Remote Underwater Manipulator (RUM III)

This paper describes RUM III, a new remotely operated seafloor search and work vehicle being designed for use in the abyssal plains and spreading centers of the world's ocean basins. The vehicle will operate at the end of 10,000 meters of coaxial strain cable to a depth of 5000 meters. Anticipated uses include documented coring in the deep-sea floor, benthic ecology studies, investigation of spreading centers and deep-sea vents, development of assessment technology for polymetallic sulfide deposits, emplacement and replenishment of long term deep-sea instrument systems, and the recovery of lost instruments from the seafloor.