Mini Benthic OBservation camera Sled, or “Mini BOB Sled,” is and underwater video tow fish that can operate to depths of 75 meters.
![Cameras and cables are attached to a long steel frame with a propeller at the end.](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/side_image/public/thumbnails/image/MiniBOBSled75m.jpg?itok=wwi0FM2z)
The “Mini BOB Sled” is a hand-deployable high definition video camera tow fish. It has 300 Watts of LED lighting, and parallel lasers to estimate the scale of features observed in video imagery. It is capable of operating in water depths up 75 meters. It requires 120 volt AC power and a dry space on the vessel for a small monitor and recording equipment.
Specifications
- Manufacturer - USGS: Designed and built at the USGS PCMSC Marine Facility (MarFac)
- Model -Mini BOBSled V1.1
- Weight – approximately 10 kg in air
- Dimensions – W 0.3 m, L 1.25 m, H 0.3 m
- Power Requirements 120 VAC, total system consumption ~320 watts max.
Operational Characteristics
![A video camera inside a cylindrical housing with a rounded lens is mounted onto a steel bracket on white plastic tubing.](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/side_image/public/thumbnails/image/BOBSledCamera1.jpg?itok=yLdtTyrw)
- Minimum Operational Depth - limited by near focus to water depths deeper than 1 meter
- Maximum Operational Depth - limited by tether length to 75 meters
- Limitations - maximum tow speed of approximately 1.5 - 3 knots, sea state 1.5 meters or less, water clarity limits acceptable areas of operation
- Power Outputs / Freq. Ranges – N/A, It is a passive camera system
- Ship’s Requirements – Towing capability A-frame or davit, low speed maneuverability, protected space for monitor, control and recording equipment.
![A video camera inside a cylindrical housing with a rounded lens next to another cylinder for power supply.](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/side_image/public/thumbnails/image/BOBSledCamera2.jpg?itok=1zW-c28L)
Additional Equipment Required
A support vessel with protected lab space.
Complementary Systems
Bathyswath Seafloor Mapping System, BOB Sled instrumented camera system
![A smiling man sits on the back of a boat holding a rope that is secured to an instrument that's being lowered into the water.](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/side_image/public/thumbnails/image/MiniBOBsled2.png?itok=mmzXfdkG)
Learn more about MarFac, the USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center Marine Facility.
PCMSC MarFac Field Equipment and Capabilities
PCMSC Marine Facility (MarFac)
Mini BOB Sled
Mini Benthic OBservation camera Sled, or “Mini BOB Sled,” is and underwater video tow fish that can operate to depths of 75 meters.
![Cameras and cables are attached to a long steel frame with a propeller at the end.](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/side_image/public/thumbnails/image/MiniBOBSled75m.jpg?itok=wwi0FM2z)
The “Mini BOB Sled” is a hand-deployable high definition video camera tow fish. It has 300 Watts of LED lighting, and parallel lasers to estimate the scale of features observed in video imagery. It is capable of operating in water depths up 75 meters. It requires 120 volt AC power and a dry space on the vessel for a small monitor and recording equipment.
Specifications
- Manufacturer - USGS: Designed and built at the USGS PCMSC Marine Facility (MarFac)
- Model -Mini BOBSled V1.1
- Weight – approximately 10 kg in air
- Dimensions – W 0.3 m, L 1.25 m, H 0.3 m
- Power Requirements 120 VAC, total system consumption ~320 watts max.
Operational Characteristics
![A video camera inside a cylindrical housing with a rounded lens is mounted onto a steel bracket on white plastic tubing.](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/side_image/public/thumbnails/image/BOBSledCamera1.jpg?itok=yLdtTyrw)
- Minimum Operational Depth - limited by near focus to water depths deeper than 1 meter
- Maximum Operational Depth - limited by tether length to 75 meters
- Limitations - maximum tow speed of approximately 1.5 - 3 knots, sea state 1.5 meters or less, water clarity limits acceptable areas of operation
- Power Outputs / Freq. Ranges – N/A, It is a passive camera system
- Ship’s Requirements – Towing capability A-frame or davit, low speed maneuverability, protected space for monitor, control and recording equipment.
![A video camera inside a cylindrical housing with a rounded lens next to another cylinder for power supply.](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/side_image/public/thumbnails/image/BOBSledCamera2.jpg?itok=1zW-c28L)
Additional Equipment Required
A support vessel with protected lab space.
Complementary Systems
Bathyswath Seafloor Mapping System, BOB Sled instrumented camera system
![A smiling man sits on the back of a boat holding a rope that is secured to an instrument that's being lowered into the water.](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/side_image/public/thumbnails/image/MiniBOBsled2.png?itok=mmzXfdkG)
Learn more about MarFac, the USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center Marine Facility.