Greenroom Robotics has proudly facilitated a major international refit of the DSV Limiting Factor, a remarkable two-person submersible that explores the deepest parts of the world’s oceans.
The DSV Limiting Factor is owned and operated by Caladan Oceanic, who have been conducting deep sea operations and exploration around the world since 2018. This was the first major international refit for the Limiting Factor, and the first refit of its kind in Australia.
Greenroom was selected to be the trusted importer of record by Caladan Oceanic and worked closely in-hand with the Caladan team to provide project management, engineering services, big data management, and logistics support for the refit. The refit culminated in a “Dock Dip” where the Limiting Factor was submerged to validate readiness for the next expeditions to the Hadal Zone (>6000m below the surface).
There are unique engineering challenges for systems capable of repeat visits to full ocean depth. In many ways, this is a more difficult operating environment than space. Many of these lessons were able to be imparted to students from the University of Western Australia through a once-in-a-lifetime work-experience opportunity.
The project would not have been possible without the support of a network of Australian maritime technology companies. We extend special thanks to the entire team at Marine Tech Systems (MTS) for their welcoming and collaborative approach while the refit was conducted at their facilities in Bibra Lake, WA. Where possible, engineering services, components and logistics were supplied by local Australian businesses. Tim Macdonald, Sub Team Leader for Caladan Oceanic, and deepest diving Australian in history, expressed his gratitude for Greenroom’s support: “The professionalism and capability of Greenroom Robotics ensured the refit was smooth and successful. Working with the Limiting Factor is a significant undertaking, but the Greenroom team provided world-class services and handled the challenges with ease”.
The Limiting Factor is about to depart for its next expedition in the Coral Sea. You can follow their expeditions here https://caladanoceanic.com/.
Greenroom will be providing ongoing software and engineering support for Limiting Factor’s upcoming expeditions, with more details to come.
