Breaking the Limits of Extreme Cold: QYSEA FIFISH ROV Transforms Under-Ice Search and Rescue in Alaska

Alaska · February 2024

Background & Challenges: Conquering the Unknown Beneath the Ice

Under-ice rescue operations in Alaska take place in some of the harshest environments on the planet. Thick ice layers, freezing temperatures, and near-zero visibility make underwater searches extremely difficult. Divers not only face severe frostbite risks but also struggle with challenging navigation and extremely poor visibility beneath the ice. The Alaska Dive Search & Recovery Team urgently needed a reliable, stable solution capable of operating efficiently in these extreme conditions—one that could enhance search effectiveness while ensuring the safety of rescue personnel.

A New Tool for Polar Environments: FIFISH W6 & FIFISH E-GO

To overcome these challenges, the rescue team deployed QYSEA’s FIFISH W6 and FIFISH E-GO ROVs, revolutionizing under-ice search and rescue. These ROVs are equipped with specialized features designed for extreme conditions:

· High-Precision Under-Ice Navigation: The FIFISH W6 utilizes an advanced Q-DVL system, maintaining precise positioning even in strong currents and beneath thick ice layers, ensuring effective underwater target localization.

· High-Definition Imaging & Powerful Illumination: The FIFISH E-GO is equipped with a 4K ultra-wide-angle camera and high-intensity LED lighting, providing clear real-time visuals even in frigid, murky waters, significantly improving target identification accuracy.

· Stable Performance in Extreme Cold: Engineered for low-temperature environments, the ROVs feature high-reliability batteries and components, ensuring efficient operation even in subzero conditions.

With the support of QYSEA’s FIFISH ROVs, the rescue team significantly reduced the time required for underwater search operations while minimizing personnel exposure to hazardous conditions. During a joint exercise with the Alaska Solstice Search Dogs team, the FIFISH W6 rapidly and accurately located a simulated distressed diver beneath the ice, while the compact FIFISH E-GO conducted detailed searches in confined areas. The overall efficiency of the operation improved by over 50%, while eliminating the need for direct human entry into the dangerous under-ice environment.

The team also trained new members on ice operations, including ROV handling, demonstrating how these devices enhance their overall capabilities.

Redefining the Standard for Safer, More Efficient Under-Ice Rescue

The success of this Alaska dive rescue operation demonstrated the efficiency and reliability of QYSEA FIFISH ROVs in extreme conditions, setting a new benchmark for under-ice search and rescue. As demand for extreme environment rescue solutions continues to grow, QYSEA’s underwater robotics will continue pushing the limits of intelligent search and rescue, ensuring enhanced safety and efficiency in life-saving operations.