

Have a FOS of 5 to cope with dynamic loading in adverse sea and weather conditions

Have maximum wing span of 3m

Easily change between Multi-Beam Echo Sounders on the folding wings

Hydraulically operated folding wings with fail safe system to allow recovery through a moon pool, with a “dead” ROV

Design to be modular and lightweight to allow easy and cost-effective transportation.

Ensure corrosion and galvanic resistance between the skid and High Voltage electrical survey equipment

Due to the nature of this project a Platinum level package was selected, with additional mechanical analysis. A fully working CAD model and technical drawing pack was produced, and scale 3D printed prototype was created before sign off. Further independent load testing was carried out after manufacture

Although Bibby HydroMap felt it was within there comfort zone to ensure manufacture of the modular aluminium assemblies, the bespoke stainless-steel hydraulic rams and plastic components were project managed by Twenty20 Engineering.

The project was completed within 6 weeks and 10% below budget, meeting Bibby HydroMap’s requirements