SEAMOR Chinook — Modular 300 / 600 m Industrial Inspection ROV
Industrial Workhorse
SEAMOR's industrial-grade workhorse — a compact frame with a configurable 2-to-6 thruster layout, dual 300 m / 600 m depth options and the broadest accessory range in the fleet. One platform that re-rigs to fit the mission in front of it.
One medium-class platform, configured to the job
The Chinook balances a compact, hatch-friendly footprint with genuine industrial capability. Choose 300 m or 600 m depth rating, run anywhere from 2 to 6 thrusters, and add the sensor and tooling payloads the mission needs — from a streamlined inspection vehicle to a 6-thruster, arm-equipped work ROV, all on the same frame.
- Dual depth options — 300 m (1,000 ft) or 600 m (2,000 ft)
- Configurable 2–6 thruster layout for the mission and the current
- Compact 686 × 384 × 406 mm frame fits hatches and tight spaces
- Two-person, tether-launch deployment — no crane required
- Broadcast-quality colour zoom camera with full sensor overlay
- Broadest SEAMOR accessory ecosystem — arm, sonar, USBL and more
Why operators reach for the Chinook
Mixed inspection fleets are expensive and slow to switch between. The Chinook was built so one vehicle can cover the range most operations actually need.
🧰 One Vehicle, Many Jobs
Owning a separate ROV per task ties up capital. A configurable 2–6 thruster frame covers light inspection through to arm work.
🌊 Depth & Current
Jobs run from sheltered harbours to 600 m offshore. Dual depth ratings and added thrusters keep the Chinook capable across both.
🤿 Tight Access
Hatches, intakes and confined structures defeat larger vehicles. A 686 mm frame gets in where the work is.
👷 Diver-Free Intervention
Manipulation and recovery in risky water needn't put divers in. The Chinook carries the gripper or 7-function arm instead.
From 2 to 6 Thrusters — Your Mission, Your Layout.
The Chinook's configurable thruster layout adapts to the mission — from a streamlined 2-thruster inspection build to a 6-thruster layout for demanding manoeuvring in strong current and complex environments.
Scale the thrust to the conditions
Start with two vertical and two horizontal thrusters for lightweight inspection, then expand to a six-thruster configuration for enhanced stability and manoeuvring in current-prone water. Each channel carries built-in short-circuit protection, and auto depth and heading hold keep the vehicle planted for systematic survey work.
- Per-channel short-circuit protection isolates faults automatically
- Auto depth and heading hold for systematic survey passes
- Two-person, tether-launch deployment from any vessel
2–6 Thrusters
Streamlined for inspection or expanded for stability and manoeuvring in current.
Auto Depth & Heading
Onboard sensors hold depth and heading so the pilot focuses on the inspection.
Compact Frame
At 686 × 384 × 406 mm it fits through hatches and into restricted spaces.
Two-Person Deploy
Tether-launchable with two people — compact storage suits workboats of any size.
Re-Rig for Inspection, Intervention or Search
The same Chinook frame carries a 7-function manipulator for intervention or an imaging sonar for zero-visibility search — swapping roles between deployments.
Manipulation work without a diver
Fitted with a 7-function hydraulic arm, the Chinook turns valves, operates switches, collects samples and assists light construction — keeping the crew topside while it does the hands-on work in current, depth or contaminated water. A dual-function gripper handles lighter recovery and cutting tasks.
- 7-function hydraulic arm for valve, sampling & construction tasks
- Dual-function gripper — 360° rotation, 90 mm jaw, optional cutter
- Skid-mounted interchangeable tools and rotating brush options
See in zero-visibility water
Add an imaging or scanning sonar and USBL positioning and the Chinook becomes a search-and-survey platform that works where the camera can't — silty harbours, turbid rivers and deep low-light water. Sonar and acoustic navigation integrate with the same control console used for piloting.
- Imaging / scanning sonar integration (multiple brands supported)
- USBL acoustic positioning for real-time tracking
- Optional altimeter with automatic altitude control
Zoom Camera. DVR. Full Sensor Overlay.
The Chinook delivers broadcast-quality colour imagery with 3× optical zoom, dual 1,500-lumen LEDs and a full sensor overlay on every recording.
3× Optical / 32× Zoom
High-resolution colour zoom camera with NTSC/PAL output — close-up inspection without repositioning to detect cracks, corrosion and defects.
Manual & Auto Focus
Switch focus on the fly. Overlay records depth, heading, pitch/roll and timestamp on every frame for audit-ready documentation.
Dual 1,500-Lumen LEDs
3,000 lumens total from two independent dimmable LEDs. Stepless brightness optimises exposure from shallow harbours to 600 m depth.
Integrated DVR & Console
Onboard DVR and Pelican-case console with 15" LCD monitor included. Optional auxiliary cameras and lights expand coverage.
Optional Parallel Lasers
Green laser scale on a 150 mm baseline gives accurate size measurement directly from the video footage.
Leak & Temperature
Built-in leak detection with audible alarm and temperature monitoring protect the vehicle and warn of integrity issues.
Configure the Chinook for Any Mission
The Chinook supports the full SEAMOR accessory ecosystem — from intervention tooling to sonar and navigation systems — making it a highly adaptable platform for complex operations.
