Apparatuses for operating a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) over a communications network that includes at least one sparse datalink that hampers remotely controlling the ROV in real time or near real time. In some embodiments, remote operation of the ROV is enabled by locating a local awareness/autonomy edge-processing node on the ROV side of the sparse datalink(s) and configuring the local awareness/autonomy edge-processing node to provide the ROV with local control based on remote supervisory commands received over the sparse datalink(s). In some embodiments, the local awareness/autonomy edge-processing node maintains situational awareness information regarding the environment local to the ROV that autonomy algorithms on the local awareness/autonomy edge-processing node use in controlling the ROV to perform one or more tasks within the need for real time or near real time remote control. Related methods, software, and systems are also disclosed.