Exail to equip Deep Ocean Search with next-generation navigation and positioning systems for deep-sea missions

Brest, France, 11/09/2025 – Deep Ocean Search (DOS), a leading deep-sea exploration company, has selected Exail to provide the navigation and acoustic positioning capabilities required for its upcoming missions. As part of this collaboration, DOS will deploy Exail’s Rovins 9-DVL navigation system and Gaps M7 acoustic positioning system, enabling operations at depths of up to 6,000 meters.

Operating at such extreme depths in some of the world’s most challenging subsea environments requires highly precise, reliable, and autonomous systems to ensure safety, efficiency, and uninterrupted mission performance. Exail’s technologies are specifically designed to meet these demands, giving DOS the confidence to execute complex deep-sea operations under demanding conditions.

DOS' XL Mariner work-class ROV, integrating Exail’s Rovins 9-DVL system, will enable accurate navigation and reliable positioning in deep-sea operations up to 6,000 meters.

“These systems were chosen not only for their compact design and advanced capabilities but also for their proven track record in the marine industry,” said Sébastien Bougant, Ashore Manager at DOS. “The combination of Rovins 9-DVL and Gaps M7 will allow us to achieve new levels of precision and reliability in the most demanding subsea missions."

Quentin Chiche, Regional Sales Manager at Exail, added: “We are proud to support DOS in pushing the boundaries of deep-sea exploration. By delivering the accuracy and autonomy required in such environments, we help operators focus on their mission objectives with full confidence in their navigation and positioning systems.”

The Rovins 9-DVL will be integrated into DOS’ XL Mariner work-class ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle), built by Argus in Norway. Combining Exail’s fiber-optic gyroscope technology with Nortek’s DVL (Doppler Velocity Log), Rovins 9-DVL ensures accurate seabed-relative navigation in GNSS-denied environments. By reducing drift and maintaining precise velocity tracking, it enhances the efficiency and predictability of subsea operations.

The Gaps M7 USBL system complements this by providing rapid deployment and omnidirectional long-range tracking, even in acoustically challenging conditions. Its pre-calibrated design ensures continuous real-time positioning of subsea assets, offering greater operational agility, minimized downtime, and enhanced control during demanding missions.

This collaboration highlights the strategic importance of reliable subsea technologies in enabling safe, efficient, and ambitious deep-sea operations. By equipping DOS with robust, field-proven solutions, Exail strengthens its role in advancing the future of deep-sea exploration and supporting mission success in the harshest marine environments.