Dual Function Gripper
360° continuous wrist rotation, 90 mm jaw opening. Optional cutter severs fishing line, netting and small rope. Anodized 6061-T6 aluminium, 300 m rated, mounts to any 19 mm bar.
Handheld Control Pendant
Ergonomic Logitech F310-based pendant for intuitive handheld operation. Plug & Play, seamless switching with the console. 7–36 VDC wide input, RS-232.
Auxiliary Camera
Repositionable 40 mm colour or B&W camera with 92° FOV and 160 lm LEDs. 600 m rated, <0.01 lux sensitivity. A second viewing angle for full spatial awareness.
Auxiliary Light
1,000-lumen cool-white unit (5,500 K, 125° beam). 600 m rated, 24–48 VDC. Eliminates camera shadows and supplements primary lighting for complex geometry.
Sea Otter Reel
Aluminium and stainless tether reels — Sea Otter 50 or 100. Removable waterproof hub, open or Pelican-case options. Keeps tether organised and protected.
Thruster Upgrades — Sturgeon Series
Add horizontal or vertical thrusters from the Sturgeon series for the 6-thruster build. Swiss Maxon motors, BAL Seal technology, 6061-T6 aluminium housings.
Where the Chinook Excels
A genuine medium-class all-rounder — the Chinook reconfigures across inspection, intervention, survey and search work on water from harbours to 600 m offshore.
Hull & Ship Inspection
Class and condition surveys of hulls, keels and running gear with HD imaging and overlay documentation.
Offshore Structure Inspection
Platform, jacket and subsea-asset survey to 600 m, with added thrusters for station-holding in current.
Pipeline & Cable Inspection
USBL-tracked survey lines for following and inspecting subsea pipelines and cables.
Search & Recovery
Sonar-equipped search in zero-visibility water, with gripper or arm for recovery — proven in police and SAR use.
Dam, Hydro & Intake Survey
Intake, trash-rack and reservoir inspection in confined infrastructure without dewatering.
Aquaculture & Research
Net-pen, mooring and environmental survey with a stable, repeatable observation platform.
Chinook — Full Specs
General ▾
| Max depth | 300 m (1,000 ft) or 600 m (2,000 ft) |
| Weight in air | ~33 kg (72 lbs) — 6-thruster vehicle, fresh-water trim |
| Dimensions (L×W×H) | 686 × 384 × 406 mm (27" × 15.1" × 16") |
| Diagonal | 533 mm (21") |
| Construction | Anodized aluminium, stainless steel, syntactic foam, marine-grade polymers |
Propulsion ▾
| Thruster count | 2–6 configurable (2 vertical + 2–4 horizontal) |
| Max speed | 2 knots (configuration dependent) |
| Protection | Built-in short-circuit protection per channel |
| Auto functions | Auto depth hold, auto heading hold |
| Deployment | Tether-launchable — two-person operation |
Camera & Lighting ▾
| Type | High-resolution colour zoom (NTSC / PAL) |
| Zoom | 3× optical / up to 32× total |
| Tilt | ±90° |
| Focus | Manual and automatic |
| Lights | 2 × 1,500 lm (3,000 lm) dimmable LED |
| Lasers | Optional parallel green lasers, 150 mm baseline |
| Overlay | Depth, heading, pitch/roll, tether turns, timestamp |
| Recording | Digital video recorder included |
Tether & Communication ▾
| Standard tether | 335 m |
| Twisted pair (max) | 500 m |
| Fiber optic (max) | 625 m (manual reel) |
| Diameter | 10 mm (0.4") |
| Breaking strength | 700 kgf, Kevlar reinforced |
| Buoyancy | Neutrally buoyant in fresh water |
Sensors & Safety ▾
| Depth/pressure sensor | Yes |
| Compass | Yes |
| Pitch & roll sensors | Yes |
| Leak detection | Yes — audible alarm (electronics & camera canisters) |
| Temperature monitoring | Yes |
| Altimeter option | Yes — auto-altitude control available |
Configurable Payloads ▾
| Manipulation | Dual-function gripper, 7-function hydraulic arm |
| Sonar | Imaging / scanning sonar integration (multiple brands) |
| Positioning | USBL acoustic navigation integration |
| Tooling | Skid-mounted interchangeable tools, rotating brush |
| Imaging | Auxiliary cameras & lights, HD video, parallel lasers |
Chinook vs. the SEAMOR Range
See how the Chinook sits within the full SEAMOR platform family.
| Specification | Steelhead | Chinook | Mako | ORCA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max depth | 300m | 300 / 600m | 300 / 600m | 300 / 600 / 1,000m |
| Weight | 21 kg | 33 kg | 72 kg | 60 kg |
| Max speed | 1.75 knots | 2 knots | 2 knots | 3 knots |
| Thrusters | 4 | 2–6 configurable | 8 | 8 (vectored) |
| Payload | — | — | 14–22.5 kg | Up to 20 kg |
| Tether (standard) | 165–335m | 335–625m | 335–625m | TBC |
| Best for | Lightweight inspection | Versatile workhorse | Heavy tooling & sonar | Utility / all-mission |
Request a Chinook Quote
Tell us about your inspection requirements and we will prepare a tailored quote within one business day. As your authorised SEAMOR distributor for the Nordic and European region, SepcoTech provides local sales, technical support and after-sales service.
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