Deep Trekker invited H2O Drones to its headquarters for a three-day training session focused on improving H2O Drones’ proficiency in operating Deep Trekker ROV systems, including navigation and positioning tool integration.
H2O Drones has been a Deep Trekker reseller since 2019 and plays a key role in expanding access to ROV technology across the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany. Their team has developed deep expertise in underwater inspections, making them an integral extension of Deep Trekker’s global network.
The recent training session brought together team members from H2O Drones and Van Oord:
- Koenraad Roeten, Technical Manager of Customer Support at H2O Drones
- Peter Van Egmond, Project Manager at H2O Drones
- Jan Holdermans, Director of the Diverless Program at Van Oord
Van Oord, an established dredging company, works closely with H2O Drones, exchanging knowledge on the use of ROVs to maximize operational efficiency. This collaboration provides an opportunity to refine best practices and explore new applications.
The session was tailored to address specific operational needs and deepen their understanding of Deep Trekker’s systems, with a focus on newly developed features and navigation technology, further expanding their expertise.
Training Overview and Focus
Koenraad Roeten, H2O Drones’ Technical Manager, joined the first two days of training, participating in hands-on sessions that covered an in-depth understanding of Deep Trekker’s ROV positioning capabilities, including GPS functionality, USBL effectiveness, and sensor integrations. The third day included field-based operator training, where Koenraad was joined by Peter and Jan for more advanced piloting exercises.
Key areas of focus during the training included:
- Using ROV GPS for navigation
- Effective use of USBL for navigation
- SensorPod+/DVL/IMU integration
- Positioning data for sonar imaging
Levi Pike, Technical Resource Manager at Deep Trekker, stated, “H2O Drones pushes the limits of what our ROVs can do. This training week was an exercise in expanding their skills in maintenance and navigation tool integration. With a high focus on precision and delivering the best of the best to their customers, they have a passion for excellence. Not only do they support their customers with the utmost skill, but they also use these systems and skills to complete inspections within their own business.”
Workshop Sessions and Training Activities
The workshop training at Deep Trekker’s headquarters began with Koenraad Roeten participating in advanced service training. This session covered communications, electrical, and mechanical systems, with a particular emphasis on advanced navigation system integrations.
Koenraad was trained in how these integrations work within Deep Trekker ROVs, specifically focusing on how to optimize ROV navigation using positioning and sensor data.
This training is vital for ensuring that the ROVs can navigate with precision, especially when performing complex inspections that require accurate location tracking, such as underwater mapping and infrastructure inspections.
As part of the continued training, Koenraad engaged in hands-on service work to deepen his understanding of system maintenance and repair, with a particular focus on ensuring optimal functionality of navigation systems.
Tim De La Franier, Deep Trekker Diagnostician & Service Trainer, commented, “I spent time teaching them how to service and repair the REVOLUTION and its components, such as the grabber and SensorPod+. I also demonstrated the SensorPod+ calibration process. They were very knowledgeable and a great team to work with. I look forward to continuing our work together in the future.”
Field Training at the Lake
The group also participated in field-based training at a local lake, focusing on advanced piloting skills and navigation techniques.
Blake Hutchings, Technical Trainer at Deep Trekker, commented, “During H2O Drones’ visit, we focused on ROV positioning capabilities, particularly the use of USBL and Dead Reckoning. These technologies are key to delivering precise and reliable navigation, and it was great to exchange insights with a team that already excels in this area.”
The lake training provided hands-on experience for H2O Drones in real-world conditions, ensuring they could apply what they learned in the workshop to actual underwater environments, testing navigation systems and piloting techniques under various conditions.
Training Feedback and Product Insights
H2O Drones provided positive feedback on the training, noting the valuable insights gained, especially in integrating navigation tools and improving positioning accuracy.
They also shared several product suggestions that have been forwarded to engineering. Some of the suggestions include improvements to the insurance system’s accuracy and the addition of a camera offset feature based on the ROV’s location.
Hermon Gebremariam, Support Engineer at Deep Trekker, said, “They were very interested in learning about the existing and upcoming features of our underwater positioning systems. They shared their experiences and had some questions around usability which we were able to address and demonstrate. It was a pleasure working with such a knowledgeable team who were not just interested in high level functionalities but pushed for technical details and were keen on achieving precise results.”
Future Collaboration
Both Deep Trekker and H2O Drones are looking forward to future collaboration opportunities. Koenraad expressed interest in having Deep Trekker provide additional training to his pilots in the Netherlands, further expanding their skill set. There is also the possibility of retraining, with the Deep Trekker team visiting H2O Drones for further professional development.
Cody Warner, Vice President, Commercial, also stated, “H2O Drones has consistently demonstrated technical expertise, industry experience, and a commitment to excellence. Working with skilled and dedicated teams such as theirs ensures that customers receive the best possible solutions for their inspection needs. Their hands-on approach and deep understanding of engineering make them a vital partner in expanding access to cutting-edge ROV technology.”
