Deadly Dives

"Alert Diver" Magazine Highlights Role of ROVs in Hazardous Environments

Excerpted from "Alert Diver," the Magazine of Divers Alert Network May / June 2004 Issue "Deadly Dives", page 26 www.diversalertnetwork.org

"If life-endangering water conditions are discovered at a requested dive site -- whether their nature is biological, currents or obstructions, for example -- a mission determination favors the life of the diver. In some cases, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) can be used to photograph and even retrieve recovery items. This was the case when the ATF Dive Team investigated fires that burned the boats of President-elect George W. Bush and Secretary of Commerce designate Don Evans the night Bush's election was confirmed in December 2000."

"The team was dispatched after ATF's Houston Field Division requested assistance with its fire investigation. Initial dives proved the area was too hazardous for safe diving. The team then used an underwater ROV with scanning sonar capabilities to identify and recover wreckage. Recovered evidence proved the use of an accelerant and led to the arrest and conviction of an arson suspect."