Oceanbotics deployed its SRV-8 Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) to support Discovery Channel production teams filming Mako sharks off the coast of Catalina Island.
The deployment marked four consecutive years of Oceanbotics partnering with Discovery Channel production teams to track and capture footage of sharks underwater. During two days off Catalina Island, ROV pilot Ryan Gates and Head of Marketing Mira Nagle tracked and filmed Mako sharks using an SRV-8 equipped with a 2D imaging sonar from Blueprint Subsea and the NavPod Navigation Module for situational awareness.
A key upgrade for this year’s expedition was Oceanbotics’ new 4K camera technology, which now comes standard across all SRV-8 series ROVs. The camera provides ultra-high-definition imagery capable of capturing details including shark skin textures and gill movements, as well as sharp imagery at a distance. Combined with the vehicle’s onboard lighting, the camera supports the capture of broadcast-ready 4K footage during dives.
For deployment, the SRV-8 was connected to a ruggedized laptop, powered on and placed into the water, with Oceanbotics stating that total deployment time is less than three minutes. The pilot used camera and 2D imaging sonar views within SubNav OS to spot approaching sharks underwater.
Using a handheld controller, the pilot activated pitch and depth locks to hold a steady hover while framing footage as the sharks swam past. Oceanbotics also stated that curious Mako sharks sometimes brushed past the vehicle, with the SRV-8’s stability enabling steady 4K footage during these close encounters.
Once the mission was completed, the ROV was packed into durable cases while SubNav OS exported .mp4 4K video, .jpeg stills and .sonar files to the laptop for immediate sharing with the production crew.
