Pollux
II
Inspection
ROV

Key ROV Specifications

Condition:

good

ROV Class:

Inspection Class

Complete System:

Yes

Maximum Depth:

400m

Length:

0.88m

Width:

0.64m

Height:

0.53m

Weight In Air:

83kg

Power:

440V power supply via Kevlar umbilical

Price:

POA

The Pollux II is a compact inspection-class ROV offering 400-metre operational capability from a lightweight, manageable package. At 83kg with a polypropylene and AISI 316 stainless steel chassis, the system is straightforward to deploy from a range of vessels and platforms, with a 150-metre Kevlar umbilical providing the combination of strength and neutrally buoyant handling that makes shallow to mid-water inspection operations practical without the infrastructure requirements of larger work-class systems.

Propulsion is delivered by four brushless thruster motors, each producing 11kgf of thrust, providing stable flight characteristics across its operational depth envelope. Automated depth and heading hold reduce pilot workload during extended inspection runs, while the Sony CCD camera system and twin 20W LED lights provide reliable visual coverage of subsea structures, pipelines, and other inspection targets.

The package includes the ROV vehicle, 150-metre Kevlar umbilical, portable control console housed in Explorer cases, a technical manual, and a spare parts kit — giving a new operator a complete and documented system ready for deployment. The 440V umbilical power supply and four-conductor configuration (2 video lines plus 2 spare lines) provide adequate capacity for basic inspection operations and allow for future sensor integration via the spare conductors.

The Pollux II is offered for sale with immediate availability. Serious buyers are invited to contact Silvercrest Submarines to discuss inspection requirements, arrange viewing, and obtain further technical details directly from Alan Whitfield, who has over 30 years of operational experience across the full range of submarine and ROV systems.

Full ROV Specifications

Maximum Operating Depth
400m
Length
880mm
Width
640mm
Height
530mm
Weight in Air
83kg
Propulsion
4 × brushless thruster motors
Thruster Thrust
11kgf each
Auto Depth
Yes
Auto Heading
Yes
Camera
Sony CCD 1/3", 380 lines
Lights
2 × LED, 20W each
Frame Material
High-density polypropylene with AISI 316 bolts and fixing system
Umbilical Type
Kevlar umbilical, 440V power supply, 2 video lines, 2 spare lines
Umbilical Length
150 metres
Control Console
Portable (Explorer cases)
Documentation
Technical Manual included
Spares
Spare Parts Kit included

Key Features of The ROV

  • 400m metres maximum operational depth
  • 400-metre operational depth rating suitable for continental shelf pipeline and infrastructure inspection
  • Four brushless thruster motors producing 11kgf each for stable multi-directional flight
  • Automated depth hold and heading hold reducing pilot workload during extended inspection runs
  • Sony CCD 1/3″ 380-line video camera providing reliable visual documentation
  • Twin 20W LED lights illuminating inspection targets in deepwater conditions
  • High-density polypropylene frame with AISI 316 stainless steel fasteners — corrosion-resistant design suited to long-term marine service
  • Kevlar umbilical cable providing tensile strength with flexible handling characteristics
  • 440V umbilical power supply with 2 video lines and 2 spare conductors available for sensor integration
  • 150-metre Kevlar umbilical included — ready for immediate deployment
  • Compact dimensions (880 × 640 × 530mm) allow vessel deployment without specialised handling equipment
  • Portable Explorer case control console — self-contained surface unit, transportable by 2 operators
  • Complete package: ROV, umbilical, control console, technical manual, and spare parts kit included
  • 83kg system weight facilitating manual handling and vessel-side deployment

The Pollux II is an inspection-class ROV designed to deliver reliable visual coverage at depths up to 400 metres from a compact, self-contained package. The system occupies a practical position in the inspection ROV market: capable enough to survey continental shelf infrastructure including pipelines, subsea cables, quay walls, bridge foundations, and offshore structures, yet portable enough to be deployed from small vessels and transported between sites without specialised handling equipment. Its four brushless thruster motors — each rated at 11kgf thrust — provide multi-directional flight authority within the 400-metre operational envelope, while automated depth hold and heading hold reduce pilot workload during sustained inspection transects.

Construction centres on a high-density polypropylene frame fastened with AISI 316 stainless steel bolts and fixings, a material combination well suited to prolonged marine service. The 150-metre Kevlar umbilical provides both the tensile resilience required for vessel-side handling and the flexibility of a soft cable configuration that manages cleanly from the Explorer case portable console. The four-conductor umbilical configuration — two video lines and two spare lines — means the system is ready for sensor integration work should an operator wish to add CP probe capability or additional instrumentation without requiring umbilical replacement.

