Built for modern ROTV survey operations

STR OpTow

The OpTow is an electrically operated marine survey winch packaged with a high-performance hybrid electro-optical tow cable, optimised for Remotely Operated Tow Vehicle (ROTV) operations.

By enabling high bandwidth communications that cannot be achieved with conventional electrical-only tow cables, OpTow supports advanced survey sensors such as Synthetic Aperture Sonars (SAS), Multibeam Sonars (MBES) and video imaging systems used for seabed mapping and inspection. Remote operation and control also supports lean-crewed vessel operations and modern survey workflows.

As a fully optimised package, OpTow ensures the most technically compliant system on the market today.

Engineered as a complete winch and cable package

OpTow provides a standardised and repeatable winch-and-cable package designed for ease of use and minimised operating costs. It is easy to mobilise and features a fully interchangeable footprint, power requirements and control interfacing with STR SeaTow products used for conventional geophysical surveys.

Built for modern control environments, the system supports remote interfacing for plug-and-play compatibility with active heave compensation controllers, Remote Operator Centre workflows, ship-wide control applications and client specific control software. The unit can be fully controlled and configured remotely via Modbus.

At the centre of the package is STR’s tow cable design, strengthened specifically for ROTV operations and optimised for optical data transmission. This specification is unique to STR, delivering low loss power transmission, fibre optic bandwidth capability and analogue and digital copper-based communications.   OpTow is supported by STR’s 24/7/365 support network, helping operators remain fully operational during critical offshore campaigns.

Key Features

Optimised for ROTV operation
Hybrid fibre & electrical umbilical
Low-loss fibre slipring
Remote and local joystick control
Remote Operator Centre interface
High-speed operation

Key Benefits

High bandwidth communications enabled by hybrid electro-optical technology – OpTpow enables fibre optic transmission for data-heavy survey sensors, sonar systems and video imaging devices.
Lower maintenance burden vs hydraulic winches – Electrical operation reduces maintenance requirements and removes hydraulic fluid-related servicing needs.
Reduced operating cost – Lower operating costs through reduced consumables, fewer maintenance requirements and lower energy consumption.
Ease & speed of integration and control – Modbus control enables remote configuration and operation, supporting Remote Operator Centre use, ship-wide control applications and custom control software integration.
High reliability, with STR SeaTow track record applicability – Mechanical components designed with a large safety factor, redundant control circuits, thorough testing and proven STR SeaTow design heritage support dependable performance offshore.
Most robust tow cable available – The hybrid electro-optical tow cable is strengthened specifically for ROTV operations and optimised for optical data transmission, with a cable specification unique to STR.
Built for harsh offshore environments – Electrical operation removes hydraulic fluids which can leak or require oil changes, while robust mechanical safety factors, redundant control circuits, corrosion protection, and ISO 12944-5/A5M paint coatings support dependable offshore performance.

BENEFITS

REDUCED OPERATING COSTS

LOWER MAINTENANCE BURDEN

BUILT FOR HARSH ENVIRONMENTS

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“Offshore survey demands are evolving fast, with higher data requirements and leaner operational models. OpTow was engineered as a complete, standardised winch-and-cable package for ROTV operations, enabling high bandwidth optical communications alongside remote operation and control.   

With robust design margins and corrosion protection, it’s built for dependable performance in harsh marine environments, supported by STR’s 24/7/365 support network.

Raymond Forsyth

Group Technical Director

CONTACT

Get in touch with STR

If you’d like to discuss your subsea project with us, or have a question for our team, please complete this form and we will respond as soon as possible.

picture of STR TitanMux fibre optic multiplexer

DESIGNED BY YOU, FOR YOU

The STR TitanMux is a fibre optic multiplexer for ROVs that’s been engineered for reliable performance across demanding offshore environments, the standard titanium housing is capable of operations at 6000 m and supports long duration deployment without risk of corrosion. It benefits from robust metal shell connectors with fully open face pressure rating.

The system has been designed for seamless integration into existing ROV systems with an intuitive 12” touch screen LCD (liquid crystal display) display with the ability to be controlled via our integrated web Graphical User Interface (GUI).

