Retired Navy Engineer Takes Visitors on Under Sea Tour

James D. Jones, a retired U.S. Navy nuclear submarine propulsion specialist, has continued to indulge his underwater passions with the help of a VideoRay. Jones and his family run North Atlantic Undersea Tour and Inspection Charters, or NAUTIC Video, out of Orrs Island, Maine. Aboard the Sharon Ann (a 34 foot Wilbur “Lobster Yacht”), Captain Jones welcomes all those interested in capturing a glimpse of Casco Bay, both above and below the surface. Without getting wet, passengers will delight in the sights and sounds of the surrounding ocean in this fun and educational environment.

As a former lobster catcher and long time resident of the area, Jones is no stranger to the undersea kingdom he so vividly brings to life for his customers. A variety of onboard cameras enable passengers to view underwater creatures undisturbed in their natural habitats while Jones points out familiar landmarks and marine mammals above the surface. For those aural learners aboard the vessel, Captain Jones is happy to describe in real-time what exactly is being viewed underwater.

Jones has recently made VideoRay a fixture on the Sharon Ann to add to the enjoyment and education of those he hosts. The VideoRay also serves as an important aspect of the inspection end of NAUTIC Video’s offerings. Jones and his crew will use the versatile VideoRay to inspect your lobster traps, scan your ship’s hull, or give you a heads up on the current activity in your favorite fishing area. After the inspection, you will receive your video footage on a DVD to replay at your leisure. You can find some of the amazing footage captured by VideoRay at their website; http://www.nauticvideo.com/video%20clips.shtml .

NAUTIC Video’s charter season runs from June through September with both morning and afternoon expeditions. Up to 6 passengers can choose from 4 hour or 8 hour inshore runs, or an 8 hour offshore run. An inshore run is anywhere up to 10 miles from the dock. Captain Jones and his crew especially welcome corporate retreats, honeymooners, and families with small children by offering discounts for these types of parties. For more information about current rates, booking a reservation, or NAUTIC Video contacts, visit www.nauticvideo.com .

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 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. The General Services Administration (GSA) awarded VideoRay a contract to supply vehicles to the US government, making it easier and faster for many agencies to acquire one. See http://www.videoray.com/GSA for more information.