ROV SuBastian is operated from the Schmidt Ocean Institute's research vessel RV Falkor and can reach depths up to 4,500m (2.8 miles).
SuBastian was tank tested at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute prior to its first deep sea launch.
[4] As of 2020, ROV SuBastian has completed over 400 dives around the globe, enabling researcher’s access to remote regions and depths.
Researchers utilizing ROV SuBastian have discovered new species, seafloor features, and advanced scientific exploration of the global ocean.
It is tethered to Falkor with a highly flexible and robust umbilical cable, which provides electrical and optical signals between the ship and ROV.