Ensuring the safety and efficacy of deep-sea operations.
Deep-sea missions demand equipment that performs flawlessly under extreme pressure. At depths where ocean pressure reaches nearly 75,000 pounds per square foot, subsea operations rely on specialized systems engineered for safety, control, and performance. OceanWorks International, a long-standing Rugged Controls customer, exemplifies this with their Hardsuit™, supported by Dynacon Launch and Recovery System (LARS) and monitored by our trusted RPC-90x.
The OceanWorks Hardsuit™ 1200 in Action
Used by the Italian and French Navies, the OceanWorks Hardsuit™ is a one-atmosphere suit designed for dives up to 1,200 feet deep. Typical missions last 6–8 hours, with life support reserves enabling emergency endurance up to 24 hours. Oxygen is stored onboard the suit, while surface support provides power, communications, and telemetry via a specialized umbilical. Though it weighs approximately 750 lbs in air, the suit is nearly neutrally buoyant in water (just 5 lbs) allowing for ease of maneuverability in subsea environments.
Advanced Launch and Recovery with Dynacon LARS
The Hardsuit™ is deployed using a Dynacon LARS, a hardy solution purpose-built for subsea applications. Featuring an integrated Tether Management System (TMS), the LARS enables the Hardsuit™ to “fly” at various depths without the burden of managing a long umbilical from the surface. Compact and modular, the system can fold up for rapid transport between vessels, which is an essential feature for naval mobility.
Precision Monitoring with the RPC-90x Display
Mounted directly into the LARS enclosure, the RPC-90x winch load monitoring system ensures precise control during deployment and recovery. With decimal-point accuracy in tension, speed, and payout measurements, operators have full confidence when lowering the Hardsuit™ into the deep. Its electroluminescent screen delivers outstanding visibility even in direct sunlight, greatly assisting the roles of topside crews. For over 12 years, Dynacon has trusted the Programmable Controllers from Rugged Controls as its primary winch monitoring interface for critical subsea operations.
Conclusion
OceanWorks and Dynacon continue to lead in subsea technology through proven, field-ready systems. Rugged Controls is proud to support these missions with dependable winch monitoring solutions.
