Some good websites for ROV homebuilders:

http://www.homebuiltrovs.com

http://www.angelfire.com/mech/homerov/

PVC ROV 

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/robotrov/

ROV World - Homebuilt Forum

A lot of work has been done to improve the amount of data returned from submersibles and ROVs to surface or shoreside operators. 

Enough bandwidth is now available that some lucky students have been following live, and even controlling, a deep sea exploration, watching hi definition video from an ROV in the Pacific.  Exploring a forest of hydrothermal vents known as the Lost City, data is transmitted from an ROV through fiber optic cable, a satellite link and finally through Internet2, an upgraded version of the Internet.  Students see images from the ROV with a time delay of 1.5 seconds.

Seattle PI story 1...

Seattle PI story 2...

Robert Ballard has proposed an ambitious plan to preserve the Titanic and make it accessible to anyone with an Internet connection.  Two tethered ROVs, following permanent guide cables, would roam either side of the bow section.  Timed lights would illuminate particular features as the ROVs passed and hi definition video would be sent via fiber optics to a surface buoy for beaming to a satellite.

Ballard's Titanic Underwater Museum

On this, the latest seemingly bi-annual exploration of the Titanic, fiber optic cables relay video and other data to the surface.  This documentary expedition made use of the Russian Mir submersibles and two or three new small ROVs which were able to penetrate farther into the wreck.  Carrying their thin control umbilicals on an internal reel, these self-powered ROVs trailed each other into some never before seen passageways and compartments of the Titanic.

Last Mysteries of the Titanic - Discovery Channel

Homebuilt ROVs are a fairly popular niche hobby.  At least compared to homebuilt sidescan sonar.   Like many amateur engineering hobbies, it can take a lot of work to get something running, and then there are the inevitable problems that occur while testing and using your creation.

That's why homebuilt ROVs make such a great spectator sport!  Here are some good websites to get you started as a homebuilt ROV voyeur, or builder.  These sites have a number of pages of specifications and photos and make great reading.

Steve Thone's very interesting site documenting his series of homebuilt ROVs.  Well illustrated with 3d computer models and photos.  Also a number of links to other homebuilt rov websites.
http://www.homebuiltrovs.com

This project from has a number of photos showing the construction details:
http://www.angelfire.com/mech/homerov/

A nice-looking ROV from New Zealand.  There's not as much information about the design and construction but some actual photos of the vehicle in the water.
http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/%7elealand/subz/Rov2.htm

John Hyland's Microseeker, actually an AUV:
http://www.huv.com/uSeeker/index.html

An article from Underwater Magazine from 1999:
www.underwater.com/archives/arch/uw-fall99.03.shtml


LEGOs Mindstorms ROV:
Original paper describing a Mindstorms ROV (PDF document)
HTML Version of the paper (Brick-Labs.com)

Recommended Forum, which you'll need to join to read the postings:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/robotrov/

Researchers have returned from a seven day expedition exploring a large submerged ridge off the southwest coast of Florida, USA.   225 miles long and averaging 250 feet deep, this reef is mostly too deep to allow coral growth, however the southernmost 25 miles do have active coral growth making this the deepest reef in US waters.  The team of researchers from five marine organizations used a small submersible and an ROV along with mixed gas scuba divers.

Web article:
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/512963/ 

Deep reef "twilight" zones:
http://www.bishopmuseum.org/research/treks/palautz97/tz.html

Phoenix high school ROV team takes third place in 2005 competition.  This isn't as good as last year's first place finish but they again beat the MIT team. 

Web article...

Here's an inspirational story, not a lot of technical detail, on how a high school team from Phoenix, Arizona won a national ROV competition.

 Full story...

This is an older two page article about the two ROVs built for filming underwater for the film Titanic. They were designed and built by Dark Matter based in Santa Clarita, California and owned by Mike Cameron, brother of director James Cameron.

These are interesting vehicles to me because they used a very thin umbilical which is carried on a spool onboard the ROV itself.
Full story...

Delighted fishermen began singing the Beatles hit after netting a yellow minesweeping ROV which became detached from a British warship. Now they're holding it ransom for a salvage fee.

 Full story...

This was back in June, and now finally in exchange for a case of good whisky the ROV is back with the Navy:

Recovery by Royal Navy...

- larger image -	Ship of Gold in the Deep Blue Sea ASIN: 0375703373 Binding: Paperback List price: $15.95 USD

Category: treasure hunting

Boats: SS Central America is the main ship but there's a very capable ROV

Heroes: Tommy Thompson, engineer and leader of the whole adventure

Location: USA, Midwest and offshore East Coast

Synopsis: Highly recommended story of the very capable Tommy Thompson and his multi-year quest to find and recover the treasure of the Central America. Provides insight into modern treasure hunting including fund raising, and legal and engineering issues. There's not a great deal of technical detail on the ROV but I didn't miss it here.