a. a mechanical gripper jaw;

b. a motor;

c. a torque controller operative on both jaw force and rotary actuation torque, the torque controller operatively in communication with the motor;

d. a cathodic protection (CP) probe disposed on the mechanical gripper jaw;

e. a tool interface configured to selectively receive and/or discharge a tool selected from a plurality of tools, the tool interface operatively connected to the motor;

f. a power source operatively in communication with the plurality of tools, the torque controller, and the motor; and

g. an interface to a manipulator operatively connected the underwater vehicle, the underwater vehicle comprising an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV), an autonomous work vehicle (AWV), or a standard remotely operated vehicle (ROV).