[PSUBS-MAILIST] Re:Space Shuttle

[Phil Nuytten <72020.572@compuserve.com>]

Hi, Ken:
        Yes, they are designed to float vertically - about 150 feet long,
tho', with only a few feet out of the water. They have been using SCUBA
divers to insert an inflatable cuff and pump-out tower but the short bottom
time and the danger of working on this giant cylinder moving up and down
out of synch with the swell makes the use of a sub look very attractive . .
has to be untethered so ROV's are out - also has to be very responsive so
only very small, very powerful unit will do . ..the plug/pump-out/inflation
device is quite large, also, and requires a couple of divers to handle-  we
did a handling demo last year with no problem. The boosters also sink
occasionally - and the water depths are such that they have had to go to a
full work ROV for recovery. With Deepworker there, they have a combination
72 hour bottom time Scuba diver/ 2000 foot manned ROV!
Regards
Phil Nuytten