Mini
Swimming Video Camera Captures Views Inside Sunken USS Arizona Battleship;
Places Not Seen Since WWII
Sized Slightly Larger than a
Shoebox, VideoRay ROV Sneaked through Portholes, Air Ducts, Manholes
on National Geographic Expedition
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Exton, PA, May 24, 2001 - VideoRay ROV, the 8-pound swimming video
camera, was a key tool last September during the internal survey
of the sunken USS Arizona WWII battleship in Pearl Harbor,
HI. Sized slightly larger than a shoebox, VideoRay ROV sneaked through
portholes, air ducts, manholes, and openings created by bomb blasts
to bring back data and images from the USS Arizona's interior.
This summer, VideoRay ROVs will continue explorations of the USS
Arizona, USS Utah, and other submerged structures in Pearl Harbor
tended by the National Park Service.
VideoRay Vice President Bob Christ worked with the National Geographic
Society and the National Park Service to survey the structural integrity
of the rapidly disintegrating interior and locate the source of
oil leaking since WWII. Tiny and maneuverable, VideoRay ROV was
identified as the only piece of equipment that would be small enough
not to disturb the archeological integrity of the wreck and fit
into even the most confined places.
"I flew the ROV into the cabin," Christ said. "I could see the
writing on the paper diagrams on the desk and was able to gently
set the VideoRay down for a closer look." The thrust of the 8-pound
sub was so slight that it did not stir up sediment that would impair
visibility. Unlike a diver's fins, the submersible's small thrusters
did not disturb fragile items exposed to the elements. At one point
as Christ "flew" the VideoRay down a hallway in the USS Arizona,
he was accompanied by a survivor from the Arizona disaster who was
watching the monitor from the monument.
"I couldn't help but get a lump in my throat watching this man,"
said Christ. "He was revisiting another era in time through the
eyes of the VideoRay." Interview Bob Christ for other comments about
the expedition by calling 610-458-3002 or cell 610-547-4185.
The June 2001 issue of National Geographic magazine included
the story of the legendary battleship and showed the VideoRay ROV
exploring the internal staterooms and structures of the USS Arizona.
The photos captured by National Geographic of the USS Arizona
are among the first pictures inside of the battleship since 1943.
This year marks the 60th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Photographs On-line;
Documentary During Memorial Day Weekend
See photos of VideoRay inside the USS Arizona on the National
Geographic web site at:
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0106/feature5/zoom2.html
and
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0106/feature5/zoom4.html
A two-hour TV special on Sunday, May 27th, called "Legacy of Attack"
will tell the story of the USS Arizona. See the National
Geographic documentary on the National Geographic channel and NBC
stations. The special commemorates the 60th anniversary of Pearl
Harbor. On the Web, see http://plasma.nationalgeographic.com/pearlharbor/
VideoRay LLC
400 Eagleview Boulevard
Exton, PA 19341 USA
Telephone +1 610 458 3000
Fax +1 610 458 3010
Info@videoray.com
www.videoray.com
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