What Is an Underwater Drone? Uses, Types & Insurance Guide

Key Takeaways

• Underwater drones are unmanned vehicles used to explore, inspect and monitor underwater environments.
• ROVs and AUVs are the two main types, differing mainly in how they are controlled and operated.
• They are used for infrastructure inspection, marine research, search and rescue, aquaculture, filmmaking and environmental monitoring.
• Commercial operators can consider Drone Insurance to manage covered risks such as accidental damage, loss and third-party liability, depending on the policy.

What Is an Underwater Drone?

An underwater drone is an unmanned robotic vehicle designed to operate below the water's surface. Depending on the type, it can either be controlled remotely by an operator or follow a pre-programmed route with limited human intervention.

Most underwater drones are equipped with cameras, lights and sensors that help operators see and collect information from underwater environments. More advanced systems can also use sonar, navigation equipment and robotic arms for specialised inspection or research tasks.

In simple terms, an underwater drone works like a robotic underwater assistant. It allows an operator to explore or inspect areas without putting a diver directly into the environment.

How Does an Underwater Drone Work?

The exact operating mechanism depends on the type of underwater drone, but a typical system includes:

• Underwater camera: Captures photos and videos beneath the surface.
• Lights: Improve visibility in dark or murky water.
• Thrusters: Help the drone move in different directions.
• Tether or communication system: Allows the operator to control the vehicle and receive live data.
• Sensors: Collect information about the surrounding environment.
• Sonar: Helps identify objects and structures when visibility is poor.
• Control system: Allows the operator to navigate and monitor the drone.

Advanced underwater drones can also support accessories such as robotic arms, sonar systems and other specialised payloads depending on the mission.

A Simple Example

Suppose an engineering company needs to inspect the underwater section of a bridge.

Instead of immediately sending divers into potentially low-visibility water, an underwater drone can be deployed with a camera and lighting system. The operator can control the drone remotely, inspect the structure and capture footage that can later be reviewed by engineers.

Types of Underwater Drones

Underwater drones are generally classified based on how they are controlled and how they operate.

1. ROVs – Remotely Operated Vehicles

ROVs are connected to the operator through a tether or umbilical cable.

The cable can provide communication and, depending on the system, power to the vehicle. The operator controls the ROV in real time while viewing footage from its camera.

ROVs are commonly used for:

• Infrastructure inspections
• Ship hull inspections
• Pipeline monitoring
• Offshore operations
• Search and rescue
• Marine research

They are particularly useful when an operator needs continuous control and live visual feedback.

2. AUVs – Autonomous Underwater Vehicles

AUVs operate without a physical tether to the surface.

They can be programmed to follow a specific route or conduct a defined underwater mission using onboard navigation systems, sensors and batteries. AUVs are particularly useful for large-area surveys, mapping and scientific research.

ROV vs AUV: Key Differences

Why Are Underwater Drones Important?

Underwater environments can be difficult for humans to access safely and efficiently. Divers may face:

• Limited visibility
• Strong underwater currents
• Depth-related risks
• Restricted working time
• Difficult access to underwater structures
• Safety concerns around pipelines, vessels and industrial equipment

Underwater drones can help address some of these challenges by allowing operators to inspect and collect information remotely.

Key benefits include:

Reduced human exposure: Operators can inspect difficult environments without immediately putting divers at risk.

Real-time information: Cameras and sensors can provide live visuals and other underwater data.

Faster inspections: Routine inspections can potentially be completed without extensive diver deployment.

Better documentation: Video and images can help create records for inspection and maintenance.

Access to difficult locations: Specialised systems can operate at depths or in environments that may be difficult for conventional inspection methods.

What Are Underwater Drones Used For?

The applications of underwater drones extend far beyond exploration and photography.

1. Underwater Infrastructure Inspection

Underwater drones can inspect structures such as:

• Dams and reservoirs
• Bridge foundations
• Pipelines
• Offshore platforms
• Underwater cables
• Ports and harbour structures

They can help identify visible signs of corrosion, cracks, damage, marine growth and other issues. This makes them useful for engineering and infrastructure companies that need regular underwater inspections.

2. Ship Hull Inspection

Ship operators can use underwater drones to inspect portions of a vessel below the waterline. Depending on the equipment, inspections may help identify:

• Corrosion
• Cracks
• Structural damage
• Marine growth
• Other visible defects

The footage can then be used for maintenance assessment and documentation.

3. Oil and Gas Operations

Offshore oil and gas infrastructure requires regular monitoring of underwater components. ROVs can assist with activities such as:

• Pipeline inspection
• Offshore structure inspection
• Subsea monitoring
• Visual assessment of underwater equipment

This can reduce the need to expose divers to certain hazardous underwater environments.

4. Marine Research and Ocean Exploration

Scientists and researchers use underwater robotic systems to study environments that are difficult to observe directly. Applications can include:

• Studying marine ecosystems
• Observing marine life
• Examining seabeds
• Mapping underwater environments
• Collecting research data

AUVs are particularly useful where large areas need to be surveyed systematically.

