Made Under Pressure: Part II — Inside Banergy's Second BROVX Operator Certification Program

 4th May 2026

“The universe was not born of chance, but of Dakshata & Prastuti united” 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

From 4th–8th May 2026, Banergy conducted the second edition of Made Under Pressure, an intensive BROVX Operator Certification Program for a newly inducted batch of personnel from the 2nd Battalion NDRF, West Bengal. Organized into 13 syndicates of three trainees each, the program combined classroom instruction, standardized ROTOPS procedures, pool-based practical sessions, and live deployments in the Hooghly River to prepare participants for real-world underwater operations. Through rigorous practical and written assessments, the course strengthened operator proficiency in BROVX, Imaging Sonar, and Single Beam Echosounder systems while reinforcing the operational discipline required for underwater inspection, search, recovery, and intervention missions. The successful execution of the program was made possible through the exceptional cooperation and logistical support provided by the 2nd Battalion, NDRF West Bengal, whose commitment to advancing underwater search and recovery capabilities continues to set a strong benchmark for operational excellence.

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Day One: Building the foundation

The second edition of Made Under Pressure began in the classroom, welcoming an entirely new batch of NDRF responders to the BROVX Operator Certification Program. The objective remained the same as the inaugural course, to establish a standardized operational framework before participants entered the water.

The batch was divided into 13 syndicates, each consisting of three cadets, allowing instructors to monitor individual performance while encouraging teamwork throughout the certification process.

The morning sessions introduced participants to ROTOPS (Robot Training and Operating Procedures Standardization), covering the BROVX ecosystem, vehicle architecture, mission planning, operational philosophy, safety procedures, emergency protocols, and deployment workflows. Operators were also familiarized with the capabilities and applications of the Imaging Sonar and Single Beam Echosounder, understanding how these systems complement underwater visual feedback during search operations.

Throughout the classroom sessions, instructors encouraged cadets to actively engage in discussions, raise operational queries, and clarify any uncertainties regarding the platform, procedures, and mission workflows. These interactive sessions ensured that every participant developed a clear understanding of the concepts before progressing to practical training. Before practical deployment, every syndicate participated in dry testing exercises, allowing them to become familiar with the vehicle, tether management, communication systems, and operational workflow.

A significant portion of the day was dedicated to the BROVX Pre-Dive & Post-Dive Checklist. Rather than treating it as a procedural requirement, instructors ensured every participant understood and memorized each inspection step before progressing to practical operations, reinforcing that operational discipline begins before the vehicle enters the water.

In the evening, training shifted to the swimming pool, where syndicates conducted their first underwater deployments in a controlled environment. These exercises focused on basic vehicle handling, communication, recovery procedures, and developing operator confidence before advancing to more demanding operational conditions.

Day Two: Qualification & Operational Readiness

With the fundamentals established, the second day focused on evaluating procedural competency.

Each syndicate underwent a practical assessment based entirely on the Pre-Dive & Post-Dive Checklist, demonstrating their ability to correctly prepare, inspect, deploy, recover, and secure the BROVX system without instructor assistance.

Every team was scored and ranked according to operational accuracy, adherence to procedures, teamwork, and overall readiness.

The assessment served as a qualification stage before participants were permitted to operate in real-world environments. Only syndicates that demonstrated consistency and procedural discipline progressed to the next phase of the certification program.

The day's evaluations reinforced one of the program's core principles: successful underwater operations begin with standardized procedures long before deployment.

Day Three: Into the Hooghly

Training transitioned from controlled environments into one of eastern India's most challenging operational waterways, the Hooghly River.

Unlike the swimming pool, the Hooghly presented strong currents, changing river conditions, and near-zero underwater visibility, closely replicating the environments encountered during real underwater search and recovery missions.

Before every deployment, each syndicate completed the full Pre-Dive Checklist, prepared their Inflatable Rescue Boats (IRBs), and launched the BROVX directly from the boats. Initial exercises were conducted close to the shoreline before gradually progressing to deeper operational areas farther into the river.

This phase also marked the introduction of sonar operations under real-world conditions.

Participants learned to operate the Single Beam Echosounder to determine water depth while simultaneously utilizing the Imaging Sonar to scan the riverbed and identify underwater structures and potential targets where camera visibility alone was insufficient.

The exercises demonstrated how sonar becomes an operator's primary source of underwater awareness when environmental conditions limit conventional visual navigation.

Day Four: Final Operational Assessment

With classroom learning and field exercises complete, participants entered the final practical evaluation phase of the certification program.

Each syndicate was required to independently perform the complete operational workflow without instructor intervention.

From equipment preparation and completion of the Pre-Dive Checklist to safe deployment, sonar operation, riverbed scanning, communication procedures, and execution of the Post-Dive Checklist, every stage was assessed according to the ROTOPS operational standard.

During the assessment, operators were required to evaluate the deployment location, report the river depth using the Single Beam Echosounder, conduct systematic riverbed scans using the Imaging Sonar, and demonstrate effective interpretation of sonar imagery while maintaining proper operational discipline throughout the mission.

The examination evaluated not only technical proficiency but also teamwork, communication, situational awareness, and confidence under operational pressure.

Day Five: Certification Complete

The remaining syndicates completed their final operational assessments in the field, demonstrating the complete deployment workflow under real-world conditions. Each team was evaluated on its ability to follow the standardized ROTOPS procedures, execute the Pre-Dive and Post-Dive Checklists, safely deploy the BROVX system, determine water depth, and conduct systematic riverbed scanning using the onboard sonar systems.

Following the completion of the field examinations, all participants returned to the classroom for a final debriefing session. Instructors reviewed the week's training, discussed common observations from the practical assessments, clarified operational concepts, and addressed questions raised by the cadets before the certification process concluded.

The program concluded with the ROTOPS Written Certification Examination, covering operational procedures, vehicle systems, safety standards, sonar fundamentals, emergency response, maintenance protocols, and mission planning. To successfully qualify as a certified BROVX Operator, participants were required to achieve a minimum passing score of 92%, reflecting the high standards expected of operators entrusted with underwater search and recovery missions.

As the certification came to a close, several participants successfully met both the practical and theoretical requirements, while others were encouraged to continue strengthening their knowledge and operational skills before qualifying. The objective was never simply to complete a course, but to ensure that every certified operator possesses the competence, discipline, and confidence required to safely deploy underwater robotic systems in mission-critical environments.

Advancing Underwater Search & Recovery

The successful completion of the second edition of Made Under Pressure further reinforces Banergy's commitment to building standardized underwater robotic capabilities for India's emergency response forces. Through structured classroom instruction, practical deployments, and rigorous operational assessments, the program continues to prepare operators for the demanding conditions encountered during real-world underwater search and recovery missions.

The continued support and collaboration of the 2nd Battalion, NDRF West Bengal, played a vital role throughout the certification program. Their operational experience, professionalism, and commitment to adopting emerging technologies created an ideal environment for practical training, enabling every syndicate to gain valuable hands-on experience under realistic deployment conditions.

By combining standardized operating procedures with advanced underwater robotics and sonar technologies, Banergy and the NDRF are working together to strengthen operational readiness, improve mission effectiveness, and build a new generation of certified BROVX operators prepared for challenges beneath the surface.

"Pressure doesn't create professionals, it reveals the discipline built through preparation. Every deployment, every checklist, and every lesson learned brings us one step closer to saving lives beneath the surface."