Oceanbotics News
NZ Customs ROV Acquisition: Three SRV-8 Units to Combat Drug Smuggling
NZ Customs ROV Acquisition: Three SRV-8 Units to Combat Drug Smuggling IRVINE, CA – In response to increasingly sophisticated maritime smuggling tactics, a new NZ Customs ROV initiative has been announced featuring the acquisition of three advanced SRV-8 Remotely Operated Vehicles. This strategic investment marks a significant leap forward in securing the nation's borders and disrupting illicit drug supply chains entering by sea. The military-grade SRV-8 remotely operated underwater vehicle. Strengthening Regional Security and Interoperability By deploying the SRV-8 remotely operated underwater vehicle, New Zealand Customs Service aligns its technological capabilities with key defense and border agencies in the region, fostering seamless collaboration. "Operating the exact same ROV technology as the Australian Border Force and the Royal New Zealand Navy drastically improves cross-border interoperability." — Paul Campbell, Customs Group Manager Maritime The Australian Border Force is already highly experienced with this specific ROV technology. Their high-stakes [...]
CSUF’s Titan ROV Team Takes 1st Place at National Underwater Robotics Challenge
CSUF’s Titan ROV Team Takes 1st Place at National Underwater Robotics Challenge Students nationwide are gaining hands-on experience in underwater robotics at the year’s premier robot competition: the National Underwater Robotics Challenge (NURC). Hosted by the Firewheel STEM Institute in Chandler, Arizona, NURC highlights robotics for underwater exploration and teaches students advanced manufacturing, 3D printing, and engineering design. The CSUF Titan ROV team's vehicle performing at the NURC in Chandler, Arizona. Supporting the Mission To support this mission, Oceanbotics sponsored the Titan ROV team from Cal State Fullerton (CSUF). For almost a decade, this collegiate team has built remotely operated vehicles for this annual ROV competition. What began as a class project is now a multi-generational underwater ROV build passed down to new students to refine. Oceanbotics founder and CSUF alumnus Robert Jechart sees the program as a vital talent pipeline. Oceanbotics has supported the ROV [...]
Introducing the SRV-8C: Compact, Capable & Cost-Effective ROV
Introducing the SRV-8C: Compact, Capable & Cost-Effective ROV It’s finally here—the SRV-8C. The most compact remotely operated vehicle (ROV) in the Oceanbotics lineup, the SRV-8C delivers the same ease of operation, extreme maneuverability, and intuitive SubNav OS software the SRV-8 Series is known for—now in a streamlined, highly portable system. Standing at just over 15 inches tall, the SRV-8C is designed for efficiency in both size and deployment. The vehicle, tether, and essential accessories can be packed into a single rolling case, enabling rapid mobilization in the field and reducing logistical complexity compared to traditional inspection-class ROV systems. The SRV-8C introduces a new price point for Oceanbotics—making professional-grade underwater inspection more attainable than ever. Compact yet highly capable, the system enables users to perform critical tasks such as object identification, inspection, and retrieval, all while delivering an industry-leading battery life of up to four hours. The SRV-8C completes the SRV-8 [...]
22 ROV Pilot Jobs You Can Get in 2026
As we move toward a world where remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) continue to solve problems and support thousands of industries in different ways, the need for people to manufacture, operate, test, and maneuver these vehicles will only grow. For anyone whose dream has always been to control robots for a living—this one’s for you. What is an ROV Pilot? An ROV pilot is a technically trained professional who operates an unmanned, remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV). The purpose of this role is to have a dedicated operator who understands the ins and outs of ROV navigation, systems, and tooling, and who can safely and effectively complete the mission at hand. Depending on the class and complexity of the ROV, training can range from relatively simple to highly advanced. Because ROVs are used across so many industries and applications, there is always room to grow—learning new tools, [...]
Ask an ROV Pilot: Inside Pipe Profiling with Max Jackson
Ask an ROV Pilot: Inside Pipe Profiling with Max Jackson We sat down with ROV pilot Max Jackson of Underwater Engineering Services Inc. (UESI) to get an inside look at his work inspecting culverts and pipelines across Southeast Florida. This past summer, Max was featured on Smithsonian Channel’s hit series How Did They Fix That?, giving viewers a glimpse into a day in the life of an ROV pilot managing critical infrastructure in hurricane-prone areas. In our conversation, he shares how his work helps protect the state’s canals from storms like Hurricane Milton and what it takes to keep Florida’s waterways safe. Read the full interview below. Walk me through a day as an ROV pilot performing underwater inspections. Max: "We pack up the SRV-8 ROV—it comes in four boxes, which really isn’t much for the amount of equipment. Loading the truck takes about [...]
Post-Hurricane Milton: How Inspection Crews Are Using ROVs to Prepare for the Next Disaster
Post-Hurricane Milton: How Inspection Crews Are Using ROVs to Prepare for the Next Disaster In the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, inspection crews across Florida are rethinking how they approach disaster response and infrastructure resilience. With limited time between storms and growing concerns about underwater infrastructure, teams are turning to remotely operated vehicles (ROVs)—or professional underwater drones—to inspect, repair, and prepare critical systems before the next hurricane strikes. Pre and Post Storm Inspections In the event of another hurricane, civil engineering teams across the state are prioritizing pre-storm inspections of critical infrastructure—such as pipelines, canals, and roadways—to ensure these systems can withstand flooding. Traditionally, advanced divers carried out underwater investigations—collecting data, documenting conditions, and recommending repairs or improvements. Today, instead of sending divers into dangerous, zero-visibility, alligator-prone floodwaters, inspection crews deploy ROVs first. These systems capture high-resolution sonar and video data safely from the surface, [...]