HiSubsea

The University of Haifa Subsea vehicles and Deep-sea research facility

HiSubsea (University of Haifa Subsea Vehicles and Deep-Sea Research Facility) is a national deep-sea research infrastructure established by the University of Haifa to support scientific discovery, environmental stewardship, and marine technology innovation. Operating under the Charney School of Marine Sciences, the facility provides researchers, academic institutions, public agencies, and the BlueTech sector with access to advanced subsea vehicles, including the deep-sea ROV Jonah and the high-resolution mapping AUV Snapir. Supported by specialized engineering expertise, maintenance facilities, and data management capabilities, HiSubsea enables cutting-edge research and technological development in Israel’s marine environment.

Our Mission

To enable world-class deep-sea research and technological innovation through shared national infrastructure, professional expertise, and access to advanced subsea vehicles.

What We Do

  • Deep-sea exploration
  • Seafloor mapping
  • Scientific sampling
  • Environmental monitoring
  • Technology testing and validation
  • Support for BlueTech innovation

Infrastructure

SNAPIR AUV

A unique autonomous underwater vehicle designed for ultra-high-resolution mapping and surveying of the deep seafloor. 

​Dimensions

Weight: 800kg
Length: 5500mm (4900mm without configurable section)
Diameter: 500mm

PERFORMANCE
Endurance: 24 hours at typical payload configuration
Depth rating: 3000msw
Speed: 2kt minimum, 5kt maximum 

Sensors
Kraken MINSAS120 Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Sonar (SAS) - 3cm/pixel resolution
Edgetech 2205 Sub-bottom profiler
Bowtech 3D HD video camera
Norbit WBMS Multi Beam Echo Sounder – 1 degree resolution, up to 270m range
Water sensors: Flourimeter, pH sensor, Turbidimeter, Dissolved oxygen sensor

Do24 Seaplane - SAS image taken by the A18D during system testing in southern France. Depth ~100m

Video link
Press to watch the video on Youtube

Jonah ROV

Israel's scientific deep-sea remotely operated vehicle for observation, sampling, intervention, and deployment missions beyond the continental shelf.

​SPECIFICATIONS

Depth Rating: 3000 msw
Dimensions: 2150mm x 1174mm x 1160mm (LxHxW)
Weight in Air (without skid): 1200kg
Propulsion: 11 Electric brushless DC thrusters (3     Vertical, 8 Horizontal)

Main camera: SubC 1CAM lite Mk6 - 4K Video, parallel reference lasers,up to 60 degree in-water FOV, 20x Zoom

Secondary cameras: 1 Color Zoom SD Camera, 2 Auxilary SD cameras (Tether camera, rearview camera)

1 x Schilling Orion 7P Manipulator

Automatic heading, altitude, depth, roll, pitch and station keeping capabilities - DVL and Altimeter installed.

Scientific payload capacity: Approx. 100kg

Science skid mounted under the ROV, with hydraulic sample tray

LOGISTICS & SHIP REQUIREMENTS

Normally, the ROV is deployed from the R/V Bat Galim. However, operation from other ships is possible given they satisfy the following requirements:

  1. Class 1 Dynamic positioning.

  2. Deck space for mounting the system (2x20ft foot prints)

  3. Suitable crane or A-frame for lifting the ROV and supporting the sheave wheel (3 tons)

  4. USBL Transceiver compatible with the installed Linkquest Tracklink 5000 series
     

Other USBL systems can be used if provided by the ordering party

The system ships in two parts: 

  1. Control cabin and power room are in a standard 20ft container

  2. Winch mounted on 20ft flat-rack container (bolster).

For shipping, the ROV is also mounted to the flat-rack. If the ship cannot provide enough electrical power, a stand-alone generator is used, which can also be mounted on the flat rack.

Entire system mounted on a truck before mobilization.

Services

Available Support

  • Research cruises support
  • Survey planning
  • Vehicle operations
  • Data acquisition
  • Technical consultation
  • Technology demonstration projects

Who Can Access HiSubsea?

  • Universities
  • Research institutes
  • Government agencies
  • Environmental organizations
  • BlueTech companies