Summary Sheet for ROV Pilot and Navigator
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) regulates the development of Outer Continental
Shelf (OCS) oil and natural gas resources, and strives for operations that are both safe and
environmentally sound. Several activities related to development in deepwater may have localized
impacts on benthic communities, if such communities exist near the facility.
An ROV survey is required of selected operators as a verification of the effectiveness of existing
BOEM environmental reviews and mitigations imposed to avoid impacts to certain types of seafloor
biologic communities. The ROV survey consists of recording biological and physical information on
this ROV survey form and submitting the forms and videotapes of the transects and any additional
imagery that may help depict bottom conditions such as ROV scanning sonar data.
Conduct the two ROV surveys and complete pages 1 and 2, documenting basic visual sightings of
deepwater animals and bottom conditions. What we are looking for is an account of the types of
animals present and the appearance of the bottom such as color and texture. No scientific expertise is
required, simply do the best job possible using the pictures or simple descriptions. We have found that
the seafloor is generally a rather featureless plain with relatively few visible animals and minimal
currents. We are interested in all observations of animals and indications of currents such as ripple
marks and bottom types. Of particular interest is the observation of hardbottom areas or outcrops
with any attached animals.
Fly the ROV close enough to the bottom so that relatively small animals and features (one inch and
larger) can be observed and identified on the resulting videotape. Suggested track lines at 60-degree
intervals are depicted on page 1. This is just a suggested pattern, the important requirements being that
each of the six excursions extend at least 100 meters from the launch point and that a minimum of one
transect pass directly over or near the well or well cluster (template) site. Show the tracks in the survey
report with transect numbers, times, and bearings indicated so that video images can be later located in
relation to the well or well cluster site and using the videotape timelines. Close-up shots of individual
animals or new bottom types are very helpful.
For operators interested in becoming familiar with the appearance of chemosynthetic communities,
there are other sites, including one maintained by BOEM that contain excellent images:
http://www.gomr.boemre.gov/homepg/regulate/environ/chemo/chemo.html
http://www.bio.psu.edu//cold_seeps/index.html
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) Statement: The PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) requires BOEM to inform you that we collect the information on
this form to identify high-density biological communities that may occur on the seafloor in deep water and, if such areas are found, to help design
mitigation measures to avoid them in the future. The survey will help to assess the effectiveness of existing avoidance criteria and expand the knowledge
base regarding the benthic habitats of the deep-water seafloor. Authority for collecting this information is 30 CFR 250.201(a). An agency may not conduct
or sponsor and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. The Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) approved the collection of information required under 30 CFR, subpart B. Responses are mandatory (43 U.SC. 1334).
Public reporting burden for this form is estimated to average 3 hours, including the time for reviewing instructions, gathering and maintaining data, and
completing and reviewing the forms associated with subpart B. Direct comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of this information
collection to the Information Collection Clearance Officer, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement, 45600 Woodland Road,
Sterling, Virginia 20166.
BOEM Form 0141 (June 2018 - Supersedes all previous editions of this form which may not be used) Page 5 of 5
