What exactly is an ROV?

Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) are unmanned submersibles which are controlled from the surface by trained pilot technicians. ROVs are used for numerous subsea tasks, from diver observation through to building entire installations.

Usually, the pilot will use sonar and video cameras, mounted on the ROV, to see and navigate and may use a number of different tools to carry out work. With the nearest repair shop, potentially, several hundred miles away, one of the key tasks for any pilot technician is keeping the ROV working.

ROVs are widely used in the off-shore oil and gas industry, as well as in-shore for work such as dam inspection. In addition to this, ROVs are also used in archeology, police and defence industries.  

Read on to find out about careers as an ROV pilot technician