Exploring False Bay's Seafloor Through Innovation: MARiS Collaboration MarBEL x ARU

15 Jun 2026 | By Muhammad Uzair Davids ,Gavin Foster,Leila Nefdt
15 Jun 2026 | By Muhammad Uzair Davids ,Gavin Foster,Leila Nefdt

A new collaboration between the Marine Benthic Ecology Lab (MarBEL) and the African Robotics Unit (ARU) is opening up exciting opportunities for marine research by combining ecological expertise with cutting-edge robotic technology.

Led by Dr Natasha Karenyi (MarBEL) and Robyn Verrinder (ARU), the collaboration recently brought together researchers, technical staff, and students from the Departments of Biological Sciences, Electrical Engineering, and Oceanography to test and train with a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) that will support future seafloor research in False Bay.

*An ROV is an unoccupied, highly maneuverable underwater robot. It is controlled by a pilot from a surface vessel or nearby shore, and it is connected via a "tether" of cables that transmits pilot commands, power, and real-time video feeds (NASA Ocean Exploration, 2014).

Buyani Mazeka, Uzair Davids, Stephanie Schoeman, Agoritsa Spirakis and Gavin Foster carrying out the pool test and ROV training.

This collaborative project brought together researchers, students, and technical staff from the Departments of Biological Sciences, Electrical Engineering, and Oceanography at UCT. The Marine Benthic Ecology Laboratory (MarBEL) team included Dr Natasha Karenyi (MarBEL Lead), Dr Buyani Mazeka and Dr Stephanie Schoeman (Postdoctoral Fellows), MSc students Basetsana Molatlhwa and Muhammad Uzair Davids, and Andrea Plos, Principal Technical Officer in the Department of Biological Sciences. Representing the African Robotics Unit (ARU) within the Department of Electrical Engineering were Robyn Verrinder, who provided the Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), along with Research Assistants Gavin Foster and Agoritsa Spirakis, who supported the testing and training activities. The field component was further supported by Pieter Truter, Principal Technical Officer in the Department of Oceanography, who skippered the research vessel during the False Bay trials. Together, the team combined expertise in marine ecology, robotics, engineering, and ocean operations to successfully test and deploy the ROV for future benthic research applications.

Ampelisca-specimen
Ampelisca sp. [Photo taken by Muhammad Uzair Davids]

This exciting new initiative is centred around Biological Sciences MSc student, Muhammad Uzair Davids' research, which aims to map and better understand the extensive tube beds created by tube-building amphipods of the genus Ampelisca. While previous research has confirmed the presence of these unique benthic habitats in False Bay, many questions remain about their size, structure, density, and ecological importance.

The first phase of the project involved ROV training at the UCT swimming pool on 3 June 2026, where members of MarBEL familiarised themselves with the vehicle's controls, piloting capabilities, and potential sampling configurations. The second phase took place on 12 June 2026 in False Bay, where the team conducted sea trials to evaluate the ROV's performance in real ocean conditions and assess its suitability for benthic habitat surveys.

The field tests proved highly successful. The team completed dives at depths of 25 and 30 metres, collecting approximately 50 minutes of underwater footage and capturing observations of seafloor habitats and marine life in their natural environment. From an engineering perspective, the ROV performed exceptionally well, successfully completing deployments and recoveries while demonstrating its readiness for future research applications.

Left: Gavin Foster and Uzair Davids runs the ROV pool trial tests at the UCT Swimming Pool. Right: Dr Buyani Mazeka also assisting with the ROV pool tests.

 

For the MarBEL team, one of the most exciting outcomes was the opportunity to observe benthic organisms in situ and begin exploring new ways to study seafloor ecosystems. For the ARU team, the trials provided valuable insight into the platform's performance and opportunities for further technical development.

This collaboration highlights the power of interdisciplinary research, bringing together researchers, students, and technical specialists from the UCT Departments of Biological Sciences, Electrical Engineering, and Oceanography, combining expertise in marine ecology, robotics, and ocean technology & operations to develop innovative approaches for understanding South Africa's coastal ecosystems, particularly advancing seafloor research within False Bay. 

Looking ahead, future deployments will focus on locating and documenting Ampelisca tube beds and potentially capturing previously unobserved behaviours on video. Planned upgrades to the ROV, including the addition of a down-facing stereo camera system, will further enhance the team's ability to identify, measure, and monitor benthic habitats.

Thank you to all who have contributed to this project thus far. As the project progresses, it promises to provide new insights into life on the seafloor while showcasing how partnerships across various disciplines can advance both scientific discovery and technological innovation. Watch this space for more exciting news on ocean innovation and exploration!