HFT ViperFish II, Deep Towed Depressor

The ViperFish II is a joint development project between Innova and HFT, based upon previous
depressor designs undertaken by HFT and the designs of the communications- , control-
and handling systems undertaken by Innova AS.
The design is a combination of a hydrodynamic depressor design and a heavily ballasted
"clump weight".

The ViperFish II is a fully steerable and controllable depressor intended for heavy work in
deep water. The main purpose is to be a sub sea "Tug" for other towed equipment like the
Turbot, test equipment or other scientific sensors. It may also be instrument carrier in it's
own right.

It is controlled from the surface vessel making use of on board altimeter, pressure sensor
and INS. The navigation system on the surface vessel – combining own navigation and
depth data with data from the VFII will keep a safe distance from the seabed as well as keeping
the best possible heading and position.

It may also be equipped with Buoyancy and Acoustic Release to dump the ballast and heavy tow cable to enable
a safe recovery of equipment in case of cable breakage or other circumstances like entanglement in other
objects near the seabed.