ROV
Repairs
&
Refurbishment

Silvercrest Submarines provides expert repair, rewind, and refurbishment services for ROV motors and propulsion systems across all makes and models. Working in partnership with Submersible Motor Engineering (SME) — our specialist manufacturing partner operating from an ISO 9001-certified facility in Perth, Australia — we deliver warranty-backed engineering solutions that restore operational performance, extend service life, and minimise downtime for commercial operators worldwide.

ROV motor failure and propulsion system degradation carry significant commercial consequences. Our repair and refurbishment programmes are structured to address faults methodically, with formal testing, full documentation, and transparent scoping at every stage. From straightforward motor rewinds through to complete platform refurbishment and integrated propulsion system upgrades, Silvercrest Submarines provides a single point of contact for the full scope of ROV engineering support.

ROV Motor Repairs and Rewinds

Silvercrest Submarines repairs and rewinds all major brands of ROV and submersible motors, including Hitachi, Pleuger, Grundfos, Mercury, Byron Jackson, Hayward Tyler, and Franklin. Our capability covers both oil-filled and water-filled motor types across all operating voltages from 200V to 6.6kV, and our repair service is available to operators regardless of whether the original motor manufacturer continues to support the product.

Motor rewinds are completed to original specification or upgraded to current materials standards where improved performance or longevity can be achieved. Where SME's engineering team identifies the opportunity to apply more technically advanced materials during the refurbishment process, motors can frequently be returned in better-than-new condition. All motor rewinds and repairs carry a 12-month warranty from date of completion.

SME's purpose-built 1,200 sq ft workshop is equipped for the full range of motor repair activities, including:

    Rewinds for all voltages (200V to 6.6kV)
    Repairs to oil-filled and water-filled motors of all makes
    High-voltage testing to 10,000 volts
    Full load and dynamometer testing to 250kW
    High-POT and surge testing
    Non-destructive testing
    Dynamic balancing to 250kg
    Welding and machining
    On-site or factory-based cable splicing
    Retro-fitting of condition monitoring equipment
    Modification of existing motors for upgrade to higher specifications
Technical assistance during commissioning following repair is available, ensuring that repaired motors are correctly integrated and validated before returning to service. Serious operators are invited to submit motor specifications and fault descriptions to our technical team for assessment.
Drawing of An Eco Sub At A Coral Reef
Drawing of An Eco Sub At A Coral Reef
Drawing of An Eco Sub At A Coral Reef

Direct Replacement ROV Motors

Where rapid like-for-like motor replacement is the priority, Silvercrest Submarines maintains a standard range of direct replacement motors designed to fit many of the more widely deployed ROV systems currently in service. This range provides operators with a straightforward path to restoring operational capability without the lead times associated with bespoke manufacture.

Our standard ROV replacement motor range includes:

    Sunn Star replacement — 75HP, 100HP, and 125HP
    Fowler replacement — 75HP and 100HP
    Hydrovision Curvetech replacement — 100HP and 150HP

All replacement motors operate at 2,300V to 3,600V, are supplied in 316 stainless steel housings, and carry a 12-month warranty. Matched High Voltage Transformer Units (HVTUs) and electronic soft-start controls are available on request for each motor in the standard range.

Where standard replacements do not meet the specific technical requirements of a platform, Silvercrest Submarines designs and manufactures bespoke replacement motors to order. Our bespoke motor capability covers output ratings from 1kW to 300kW, voltages from 400V to 4,160V at 50Hz or 60Hz, pole configurations from 2-pole to 8-pole, and depth ratings to 10,000 metres. Motor housings are available in 316 stainless steel, duplex, super duplex, or hard-anodised marine-grade aluminium to suit operating environments and corrosion requirements. Qualified buyers may enquire for specifications, availability, and indicative lead times.

Drawing of An Eco Sub At A Coral Reef
Drawing of An Eco Sub At A Coral Reef
Drawing of An Eco Sub At A Coral Reef

Propulsion System Upgrades

Many ROV platforms in active service continue to operate motor drive systems that are approaching or have exceeded their reliable working life. Drive controller capacitors — a critical component of inverter-based propulsion systems — deteriorate with age regardless of operating hours. Systems more than five years old may already be susceptible to reliability concerns, and ageing drives are frequently the root cause of ROV propulsion failures in the field.

