The Underwater Engineering Research Institute of Shanghai Jiao Tong University which has once undertaken many major underwater projects recently has news of success again. On October 23, 2009, the “Sea Dragon” ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) successfully dived into 2770-meter depth of mid-ocean ridge in the eastern Equatorial Pacific Ocean, found the hydrothermal vent and completed the task of filming and sampling.

The work of “Sea Dragon” is the sampling work done at the deepest exact fixed-point in Chinacurrently and has a great significance for the development of domestic marine science investigation. Meanwhile, the video and photographs it has taken are the clearest deep-sea hydrothermal fountain image so far in China.

“Sea Dragon” is developed by the Underwater Engineering Research Institute of Shanghai Jiao Tong University and is the ROV for ocean scientific expedition service with the maximum diving depth of 3500 meters. “Sea Dragon” is equipped with underwater lights and high-definition underwater video camera for sea-floor shooting. And it is also equipped with one seven-function manipulator and one five-function manipulator for sea-floor sampling.

The working area of “Sea Dragon” is located in mid-ocean ridge in the eastern Equatorial Pacific Ocean. The preferred working area (hydrothermal vent) is located on the inner and outer slope of the crater. The water depth of the highest point of the crater top is about 2500 meters, and the water depth of the lowest point is about 2770 meters.

“Sea Dragon” is launched at the designated location, dives to 2770 meters, and successfully finds the hydrothermal chimney, and carries out the bottom-up, wrap-around and all-round observation on the chimney. The sonar and altimeter data on the ROV can estimate the diameter and height of the chimney, and use five-function manipulator to successfully capture the chimney sample. The underwater work lasts about 70 minutes. The whole course is recorded by video to access the valuable video materials. The success of the “Sea Dragon” work is largely attributed to the solid expertise and tacit coordination of the group members of ROV work.