What Underwater Contracting does

Underwater Contracting Limited (UCO), founded in 2017 and headquartered in Aberdeen, Scotland, operates as a specialist provider of underwater ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) services and proprietary tooling across three primary verticals: aquaculture, renewable energy, and oil and gas. The company is part of the Ocean Marine Group alongside sister companies Pirie and Smith (marine consultancy established 1904) and ETPM Limited (marine recruitment). UCO employs between 11 and 50 people and maintains a fleet of over 15 observation-class ROV systems deployed across Scotland, Canada, and Europe, with active engagement in Mediterranean markets through regional distribution.

The company's technology portfolio centers on its patented FOOVER Mortality Recovery System, complemented by the NetFix net repair system, G-LANCE cage cleaning system, and an expanding set of proprietary accessories including Jet Boost thruster technology, the UCO Multiplexer, camera protection hoods, and a new topside controller. The FOOVER system has logged over 200,000 dives and is positioned as the leading ROV-based mortality removal solution in the UK aquaculture sector, delivering verified 100 percent mortality-free pens with visual confirmation. UCO integrates third-party ROV platforms (Saab Seaeye Falcon and Deep Trekker PIVOT) with its proprietary enhancements, most recently announcing the Falcon integration and ordering five additional PIVOT units.

UCO generates revenue across multiple streams: ROV equipment rental, professional services (mortality management, inspection, cleaning, site survey), proprietary equipment sales, exclusive HP WaterJet pump distribution, and licensing of its patented FOOVER technology to regional partners such as Aqua Vet in Greece and Cyprus. The go-to-market combines enterprise field sales with active participation in industry events including Subsea Expo, Aquafuture Spain, and Seafood Innovation. Led by Managing Director Michael (Mick) Bower, the company has demonstrated sustained operational momentum through a sequence of product launches and partnership announcements during 2025.

Name

Underwater Contracting

Legal name

Underwater Contracting Limited

Website

https://underwatercontracting.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Underwater Contracting Limited (UCO) provides ROV-based underwater services and proprietary tooling, including the patented FOOVER mortality recovery and NetFix net repair systems, for aquaculture, renewable energy, and oil and gas operators across Scotland, Canada, and Europe.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Underwater ROV Services & Equipment

NAICS

Aquaculture (11251), Support Activities for Water Transportation (4883), Commercial Air, Rail, and Water Transportation Equipment Rental and Leasing (532411)

SIC

Oil & Gas Field Services, Nec (1389), Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730)

akta.pro primary industry

Underwater Inspection, Maintenance & Repair (UWILD, Diving/ROV, In-water Cleaning) (IMAJAFAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Marine & Underwater Robotics (USVs/UUVs) (HDAAAIAH)

Keywords

• Underwater ROV services
• Aquaculture maintenance
• Subsea inspection
• ROV equipment rental
• Net repair systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Aberdeen

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. ROV Equipment Rental: UCO offers rental of ROV equipment including observation class ROVs, Deep Trekker PIVOT, and specialized systems like Foover. All rental ROVs are observation class suitable for monitoring, inspection, and surveying. Equipment can be rapidly mobilized to project sites.
2. ROV Services and Operations: Direct provision of ROV services including mortality management, inspection, site surveys, net repair, cleaning, and maintenance support. Services performed by trained technicians and operators at client sites in aquaculture, renewables, and oil & gas sectors.
3. Equipment Sales: Sale of proprietary underwater equipment including Foover systems, NetFix systems, HP pumps/washers, camera protection hoods, thrusters, and related accessories. Also includes sales of Saab Seaeye Falcon ROVs with UCO upgrades.
4. HP WaterJet System Sales and Rental: Exclusive provider of bespoke specification HP WaterJet pump systems for offshore/marine environments. Available for rental and sales with technician and support services.
5. Licensing of Patented Technology: UCO is the sole provider of the patented FOOVER system and licenses the technology to aquaculture operators. Regional licensing partners include Aqua Vet for Greece and Cyprus.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Underwater Contracting (UCO) provides underwater ROV-based services and proprietary tooling for aquaculture, renewables, and oil & gas operators across Scotland, Canada, and Europe. Core offerings include the patented FOOVER/FOOVER2 mortality recovery system, NetFix net repair system, G-Lance cage cleaning system, and a fleet of over 15 observation ROVs deployed for inspection, mortality management, site surveys, cleaning, and maintenance support. The company also designs, manufactures, and rents ROV equipment and accessories.