5. Search and Rescue

Underwater drones can assist search teams during emergencies. They may be used to:

• Search for submerged vehicles
• Locate underwater objects
• Examine areas with poor visibility
• Support rescue teams
• Reduce the need to immediately send divers into hazardous areas

Some systems can also use sonar to improve detection in dark or murky water.

6. Aquaculture and Fisheries

Underwater drones can also support fish farming and aquaculture operations. They can be used to:

• Inspect nets and cages
• Check for damage
• Monitor underwater conditions
• Observe fish behaviour
• Identify possible intrusions or predators

This can help operators monitor underwater assets without repeatedly deploying divers.

7. Filmmaking and Underwater Photography

Underwater drones have made underwater photography more accessible. Creators can use them to capture:

• Marine wildlife
• Coral reefs
• Shipwrecks
• Submerged structures
• Underwater landscapes

Many modern systems provide high-resolution video and live viewing capabilities.

8. Environmental Monitoring

Environmental organisations can use underwater drones to monitor changes beneath the surface. Potential applications include:

• Coral reef monitoring
• Pollution detection
• Marine debris tracking
• Ecosystem observation
• Conservation research

This makes underwater robotics useful not only for commercial operations but also for environmental projects.

Underwater Drones in India

India's extensive coastline and marine infrastructure create several potential applications for underwater robotics.

The country has a coastline of around 7,517 km, while underwater operations are relevant to sectors such as ports, fisheries, offshore energy, research and maritime infrastructure.

Some important areas include:

• Ports and Shipping: Underwater drones can assist with vessel hull and port infrastructure inspections.
• Offshore Energy: ROVs can support inspections of subsea infrastructure and offshore installations.
• Fisheries and Aquaculture: Compact underwater drones can help inspect cages, nets and underwater environments.
• Scientific Research: AUVs and ROVs can support oceanographic research and underwater mapping.
• Disaster Response: Underwater systems can assist with locating submerged objects and assessing underwater conditions.

This makes underwater drones particularly relevant as India expands its marine infrastructure and technology capabilities.

What Are the Risks of Operating an Underwater Drone?

While underwater drones reduce some risks associated with human diving, the drone itself remains exposed to significant operational risks. Common risks include:

• Water Ingress: A failure in seals or housing can allow water to reach sensitive electronics.
• Collision: The drone may collide with underwater structures, vessels, rocks or other objects.
• Tether Damage: For ROVs, the tether can become tangled, damaged or disconnected during operations.
• Loss of the Drone: A vehicle can become inaccessible or lost in deep or difficult underwater environments.
• Equipment Damage: Cameras, sensors, lights, sonar systems and other payloads can be damaged during an operation.
• Third-Party Damage: An underwater drone operating near vessels, pipelines, cables, or other infrastructure could potentially cause damage to third-party property.

These risks can become particularly significant when the drone is being used for commercial inspection or industrial operations.

Do Underwater Drones Need Insurance?

For businesses using underwater drones professionally, drone insurance can be an important part of managing operational risk.

The appropriate insurance depends on the drone, its value, where it operates, the nature of the work and the risks involved. For example, a company using a small ROV for underwater photography may face very different risks from a contractor using an expensive ROV for offshore infrastructure inspection.

What Can Drone Insurance Help Protect Against?

Depending on the policy and applicable terms, insurance for underwater drone operations may be structured to address risks such as:

• Drone damage: Protection for physical damage to the insured equipment.
• Accidental loss: Cover may be available for specified loss or damage scenarios.
• Third-party liability: Protection against eligible third-party claims arising from operations.
• Equipment and payload: Depending on the policy, associated equipment may also require consideration.
• Operational risks: The scope of protection depends on the policy wording and declared use.

Important: Underwater drones are different from conventional aerial drones. Businesses should therefore check whether the proposed policy specifically accommodates underwater operations and the equipment being insured rather than assuming that a standard aerial drone policy applies.

How to Reduce Underwater Drone Risks

Insurance should complement, rather than replace, good operating practices. Businesses can reduce operational risks by:

• Inspecting the drone before deployment
• Checking seals and connections
• Testing the tether
• Following the manufacturer's depth limits
• Maintaining batteries and electronics
• Using trained operators
• Planning missions around environmental conditions
• Maintaining records of inspections and maintenance
• Understanding local permissions before operating

An appropriate drone insurance can help businesses manage both operational and financial risks.

Conclusion

Underwater drones are evolving from specialised exploration equipment into practical tools for inspection, research, infrastructure monitoring, aquaculture, environmental protection and search-and-rescue operations.

Their biggest advantage is simple: they allow businesses to collect information from challenging underwater environments while reducing the need to expose people to certain operational risks. But as underwater drones become more valuable and their applications expand, the financial risk of operating them also increases.