Visual coverage is provided by a Sony CCD camera producing 380 lines of resolution, supported by twin 20W LED lights. Auto depth and heading hold are standard, giving the pilot a stable platform for systematic coverage of inspection targets without continuous manual correction. The complete package includes the ROV vehicle, 150-metre Kevlar umbilical, portable control console in Explorer cases, technical manual, and spare parts kit — a fully documented system that an experienced ROV team can operate, maintain, and service in-house from day one.

This Pollux II is offered for sale by Silvercrest Submarines, with immediate availability. Silvercrest Submarines brings over three decades of direct operational experience across a wide range of ROV platforms, from compact inspection vehicles to work-class systems, and can advise serious buyers on deployment configurations, operational planning, and the particular considerations relevant to this specific vehicle. Qualified buyers are invited to contact Silvercrest Submarines directly to arrange inspection and discuss their project requirements with Alan Whitfield.

A Practical 400-Metre Inspection Platform for Mid-Water Operations

The demand for subsea inspection capability at 400 metres exists across a range of industries and project types that do not routinely require, or cannot justify the operating cost of, a fully-equipped work-class ROV system. Pipeline operators maintaining assets on the continental shelf, port authorities inspecting quay walls and mooring infrastructure, civil engineers surveying bridge foundations and dam faces, aquaculture operators monitoring net integrity, and research institutions requiring visual documentation of the seabed all share a common operational requirement: a reliable, deployable inspection platform that can be mobilised to the worksite without a specialist support vessel or dedicated ROV crew.

The Pollux II addresses this requirement directly. At 83kg, it falls within the manual handling capability of a small team. Its portable Explorer case control console eliminates the need for a dedicated control van or surface unit installation. The Kevlar umbilical and four-conductor configuration handle cleanly from a vessel-side or jetty deployment point without the drum winch infrastructure required by heavier systems. The 440V umbilical power supply provides reliable power within the 150-metre operating radius included with the system, and the spare conductors in the umbilical leave headroom for future sensor integration without cable replacement.

Within its operational depth envelope, the Pollux II provides the flight stability and automation that distinguishes a professional inspection platform from a basic observation vehicle. Automated depth hold and heading hold allow the pilot to focus on camera alignment and documentation quality during long transect runs rather than continuous trim management. Four brushless thrusters producing 11kgf each provide confident thrust authority for manoeuvring around structures, holding position against modest current, and conducting the close-approach work that detailed inspection requires.

The system is sold as a complete and documented package: vehicle, umbilical, control console, technical manual, and spare parts kit. This matters to operators for whom in-house maintenance is a practical necessity. A system without documentation and spares is ultimately dependent on the original supplier for every service event — the Pollux II’s included technical manual and spares package give the owning organisation genuine self-sufficiency. Serious buyers seeking a capable, portable, 400-metre inspection system with immediate availability are invited to contact Silvercrest Submarines to discuss their operational requirements.

Design and Construction

The Pollux II occupies a defined dimensional envelope: 880mm in length, 640mm in width, and 530mm in height, with a system weight in air of 83kg. This combination of depth capability and manageable mass places the vehicle in the category of inspection ROVs that can be realistically handled and deployed by a small team from a modest vessel, making it practical for operators who cannot mobilise purpose-built ROV support vessels for every project.

The structural frame is constructed from high-density polypropylene, a material that offers meaningful advantages in a marine inspection context: it does not corrode, is resistant to the chemicals and biofouling agents encountered in both offshore and inshore environments, and provides a stable dimensional reference for component mounting that is unaffected by the corrosion processes that can compromise metallic frame ROVs over extended operational lives. Bolts, fixings, and structural hardware are specified in AISI 316 stainless steel, providing the chemical resistance appropriate to prolonged seawater exposure without the weight penalty of titanium fastening systems.

Propulsion Architecture

Propulsion is delivered by four brushless DC thruster motors, each rated at 11kgf thrust. Brushless motor technology provides important operational advantages over brushed designs in subsea applications: the absence of carbon brushes eliminates a common failure mode and extends service intervals, while the direct-drive configuration removes the mechanical losses and maintenance requirements associated with gearbox-equipped thruster systems. At 11kgf per thruster, the combined thrust budget of 44kgf is appropriate for the inspection tasks the vehicle is intended to perform — holding position against moderate current, manoeuvring around structures, and conducting systematic visual surveys of subsea assets within its 400-metre depth envelope.

