Phoenixville, PA - Attendees at the Miami International Boat show, which was held at the Miami Beach Convention Center February 14-18, 2008, couldn't help but wonder what all the commotion was about in the West Marine booth. When they made it through the crowd of gawkers, they were confronted with an impressive 3,000 gallon custom built display tank. As the onlookers gazed through the large windows of the tank, VideoRay ROVs (remotely operated vehicles) were there to greet them. Adults and children alike were amazed at the technology they were confronted with, and when they were allowed to fly the ROV around the tank, they couldn't help but smile.
The live VideoRay ROV display was part of West Marine's 2008 new product showcase. It gave potential customers the chance to experience flying an ROV and interact with VideoRay and West Marine staff who were on hand throughout the entire show. After experiencing the VideoRay, it wasn't hard for attendees to realize the potential applications of such a product. Boat safety was the biggest realization as the ROV makes a perfect tool for hull inspections, propellor inspections, diver monitoring, and mooring line and anchor stability observation - all capable of being executed without getting wet! Another obvious application realized by the excited show attendees was a certain entertainment value- being able to observe the reef, shipwrecks, and local marine life all from the comfort of their cabin!
West Marine began selling VideoRay ROVs in November of 2007. Two of their superstores in Ft. Lauderdale, FL and San Diego, CA have live point of purchase displays. You can visit them online at www.westmarine.com or by calling 1-800-BOATING.
ABOUT WEST MARINE
West Marine, the country's favorite retailer of boating supplies and accessories, has 380 West Marine stores in 38 states, Puerto Rico and Canada. The Company’s catalog and Internet channels offer customers approximately 50,000 products - far more than any competitor - and the convenience of exchanging catalog and Internet purchases at its retail stores. The Company's Port Supply division is one of the country's largest wholesale distributors of marine equipment serving boat manufacturers, marine services, commercial vessel operators and government agencies.
ABOUT VIDEORAY
VideoRay now has far more Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) in service around the world than any manufacturer, and is delivering additional ROVs at an increasing rate. Weighing just 8 pounds and starting at $5995 USD, VideoRays can be equipped with video cameras, sonar, positioning systems or other accessories, and are used for underwater surveys, offshore inspections, search and recovery, homeland defense, science, fish farming and a range of applications in underwater environments.
For further information:
Brian Luzzi brian.luzzi@videoray.com
Sales & Marketing Coordinator
VideoRay LLC
Phone: 610.458.3000 x210
www.videoray.com |
3,000 gallon VideoRay display tank in the West Marine "pod" booth at the 2008 Miami International Boat Show
Young boat show attendee in awe of the maneuverable ROV
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