NEWS
JUNIOR DIVERS AND MARINE ENTHUSIASTS BUILD AN ROV WORKSHOP FEATURE AND PHOTOGRAPHY AL MAHARA DIVING CENTER
When you bring PADI Junior divers and techDavy kids together, you will be surprised by the amazing end results. This month Al Mahara Diving Center, Abu Dhabi provided an opportunity to teach the youths how to design and build an underwater remote operating vehicle. The workshop was inspired by a Nautical Archaeological Society instructor, Ian Cundy whom came to Abu Dhabi a couple of years ago to teach the Marine Archaeological Recorder course. He had taught university students how to build an underwater ROV. So the idea was born to develop an interactive and practical workshop for youths on how to design and build an underwater ROV. The workshop was led by Peter Mainka, a PADI Master Instructor and assisted by Alistair Russell and was held at the Al Mahara Diving Center at the Beach Rotana Hotel. The 3 hour workshop began with an introduction about ROVs, the history, application and design. It was followed by dividing the group into teams of three and
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DIVERS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT | JUNE 2018
having each teach design and build an ROV using the materials that were supplied. The materials included 3 thrusters, PVC piping, a remote control box, an artery source, 18m of cables and lots of positively buoyant materials for buoyancy adjustments. .Just like a marine lab, the teams gathered all their materials and built their prototypes. Once completed, all the units were tested in the sea. During the inwater test, the Junior ROV creators continued to modify their designs to ensure better buoyancy control while manoeuvring the units through the water. The next workshop will include mounting accessories such as GoPros and lights, and practicing operations. Here’s what some of the kids said about the weekend: “It was a lot of fun and we have to add more power next time.” Xander “It was really awesome, thank you.” Adrian
