Understand buoyancy before you build.
Explore how mass, displaced water, density and simplified hull geometry affect floating and submerged vehicles. Use the calculators to generate hypotheses for simulation—not to approve a real vessel or ROV.
ROV buoyancy
Archimedes principle: buoyant force = water density × gravity × displaced volume. A positive net force indicates upward force in this static model.
Ship draft approximation
Estimate displaced volume from vessel mass and water density, then approximate draft using waterline length × beam × assumed block coefficient.
Model output
Model limitations and safety
These are introductory hydrostatic calculations. They do not model stability, center of gravity/buoyancy, trim, free-surface effects, compressibility, dynamic waves, hull deformation, watertight integrity, tether loads, damage stability or regulations. The block coefficient is assumed constant. For real craft, obtain qualified naval architecture review, physical testing and appropriate safety procedures.
Recommended references: NIST SI units, ArduSub underwater vehicle documentation, and ROV inspection capstone.