Digital innovation for Italian Marine Protected Areas: ROV training successfully completed

Advanced training courses on ROV piloting and environmental survey using the VideoRay Defender and the Modular Pro Extension by 3D Research were completed in early May as part of the Italy’s Marine Protected Areas digitalization program funded through the PNRR (National Recovery and Resilience Plan). The initiative supports the deployment of ROV systems for the monitoring, protection, and management of marine ecosystems.

Launched in December 2025, the training program included five advanced 40-hours courses held across the regional hubs of Milazzo, Ischia, Levanto, Pineto, and Olbia. The program was designed to provide operational expertise in the use of ROV systems for marine inspection, environmental monitoring and survey activities within Italy’s Marine Protected Areas. 

The courses also involved participants from a wide range of institutions engaged in marine conservation, management, and research, including Guardia di Finanza, Coast Guard Authorities, Guardia Forestale, universities, the National Research Council (CNR), ISPRA, the Ministry of Environment and Energy Security (MASE), and other regional stakeholders connected to the activities of the MPAs.

The courses combined classroom instructions with hands-on field sessions, covering operation of VideoRay Defender ROV, integration and use of the Modular Pro Extension system by 3D Research (equipped with the BlueDepth3D multicamera system), as well as piloting procedures, mission planning, optical and acoustic environmental data acquisition, and operational best practices for deploying underwater vehicles in real-world scenarios. 

Training was delivered by Umberto Severino, Rocco Depietra, and Francesco Buffone from 3D Research in collaboration with Mauro Stasi from iROV, who previously coordinated ROV operations during the salvage of the cruise ship Costa Concordia, which sank off Isola del Giglio in 2012. The partnership with iROV further strengthened the program by bringing expertise gained from highly specialized and complex ROV operations.

The completion of the courses marks an important step forward in the digital transformation and operational strengthening of Italy’s Marine Protected Areas, promoting the adoption of advanced technologies and specialized skills for the sustainable management of marine ecosystems. 

The initiative was carried out within the framework of Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), under Mission 2 “Green Revolution and Ecological Transition” , Component 4 “Protection of Land and Water Resources,” Measure 3 “Safeguarding air quality and biodiversity through the protection of green areas, soil, and marine environments,” Investment 3.2 “Digitalization of National Parks and Marine Protected Areas.”