Automated depth hold and heading hold are standard-fit, providing the flight stability that underpins professional inspection work. Auto depth hold allows the pilot to maintain a consistent altitude above the seabed or stand-off distance from a structure without continuous manual correction of buoyancy and pitch trim, while heading hold allows the ROV to maintain its survey orientation along a transect line without the yaw drift that can compromise the systematic coverage required for structured inspection programmes.

Camera and Lighting Systems

Visual documentation is provided by a Sony CCD 1/3″ camera producing 380 lines of horizontal resolution. Sony CCD technology has been a consistent specification choice for inspection-class ROVs because of its reliable low-light performance relative to its physical size — the 1/3″ format provides adequate sensitivity for the ambient and artificial lighting conditions encountered in operational inspection work. The 380-line specification is a standard analogue video resolution appropriate to the recording and playback equipment typically used with inspection-class ROVs of this generation.

Illumination is provided by two 20W LED lights. LED lighting has largely displaced tungsten halogen in inspection-class ROV specifications because of its lower power consumption, longer service life, and more consistent colour temperature over the full dimming range. At 20W per unit, the twin LED arrangement provides practical working illumination for close-approach structural inspection and can be supplemented with additional lighting from the umbilical spare conductors if required for specific applications.

Umbilical and Power Systems

The Pollux II’s umbilical cable is constructed with Kevlar as the primary structural element, providing tensile strength suited to vessel-side deployment while remaining sufficiently flexible for practical handling from a portable drum or manual deployment arrangement. The 150-metre length included with the system defines the working radius for standard deployment configurations, which covers the majority of inspection applications encountered in port infrastructure, shallow coastal, and moderate offshore work.

The four-conductor configuration is specified as 440V power supply, two video lines, and two spare lines. The 440V supply provides the voltage level required to drive the vehicle’s propulsion and systems efficiently at the umbilical lengths encountered in inspection work, minimising resistive losses in the umbilical conductors. The two spare conductor lines are a practical feature: they provide the electrical infrastructure for a CP probe, additional sensor, or instrumentation package to be integrated without requiring the umbilical to be replaced. This makes the spare lines a meaningful asset for operators who anticipate expanding the system’s survey capability incrementally.

Surface Control System

The surface control system is housed in portable Explorer cases — a recognised standard for transportable professional equipment that offers weather resistance, stack-ability for transport, and the rugged physical protection appropriate to equipment that moves between deployment sites. The portable console configuration means the complete surface system can be transported in a standard 4×4 vehicle alongside the ROV and umbilical drum, without requiring a control van or surface unit installation. This portability makes the Pollux II genuinely deployable across multiple sites by a mobile inspection team.

Documentation and Spares

The sale includes a technical manual and spare parts kit — two elements that are significant in practice but frequently absent from secondhand ROV sales. A technical manual gives the owning organisation direct access to the specifications, maintenance procedures, fault-finding guidance, and component information required to sustain the system without ongoing supplier dependency. A spare parts kit provides the most common consumable and wearing components at the point of purchase, enabling the in-house team to address routine maintenance and minor failures without extended lead times for parts sourcing. For operators building internal ROV maintenance capability, or for organisations in geographic locations where subsea engineering support services are limited, the inclusion of documentation and spares is a genuine operational advantage.

Market Applications

The Pollux II’s operational profile — 400-metre depth capability, compact and portable package, brushless propulsion with auto depth and heading hold, and complete documentation — positions it across a range of applications where a reliable inspection platform is needed without the infrastructure and operational cost of a work-class deployment.

Pipeline and subsea cable inspection represents a natural market. The continental shelf pipeline network and the growing stock of offshore wind cable export routes require periodic survey for condition monitoring, span assessment, and anomaly investigation. At 400 metres, the Pollux II covers the majority of shallow water pipeline infrastructure, and its portability allows mobilisation aboard the broad range of vessels available for short-duration inspection contracts. Port and harbour authorities responsible for maintaining quay wall integrity, mooring chain condition, and seabed scour records similarly operate within the Pollux II’s depth and portability profile. Aquaculture operators managing net and mooring integrity, civil engineers inspecting bridge foundations and dam faces, and research institutions conducting visual biological surveys are all candidate operators for this class of system.

Operational Requirements and Vessel Considerations

The Pollux II is designed for deployment from a range of vessel types. Its 83kg weight and portable console configuration mean it does not require a crane or A-frame for deployment — experienced personnel can manage it over a vessel side or from a jetty with appropriate safety procedures. The 440V umbilical power requirement necessitates access to either shore power or vessel generator supply at the correct voltage; buyers should confirm their available power supply matches this requirement as part of pre-purchase assessment.

