This is the shell of a Deep Trekker mini ROV, like those used to explore inside HMS Erebus and HMS Terror.
You can see how small it is. It’s perfect for getting into tight spots inside wrecks.
The aluminium outer shell rotates so its thrusters can drive it in any direction. A pivoting high-definition (HD) camera would be installed inside and it would also have spotlights to shine on whatever it’s filming.
It can dive to 200 m, cope with water temperatures of -5°C – +50°C and its battery lasts for up to eight hours.
Archaeologists used these small Deep Trekkers to explore areas inside the lower decks of the HMS Erebus wreck, which they could not enter. The divers inserted the ROV into the ship and tended its cable, while keeping in constant voice communication with the pilot on the surface. This combination of underwater minding and remote driving proved a very effective way to control the vehicle.
In Greek mythology, Erebus is the personification of darkness and shadows. HMS Erebus now lives in the cold, dark Arctic waters, but new technologies are helping archaeologists bring more and more of its story to light.
While this Deep Trekker didn’t actually visit the Franklin wrecks, it has starred in lots of TV shows, filming sea creatures. It’s even survived been bitten by a great white shark, when it was dressed up as a seal to film a segment for Shark Week.
This DTG3 (Deep Trekker Generation 3) was donated by Deep Trekker, a Canadian company.
Deep Trekker disguised as a seal to film sharks. Photos from Deep Trekker Inc