Marine ARMS Recovery Services in the Maldives and Seychelles

The University of Plymouth is seeking expressions of interest from established, experienced organizations to provide deep scientific diving and specialized recovery services for two marine research projects. The work involves recovering 36 Autonomous Reef Monitoring Systems (ARMS) — underwater biodiversity monitoring devices — from depths of 40m, 60m, and 90m across the Maldives (27 units at three sites) and Seychelles (9 units at one site). Each ARMS unit weighs approximately 20kg and will have been submerged for 36 months. Recovery operations are scheduled for January-February 2030 and require careful extraction using specialized containment enclosures to preserve biological specimens. The University anticipates that mixed-gas technical diving with Closed Circuit Rebreather (CCR) systems may be necessary, but welcomes alternative technical solutions that minimize or eliminate diver intervention. Successful contractors must obtain all necessary permits and approvals, maintain comprehensive safety documentation, provide appropriate insurance, supply all personnel and equipment (diving gear, gas systems, vessels as needed), and ensure compliance with applicable legislation and industry standards. Individual divers and informal consortia are not eligible; only formally established organizations should apply. Interested parties should email megan.worth@plymouth.ac.uk to confirm capability. A formal tender with detailed Risk Assessments and Method Statements requirements will follow this preliminary market engagement phase.