The 150-metre umbilical defines the standard operational radius. For applications requiring deeper penetration or longer horizontal excursion from the deployment point, an extended umbilical would be required. The spare conductors in the existing umbilical make extension feasible without the need for a completely new cable, but buyers should discuss their specific depth and reach requirements with Silvercrest Submarines to confirm the system’s suitability for their intended application.

Why Choose the Pollux II

Within the inspection ROV market, buyers comparing systems at comparable depth ratings will encounter vehicles that offer greater power, more sophisticated navigation suites, or higher-specification imaging systems at commensurately higher prices. The Pollux II’s position is defined by its combination of practical 400-metre capability, manageable physical dimensions, and complete package status — umbilical, console, manual, and spares included. For operators whose primary requirement is reliable visual inspection at depths to 400 metres from a portable and self-contained system, it offers a practical match between capability and operational requirement.

The brushless thruster specification, AISI 316 hardware, and polypropylene frame represent a considered design for sustained marine service. The automated depth and heading hold reduce the pilot skill requirement for routine inspection tasks. The Kevlar umbilical and spare conductor lines provide a foundation for operational expansion. The complete documentation package — technical manual and spare parts kit — gives the owning organisation genuine self-sufficiency from day one of operation.

Why Silvercrest Submarines

Silvercrest Submarines has operated submarine and ROV systems for over 30 years, providing subsea inspection, filming, and survey services to clients worldwide. This operational background — which includes work with the BBC, operations at Loch Ness, and the development of the world’s first mobile underwater bar — means that Silvercrest Submarines brings the perspective of an operator to every vehicle sale, not simply that of a broker or dealer.

For buyers of the Pollux II, this operational context is directly relevant: Silvercrest Submarines can advise on deployment configurations, discuss operational challenges specific to the buyer’s intended application, and draw on direct experience of working with compact inspection-class ROVs in the range of environments where this system is likely to be used. Alan Whitfield provides personal technical oversight of every vehicle in the Silvercrest Submarines inventory, and is available to discuss the Pollux II in detail with qualified prospective buyers.

Next Steps for Interested Buyers

The Pollux II is offered for sale with immediate availability. Price is on application. To proceed, serious buyers are invited to contact Silvercrest Submarines directly to discuss operational requirements, arrange inspection of the vehicle, and obtain full technical detail from Alan Whitfield. Silvercrest Submarines will provide all relevant documentation and support the buyer through the purchase process efficiently.

This Submarine Is Ideal For:

Pipeline and Cable Route Inspection Operators

The Pollux II is well suited to operators engaged in shallow to mid-water pipeline and subsea cable inspection, particularly where project budgets or vessel size preclude the deployment of larger work-class systems. At 400 metres and with auto depth and heading hold, the system is capable of sustained transect runs along pipeline corridors, documenting condition for maintenance planning and regulatory compliance purposes. The 150-metre umbilical included provides practical working radius from a small vessel or barge without the complexity of a TMS arrangement.

Port and Harbour Authorities

Port infrastructure inspection — piers, quay walls, mooring chains, seabed conditions, and navigational hazards — typically occurs in depths well within the Pollux II’s 400-metre capability. The compact chassis and portable console make the system easily transportable between port facilities, while the AISI 316 stainless steel fastener specification provides the corrosion resistance required in the brackish and saline environments typical of harbour operations. Organisations maintaining multiple ports across a geographic area will find the system’s transportability a practical operational advantage.

Marine Contractors and Civil Engineering Firms

Civil engineering contractors engaged in bridge foundation inspection, dam face survey, quay wall assessment, and marine construction monitoring require inspection capability that can be mobilised at short notice to confined or access-restricted locations. The Pollux II’s manually deployable package — no crane or deck handling system required — and Explorer case control console mean the system can be operational at diverse project locations with minimal mobilisation time. The spare conductor lines in the umbilical allow CP probe or additional sensor integration for expanded survey capability.

Research Institutions and Universities

Research organisations requiring cost-effective underwater visual observation capability will find the Pollux II a practical entry to ROV-supported fieldwork. At 83kg, the system can be mobilised aboard small research vessels and ribs with appropriate personnel, and the complete documentation package — technical manual and spare parts kit — supports in-house maintenance and operation without ongoing contractor dependency. The 400-metre depth capability provides access to a significant range of continental shelf research environments.

