Evaluation of the first year of scientific use of the French ROV Victor 6000

The evaluation of the first year of intensive scientific use of the French deep sea remotely operated vehicle (ROV) "Victor 6000" is presented. Victor was used in 2001 during five cruises on the continental margins. The Zairov 1 & 2, Biozaire 1 & 2 cruises were conducted offshore Western Africa and the Caracole cruise was conducted along the North East Atlantic margins (Porcupine and Rockall bank). Cold seep settings (up to 3000 m depth), coral mounds (400-1000 m), oil exploration rigs (1300 m) and the Zaire channel (about 4000 m) were explored. Victor carried out on site work during two cruises (IRIS & ATOS) on the hydrothermal vent areas in the Mid Atlantic Ridge (Menez Gwen 850 m, Lucky Strike 1650 m and Rainbow 2350 m). Finally, Victor was used by the Alfred Wegener Institute, through a French-German cooperation in the Arctic deep sea, to study the high diversity of species in the deep sea, at high latitude (AWI leg). Different strategies were tested during those cruises like survey and exploration or experimental work on small areas. The dive durations ranged between 8 to 28 hours on the bottom. The high potential of Victor was confirmed in both strategies with a high ability for the manipulation and. the trials of varied pieces of instrumentation. The status and recent evolution of Victor 6000 are presented showing the essential role of dynamic technical support oriented toward scientific objectives and operability.