Product overview

Underwater Contracting (UCO) offers a portfolio of underwater ROV systems and proprietary tooling for aquaculture, renewables, and oil & gas industries. The core product portfolio centers on two proprietary patented systems: the Foover (FOOVER) and Foover2 mortality recovery systems for aquaculture, and the NetFix net repair system. These are complemented by ROV equipment (Saab Seaeye Falcon, Deep Trekker PIVOT), G-LANCE cage cleaning systems, HP pumps/washers, and various accessories (camera protection hoods, basket ranges). The company operates over 15 observation ROVs for services including inspection, survey, maintenance, and subsea cleaning. UCO also develops proprietary add-on technologies like Jet Boost technology and integrated multiplexers. The product architecture follows a systems approach where proprietary ROV-mounted tools (Foover, NetFix, G-LANCE) work with equipment platforms (Falcon, PIVOT) to deliver sector-specific services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• FOOVER: Patented FOOVER Mortality Recovery System - the number 1 ROV-based system in the UK for safe and easy mortality removal, with visual confirmation and recording facility. Proven with over 200,000+ dives.
• NETFIX
• G-LANCE
• Camera Protection Hoods

Products and services

• FOOVER Mortality Recovery System Patented ROV-based system for safe and easy mortality removal in aquaculture, providing visual confirmation and recording facility for verified 100% mortality-free pens on a daily basis. Proven with 200,000+ dives.
• Foover1 System Previous generation mortality recovery system mounted on Saab Seaeye Falcon. Can be detached allowing the Falcon to be used independently for inspection, survey or other work, functioning as a 2-in-1 power machine.
• Foover2 Mortality Recovery System Self-propelled collection basket and standalone autonomous unit, more compact and robust than Foover1, with patented technology. Capable of multiple daily dives with quick turnaround. Whole pens completed under an hour. Licensed to regional partners including Aqua Vet for Greece and Cyprus.
• NetFix Net Repair System Net repair solution with adaptable frame to suit any ROV, featuring reusable sustainable patches and pegs for instant temporary fix to net holes. Can be deployed by a single onsite employee without special launch equipment. Compatible with PIVOT and Foover systems.
• G-Lance Cage Cleaning System High pressure cleaning lance system for cage cleaning. Removes soft and hard marine growth without lifting collars, improving safety. Portable system operable from small vessels. Also used for feed pipes, mooring systems, and structural cleaning.
• HP WaterJet Pump Systems Exclusive agency for bespoke specification HP WaterJet pump systems designed for offshore/marine environment. Pump capacities up to 500Bar. Available for rental and sales with technician and support services.
• Camera Protection Hoods Protection hoods for ROV cameras that significantly reduce camera repairs. Adaptable to most ROV models, saving both clients and the company time and money on costly repairs.
• Observation ROV Services Fleet of over 15 Observation ROV systems for inspection, survey, and maintenance. Deployable from a range of vessels including CTV, workboats, SOV, and offshore construction vessels. Available for rental and operation across renewables, oil & gas, and aquaculture sectors.
• Site Surveys and Inspection Services Inspection, survey and maintenance activities with video recording and position system. Includes visual seabed surveys suitable for SEPA/SNH reporting, and visual support for grab sampling programmes.
• ROV Subsea Cleaning Services High pressure subsea cleaning service for feed pipes, hamster wheels, net corners, mooring systems, hull and structural cleaning. Ideal for ongoing subsea maintenance.