Key Features

High bandwidth fibre-optic communications
Very high density functionality
Advanced power management technology
High efficiency power supply technology
Fully configurable eFuses and power reporting
Ground fault detection
Galvanic isolation

INS – Inertial Navigation System
DVL – Doppler Velocity Logger
SVS – Sound Velocity Sensor
IPS – Intelligent Pressure Sensor

FLS – Forward Looking Sonar
MBS – Multibeam Echo Sounder
Pipe + Cable Tracking – TSS440 + TSS350

Key Benefits

Ultra-compact footprint: Facilitating uncompromised installation of larger packages of survey sensor installations, on smaller ROVs than possible with competitor products.
High count 1000 / 100 / 10 Mbps Ethernet, Serial RS232 & RS485 connectivity: Ease of integration & networking with virtually all survey sensors, simultaneously supporting higher numbers of sensors than previously possible, and ensuring future-proof expandability.
Increased survey sensor payload: Maximising operational survey time by reducing the time required to install different sensors or perform multiple inspections.
Advanced internal diagnostics versatile and user friendly: Diagnostic functions ensure reliable operation and provide advanced warnings to ensure safe & reliable sensor operation, minimising down time for trouble shooting. Intuitive & advanced user interface ensures smooth & simple operation, offering significant reductions in mobilisation timescales.
Design tested with industry standard Survey Sensors: Tried and tested as an integral part of large underwater sensor packages, STR TitanMux provides high levels of confidence that systems operate correctly and reliability to ensure that surveys and inspections are concluded without interruption or compromise.
Standardised connectors and pinouts with open face pressure to full ocean depth: The connector system in use offers un-paralleled levels of robustness and reliability, ensuring the survival of the mux in the event of a failed or disconnected cable. STR have standardised the pinout of the sensor connections to ensure all cables are interchangeable, minimising cable variants, minimising cost of stock-holding and improving connectivity. Each sensor connector offers simultaneous operation of all power and data types without compromise.

BENEFITS

COST-EFFECTIVE

DURABLE AND USER-FRIENDLY

HIGHLY FUNCTIONAL

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“We work with organisations around the world to aid in the exploration and discover of one of our last unknowns – our great oceans.   

As the ‘blue economy’ evolves, so does our ambition to lead the way in developing sustainable, responsible and reliable solutions to ensure critical marine data and intelligence is captured accurately and efficiently.”

Raymond Forsyth

Group Technical Director

CONTACT

Get in touch with STR

If you’d like to discuss your subsea project with us, or have a question for our team, please complete this form and we will respond as soon as possible.

The Powered Cable Reel is a compact winch specifically designed to provide an economical deployment solution for towed systems and oceanographic sensors on small vessels.

Key Features

Stainless steel construction
Robust and lightweight design
High duty 24VDC motor
Maintenance free slip ring
300m cable capacity
Single speed and variable speed option

The STR Pipe Tracker ROV Deployment Frame is a hydraulically controlled retractable frame assembly designed for the mounting of the coil arrays to the front of an ROV.

Key Features

Depth rated to 3000m
Robust and lightweight design
Fully adjustable to suit different ROV sizes
Fully retractable for safe ROV deployment and recovery
All parts non-magnetic
Easy disassembly allows small shipping package

The STR MiniPort DTS has been engineered to provide a robust and efficient power and communications network over long lengths of subsea cabling, such as armoured coaxial tow cables used for sidescan sonars and ROV umbilical’s.

The MiniPort DTS is ideal for extending the range and depth capabilities of equipment and sensors which ordinarily use RS232 communication and 24V DC.

The system is capable of delivering up to 300W @ 24VDC along with 4 independent RS232 channels and TTL trigger for USBL positioning systems. All communication is performed using advanced techniques to provide extremely low latency and maximum robustness. An extensive range of safety features have also been included in the design in order to reduce the risk of high voltage exposure which can be present on other subsea telemetry systems. The MiniPort DTS Subsea Unit has been specifically designed for maximum power efficiency and compact format to meet the demanding size and power restraints of many applications.

Key Features

4 x low latency RS232 ports
4x 24V DC outputs
Ultra low latency TTL trigger port
Cable fault monitoring
2000m depth rating
3000m coax operation
Easy to install & operate
Compact aluminium subsea housing

STR offer an extensive range of field proven electric winch systems for marine applications.

The ESW-500 is a compact electric winch designed for the installation of 500m of 1/4” cable. This model will also accommodate a wide range of electro-optic and umbilical cables. Typical applications for this winch are sidescan sonar, combined sidescan sonar and sub-bottom profiler systems, marine magnetometers, gradiometers and oceanographic sensors.

Key Features

Compact footprint
Prepared for a range of electro slip rings
Remote and local pendant control
Variable speed drive
Precise direct drive diamond bar level wind
Low maintenance

STR offer an extensive range of field proven electric winch systems for marine applications.

The ESW-4000 is a high capacity electric winch intended for deep water operations. The winch is designed for installation of 4000m of 11.4mm armoured coaxial cable and will also accommodate a wide range of electro-optic and umbilical cables.

Typical applications for this model are sidescan sonar, combined sidescan sonar and sub-bottom profiler systems, marine magnetometers, gradiometers, drop camera systems, oceanographic sensors and ROV systems.

Key Features

Fully certified design
Prepared for a range of electro/optical slip rings
Remote and local pendant control
Variable speed drive option
Precise direct drive diamond bar level wind
Low maintenance

Built for modern ROTV survey operations