New UK ROV company launched

A new subsea company has officially launched with the announcement of its first UK contract.

ROV and inspection company Rovco, based in Bristol, has secured a contract with a UK Marine Trust.

The company, which says it has 10 ROVs, is also about to embark on its second underwater survey project in partnership with a south-west diving company.

Led by CEO and founder, Brian Allen, Rovco says it will offer high quality, cost effective solutions for underwater hydrographic survey and inspection services, using high resolution state-of-the-art 4K cameras, and 360 degree scanning sonars.

Allen previously managed multiple ROV systems on construction, inspection and lay vessels as a superintendent for Deepocean.

He said: “After many years of working in the industry and being aware of how adopting new techniques could significantly reduce subsea operating costs and increase efficiency, I decided it was time to set up Rovco and do just that.

“In this low oil price environment, our clients are looking for lower cost subsea services while still maintaining a high focus on safety and quality. We believe in running a competitive business model that meets these expectations and provides the best ROV pilots the industry has to offer.”

Rovco has been backed by Entrepreneurial Spark powered by Natwest, the world’s largest free business accelerator programme for new and growing ventures.

The company is also a member of Subsea UK, the body which supports and represents the £9 billion British underwater industry, promoting it at home and abroad.

Neil Gordon, CEO of Subsea UK said: “Rovco has launched at a time when a number of companies are feeling the strain of the sustained low oil price, however the company’s business model is built around exactly what the industry needs to overcome these challenges.

“There is a cluster of subsea companies in the South-west of England and Subsea UK is committed to supporting and promoting this expertise to the subsea supply chain at home and abroad.”