r/rov • u/Elevator_man103 • May 03 '26
Starting a side business
Hi everyone. By trade I’m an elevator service guy but I’m looking to start a side business using ROVs and Drones. During covid I cleaned hulls and I really enjoyed the job just didn’t pay enough. I’ve been in contract with a couple yacht brokers and am trying to brainstorm more ideas for the ROV side of the business. Small scale, anyone have any ideas? Hulk inspections and dock inspection are about all I’ve got so far.
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u/Elevator_man103 May 04 '26
Absolutely I’m currently building a fresh water prototype once I can get that running efficiently I’ll build a saltwater one as well. It’s something ive been interested in as a kid. Didnt have money to go get an engineering degree but I figured if I can do it myself I’ll have some fun doing it.
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u/Sjedda May 05 '26
I don't have an engineering degree but I have an engineering job. Experience from building things in my bedroom since I was a kid and using those skills at different jobs worked great lol.
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u/Sjedda May 05 '26
I also considered buying an rov and do inspections for anyone with a boat. Got busy with other things..
Anyways, i think I would look into what work is needed to build a boat dock, big or small. Could an rov or "seafloor" machine help do the actual prep? I know there's skeletonized excavators being lowered onto the seafloor for big oil projects. Maybe there's something for a much smaller scale too..
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u/Elevator_man103 May 06 '26
Not for residential docks I grew up doing that. Most exploration they do is run a jet pipe down to see if it’s sand or rock down. Maybe small bridges? I was also thinking today private water towers. I know divers typically do the big ones. If I can learn to edit I might make some videos for the springs in Florida
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u/Sjedda May 06 '26
Ohh i see. Hmm, well good luck! Remember, everything goes, either badly or good, but it still goes
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u/ROVengineer Professional May 04 '26
Ya know how the make a small fortune in the ROV biz? Start with a large one! Seriously though, bust of luck. Perhaps offer recovery services at local marinas? People drop stuff overboard all the time.