VideoRay Purchased for Homeland Security and Inspecting Underwater Crime Scenes in Minnesota’s Great Lakes Region

St. Louis County Sheriff's Office Purchases Tiny Underwater Inspection Vehicle for Public Service

Exton, PA, January 25, 2004 – The St. Louis County Sheriff's Office and Sheriff's Volunteer Rescue Squad may be new to the world of ROVs (remotely operated vehicles) but not new to the world of human body and evidence recovery in underwater settings. VideoRay announced today that the St. Louis County Sheriff's Office has purchased a VideoRay to help in search and recovery efforts of drowning victims, documenting underwater crime scenes, and as part of a Homeland Security program for the State of Minnesota. The Office purchased the VideoRay through a Homeland Security grant with the State of Minnesota.

The VideoRay Pro II model purchased includes a SeaSprite sonar that can help navigate debris fields or submerged cars in poor visibility conditions. The 8-pound VideoRay is equipped with a video eye that sends a live feed to an operator who is on the dock or a boat.

“ We are honored to be part of the technology that’s working for homeland defense at the local and national level, in the US and many other countries,” says Scott Bentley, president of VideoRay. “Officials are equipping themselves with VideoRays for underwater emergencies, inspections, and searches.”

According to David Phillips, Undersheriff at the St. Louis County Sheriff's Office, the VideoRay was chosen for its affordability and the high quality of its equipment. Phillips said it was important that the ROV chosen was portable, easily operated, and affordably maintained.

“ St. Louis County has approximately 840 lakes and the Port of Duluth on Lake Superior. We never know where or when we may be conducting a search, so we needed to be able to easily transport the unit,” says Phillips. “Our research into ROVs also indicated that the VideoRay units perform well in cold water environments and under ice.”
“ The VideoRay also gives us the capability to add accessories that we will utilize in Homeland Security applications,” says Phillips, who states that four members of the staff are currently trained to operate the VideoRay. Training was provided at the VideoRay International Partner Symposium (VIPS), an annual event held in November. Several other staff from the sheriff’s office will be trained in coming months.

For more information, contact: David Phillips, Undersheriff, St. Louis County Sheriff's Office
Duluth, MN, PH: 218-726-2339, e-mail: phillipsd@co.st-louis.mn.us

Contact VideoRay LLC • 400 Eagleview Blvd. • Exton, PA 19341 USA • Phone: (610) 458-3000 • FAX: (610) 458-3010 • www.videoray.com

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