Since its inception in 1980, environmental services company Clean Harbors has grown to become the leading environmental services provider and largest waste disposal company in North America.  In addition to waste disposal, services include emergency response and industrial maintenance.  As the company’s business expanded they realized an underwater camera would be a very useful tool to assist in their response and maintenance operations.  Director of Marine Operations Scott Metzger was tasked with determining which of the many camera systems available would be best for their varied applications.  After extensive research Mr. Metzger selected JW Fishers SeaOtter ROV as the best tool to fit their needs and budget.  The SeaOtter is a commercial-grade ROV equipped with a powerful four motor propulsion system, a high resolution color camera, and four 100 watt lights. 

After purchasing the SeaOtter, Mr. Metzger travelled from Clean Harbors corporate headquarters in Norwell, Massachusetts to Fishers factory in East Taunton for some basic training  in ROV operation.  With a couple hours of instruction and a little pool time, he was ready to fly solo.  Before performing their first open water inspection, Clean Harbors decided to take the ROV to the Mass Maritime Academy in Buzzards Bay and demonstrate the ROV’s capabilities for the media and public officials.   The exercise was designed to highlight new services the company would be offering targeted at port security.  One of the primary reasons the maritime academy was selected was because of the a long standing relationship between the company and the school.  For years Clean Harbors has been providing internships and employment opportunities for their students.  During the demonstration two cadet interns piloted the SeaOtter as part of their co-op program.  In an interview Metzger said the advantages of having an ROV is not having to risk the life of a diver in dangerous situations and being able to instantaneously record  images.  He added that it’s also good for extended underwater operations.  The ROV can stay underwater all day and all night with no concern about running out of air or decompression issues.

As a result of the demonstration, Clean Harbors has already lined up several high profile projects to showcase the company’s and the ROV’s capabilities.  They will be performing hull inspections on the battleship Massachusetts in Fall River and the Mayflower in Plymouth.  Both vessels are major tourist attractions for the state.  Members of the Mass State Police and other law enforcement officials will observe an inspection at the nuclear power plant in Plymouth.  The company will demonstrate how  ROVs can provide an added level of security for high risk targets of terrorist attacks.  At the Mystic Power Station in Boston the ROV will “swim” into intake and discharge pipes to examine the condition of the internal walls and check screens that block debris from entering the plant, an operation extremely dangerous for divers to perform.

For more information on Fishers complete line of underwater camera systems go to www.jwfishers.com.  For more information on Clean Harbors go to www.cleanharbors.com.