Quantifiable outcome

• Verified 100% mortality-free pens on daily basis with Foover2 system
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, regional and minor.

• Saab SeaeyecoreTechnology or Integration · 1 June 2025UCO integrates Saab Seaeye Falcon ROV with proprietary UCO systems including jet boost power system and UCO Multiplexer (releasing June 2025). Falcon is described as workhorse observation class ROV with 300m depth rating.
• Ocean Marine GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUCO is part of the Ocean Marine Group, a collective of independent operating companies providing specialist services in Marine, Subsea, and Recruitment industries. Sister companies include Pirie & Smith (marine consultancy since 1904) and ETPM Limited (marine recruitment). Common ownership provides access to a wealth of industry experience.
• Deep Trekker Inc.coreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner for PIVOT ROV systems. UCO integrates Deep Trekker PIVOT with proprietary enhancements including jet boost technology and NetFix frames. Company has ordered 5 more PIVOT machines to join fleet. PIVOT offers 305m depth rating, HD rotating camera, and field swap batteries.
• UK Pump ManufacturercoreTechnology or IntegrationExclusive provider of HP WaterJet pump systems from UK manufacturer. Pumps proven for use in aquaculture with capacities up to 500Bar.
• Aqua VetregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional partner for Foover systems in Greece and Cyprus. Provides local information and support for customers in those markets.
• Salmon ScotlandminorOthersIndustry association relationship. Operations & Communications Coordinator Kate Archer met with Salmon Scotland CEO Tavish Scott at Global Underwater Hub to discuss sector challenges, innovations and future opportunities.
• Global Underwater HubminorOthersIndustry organization that organizes Subsea Expo and provides platform for industry networking and visibility. UCO participates in events and receives media coverage through this association.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Deep Trekker: Canadian manufacturer of portable observation ROVs (including the PIVOT model that UCO integrates). They are a technology partner but increasingly positioned in the same aquaculture inspection market.

Direct peers

• ScaleAQ: Norwegian aquaculture equipment and service company supplying underwater cameras, ROVs, sea lice removal systems, and net cleaning solutions to salmon farmers. Closely overlaps with UCO's NetFix, G-Lance and ROV inspection offerings.
• Akva Group: Norwegian-listed aquaculture technology and service supplier offering ROVs, sensors, and farm management solutions. Directly comparable to UCO as a vertically integrated equipment-and-services provider serving the same salmon farming customers.
• ROVOP: UK-based specialist provider of ROV services to the offshore energy sector, including inspection, survey, and IMR support. Directly comparable to UCO's renewables and oil & gas inspection work.
• M2 Subsea: Provider of subsea ROV and intervention services to the offshore oil & gas and renewables industries. Operates in the same UK/North Sea market as UCO's O&G and renewables divisions.
• Imenco: Norwegian provider of underwater cameras, lighting, ROV systems, and aquaculture monitoring solutions. Competes with UCO on the hardware-and-imaging stack for fish-farm and subsea inspection.
• AquaServ Group: European provider of aquaculture services and diving/ROV support to fish farms. Direct competitor in the same mortality management, net inspection, and underwater maintenance space as UCO.

Broad incumbents

• Helix Energy Solutions: Large subsea well intervention and ROV provider operating globally with offshore oil & gas and renewables exposure. Overlaps with UCO's IMR/inspection capabilities at a much larger scale.
• Saab Seaeye: Global market leader in electric observation and intervention ROVs (Falcon, Leopard, Tiger). Partner for UCO but also a broad incumbent in the same ROV-enabled underwater inspection category.

Others

• Pirie & Smith: Sister company under Ocean Marine Group offering marine consultancy since 1904. Adjacent to UCO via shared ownership and access to marine survey/inspection expertise.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/underwater-contracting-ltd-uco

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Underwater Contracting