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| The Aquarium's R.O.V. (remotely operated vehicle), which debuted at the April 30, 2006 Commotion in the Ocean event, is used for many Aquarium education activities. Photo: Fabian Lewkowicz |
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| Aquarium volunteer Mike Benzimra (left) and co-designer Kurt Holland deploy the R.O.V. into the Santa Monica Bay. Photo: Fabian Lewkowicz |
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The Aquarium’s new R.O.V. (remotely operated vehicle) provides safe, fun and eye-opening underwater views of the Santa Monica Bay for educational events and programs.
Santa Monica Pier Aquarium Educator Nick Fash, in conjunction with Kurt Holland, a middle school teacher from Santa Monica Alternative School House and Aquarium advisory board member, designed and built an R.O.V. as a fun and valuable tool to compliment the Aquarium's many education activities.
While most commercial R.O.V.s are extremely expensive — they must perform many functions in very hostile deep ocean conditions — the Aquarium's version — designed for underwater video from the relatively shallow Santa Monica Bay — was built for a few hundred dollars from materials easily found at local hardware and electronics stores. A submersible camera was added at an additional expense. The simple design can be recreated in a classroom setting with students and is a possible future education project at the aquarium.
Although the Aquarium's R.O.V. is less complex than the highly advanced versions utilized by the military and oil exploration companies, its general function is the same: it is operated by a pilot and driven around the ocean sending information back to the control area.
The instrument was officially unveiled April 30, 2006 during the Commotion in the Ocean event at the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium. During the day, hundreds of people of all ages operated the R.O.V. off the west end of the Santa Monica Pier.
Unfortunately, due to a heavy algal bloom that day, the visibility was no more than a foot. However, participants were able to operate the R.O.V. around the pier and observe the mussels, gooseneck barnacles, and other life living on the pier pilings. Participants were excited to get a chance to not only observe the life below the waves, but also to be in the R.O.V. driver seat above.
The R.O.V. is housed at the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium where it is used for educational events and educational programs. Keep an eye out for future R.O.V. expeditions!
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