Silvercrest Submarines provides integrated propulsion system assessment and upgrade services for ROV platforms requiring drive system modernisation. Rather than replacing individual failed components, we design and supply the motor, inverter controller, and compensation system as a matched solution, specified to suit the available bus voltage and power requirements of each specific platform. This integrated approach eliminates the compatibility issues that frequently arise from piecemeal component replacement and delivers a propulsion system with a defined, predictable service life.

All Silvercrest Submarines propulsion motors are rated to at least 150% of required working capacity, ensuring that no single component operates at its design limit during normal use. Specific motor functions and operational profiles — including emergency power modes and variable output configurations — can be programmed into the drive controller to suit operational requirements. Military-specification versions of our motor systems are available on request.

Drawing of An Eco Sub At A Coral Reef
Drawing of An Eco Sub At A Coral Reef
Drawing of An Eco Sub At A Coral Reef

Complete ROV Refurbishment

For ROV platforms requiring comprehensive restoration, Silvercrest Submarines provides structured refurbishment programmes that address all aspects of the system from propulsion through to electronics, sensors, and support equipment. A formal condition assessment establishes the scope of work, with clear deliverables and timelines agreed before work commences.

Refurbishment programmes can encompass:

    Propulsion system overhaul and thruster replacement
    Ballast and buoyancy system inspection and refurbishment
    Electronics and control system upgrades
    Umbilical and subsea connector refurbishment
    Camera and lighting system replacement
    Hydraulic circuit inspection and servicing (work-class ROVs)
    Structural inspection and remediation
    Navigation and communication systems modernisation
Where a refurbishment programme presents the opportunity to incorporate meaningful capability improvements — updated battery management systems, enhanced imaging suites, improved sonar integration — Silvercrest Submarines can scope and deliver these upgrades as part of the overall programme. The outcome is a platform that not only returns to operational condition but may exceed its original specification in key areas.
Drawing of An Eco Sub At A Coral Reef
Drawing of An Eco Sub At A Coral Reef
Drawing of An Eco Sub At A Coral Reef

Engineering Standards and Testing

All repair and refurbishment work is conducted under SME's ISO 9001-certified quality management system, with complete testing documentation provided on completion. SME's Perth facility offers comprehensive in-house testing capability, including water pressure testing with full international certification, high-voltage proof testing, full load dynamometer testing, high-POT and surge testing, and non-destructive examination. An overhead crane rated to 10 tonnes supports the handling of larger motor assemblies.

Independent string testing — involving drives, control gear, motors, and driven equipment operating together under load — can be arranged where full system validation is required prior to offshore deployment. This level of pre-deployment assurance is particularly valuable for operators commissioning refurbished systems into critical offshore or research applications.

Drawing of An Eco Sub At A Coral Reef
Drawing of An Eco Sub At A Coral Reef
Drawing of An Eco Sub At A Coral Reef

Why Choose Silvercrest Submarines for ROV Repairs

Silvercrest Submarines approaches ROV repairs and refurbishment from the perspective of experienced operators, not simply equipment engineers. Decades of operational experience — including extended submarine operations at Loch Ness and subsea filming programmes for the BBC — means our team understands the practical and commercial consequences of system failures in the field. This operational perspective informs every aspect of our repair and refurbishment service: rigorous fault assessment, clearly scoped work programmes, minimum-downtime delivery, and warranty assurance that reflects genuine confidence in the quality of our work.

Our engineering partnership with SME — a specialist submersible motor manufacturer and service provider with over 2,000 motors delivered and operating worldwide — extends the depth of technical expertise available to clients across all repair requirements, from routine rewinds to the most complex bespoke motor design challenges. Operators working with Silvercrest Submarines receive a complete, end-to-end engineering solution backed by decades of subsea operational credibility.

Qualified operators and commercial ROV owners are invited to contact our technical team to discuss repair requirements, request condition assessments, or enquire about replacement motor specifications and availability.

Drawing of An Eco Sub At A Coral Reef
Drawing of An Eco Sub At A Coral Reef
Drawing of An Eco Sub At A Coral Reef

Frequently Asked Questions About ROV Repairs