Fish Farm and Aquaculture Operators

Regular net inspection, mooring assessment, and environmental monitoring are standard operational requirements for marine aquaculture facilities, many of which are situated in sheltered sea lochs and coastal waters well within the Pollux II’s depth range. The system’s compact and portable design facilitates rapid deployment from a tender vessel or jetty, while the visual documentation capability provides the evidence base for net integrity records and environmental compliance reporting.

Search and Recovery Teams

Search operations for objects or structures on the seabed at depths up to 400 metres require reliable visual coverage across a defined search area. The Pollux II’s automated heading and depth hold stabilise the platform during systematic grid search patterns, reducing pilot fatigue and improving documentation quality. For law enforcement, maritime heritage organisations, and commercial salvage companies operating at depths within the system’s capability, the complete and portable package represents a practical search platform available for immediate deployment.

ROV Fleet Operators Building Inspection Capability

Operators expanding from a single vehicle to a small fleet — providing redundancy or multi-site deployment capability — will find the Pollux II a cost-effective second system. The complete package including spare parts kit, documented technical manual, and portable console reduces integration time. The 440V power supply and spare umbilical conductors provide a foundation for future sensor packages. Silvercrest Submarines can advise on deployment, operation, and maintenance based on direct operational experience across a wide range of ROV platforms.

Summary of Core Facts

Pipeline and Cable Route Inspection Operators

The Pollux II is well suited to operators engaged in shallow to mid-water pipeline and subsea cable inspection, particularly where project budgets or vessel size preclude the deployment of larger work-class systems. At 400 metres and with auto depth and heading hold, the system is capable of sustained transect runs along pipeline corridors, documenting condition for maintenance planning and regulatory compliance purposes. The 150-metre umbilical included provides practical working radius from a small vessel or barge without the complexity of a TMS arrangement.

Port and Harbour Authorities

Port infrastructure inspection — piers, quay walls, mooring chains, seabed conditions, and navigational hazards — typically occurs in depths well within the Pollux II’s 400-metre capability. The compact chassis and portable console make the system easily transportable between port facilities, while the AISI 316 stainless steel fastener specification provides the corrosion resistance required in the brackish and saline environments typical of harbour operations. Organisations maintaining multiple ports across a geographic area will find the system’s transportability a practical operational advantage.

Marine Contractors and Civil Engineering Firms

Civil engineering contractors engaged in bridge foundation inspection, dam face survey, quay wall assessment, and marine construction monitoring require inspection capability that can be mobilised at short notice to confined or access-restricted locations. The Pollux II’s manually deployable package — no crane or deck handling system required — and Explorer case control console mean the system can be operational at diverse project locations with minimal mobilisation time. The spare conductor lines in the umbilical allow CP probe or additional sensor integration for expanded survey capability.

Research Institutions and Universities

Research organisations requiring cost-effective underwater visual observation capability will find the Pollux II a practical entry to ROV-supported fieldwork. At 83kg, the system can be mobilised aboard small research vessels and ribs with appropriate personnel, and the complete documentation package — technical manual and spare parts kit — supports in-house maintenance and operation without ongoing contractor dependency. The 400-metre depth capability provides access to a significant range of continental shelf research environments.

Fish Farm and Aquaculture Operators

Regular net inspection, mooring assessment, and environmental monitoring are standard operational requirements for marine aquaculture facilities, many of which are situated in sheltered sea lochs and coastal waters well within the Pollux II’s depth range. The system’s compact and portable design facilitates rapid deployment from a tender vessel or jetty, while the visual documentation capability provides the evidence base for net integrity records and environmental compliance reporting.

Search and Recovery Teams

Search operations for objects or structures on the seabed at depths up to 400 metres require reliable visual coverage across a defined search area. The Pollux II’s automated heading and depth hold stabilise the platform during systematic grid search patterns, reducing pilot fatigue and improving documentation quality. For law enforcement, maritime heritage organisations, and commercial salvage companies operating at depths within the system’s capability, the complete and portable package represents a practical search platform available for immediate deployment.

ROV Fleet Operators Building Inspection Capability

Operators expanding from a single vehicle to a small fleet — providing redundancy or multi-site deployment capability — will find the Pollux II a cost-effective second system. The complete package including spare parts kit, documented technical manual, and portable console reduces integration time. The 440V power supply and spare umbilical conductors provide a foundation for future sensor packages. Silvercrest Submarines can advise on deployment, operation, and maintenance based on direct operational experience across a wide range of ROV platforms.