VideoRay
ROV Travels aboard the Research Vessel Odyssey Exploring World's
Oceans
8-Pound Swimming Video Camera
Captures Unique Underwater Perspectives; See Daily Logs and Video
Footage of "The Voyage of the Odyssey" at PBS Online
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Exton, PA., September 4, 2001 - The VideoRay ROV (remotely operated
vehicle) is onboard the ninety-three foot research vessel Odyssey
as a key piece of scientific equipment during a five year tour of
the world's equatorial oceans. Weighing just 8-pounds, the VideoRay
ROV submersible is deployed and operated by just one person from
the Odyssey or dingy. Connected to a video monitor, the ROV provides
the pilot on deck with a clear view of "places and situations
that would be difficult if not impossible for a diver," according
to the daily log entries by Genevieve and Chris Johnson at www.pbs.org/odyssey.
"[Using the VideoRay], we will attempt to capture on film,
with minimal interference, imagery that is typically inaccessible
to a human cameraperson, whether this be a shark feeding frenzy
on a carcass or interactions between marine creatures in their natural
environment," according to Johnson's log. The Odyssey crew
will also use the VideoRay ROV as a back up to divers working in
difficult situations.
The Voyage of the Odyssey is a five-year program conducted by Ocean
Alliance to gather the first ever baseline data on the levels of
synthetic contaminants in the oceans. The primary study species
for this voyage of discovery are whales that Ocean Alliance believes
serve as flagships for the health and well being of the oceans.
"Very few divers dive below 200 feet, when they do it is with
considerable risk," Johnson explains. "At this depth divers
typically use mixed gases not available on the Odyssey. The size,
speed and agility of the VideoRay ROV mean that there are few restrictions
to the dive location, duration, and depth. These exceptional capabilities
will open up a whole new area of observation for the Odyssey crew."
The operator can monitor the depth gauge and compass reading directly
from the control panel while seeing live video. The ROV is portably
powered and controlled from the surface through a tether line, from
250 to 500 feet in length. The ROV is equipped with two lights,
three thrusters and a forward facing camera. This miniature video
camera tilts 75 degrees up or down and is housed in a marine grade
aluminum body.
More about VideoRay
Our mission at VideoRay is to make ROVs more accessible to more
people who want to explore and capture the undersea world on video.
A breakthrough tool for underwater projects, VideoRay ROV is significantly
lighter, less expensive, and more maneuverable and compact than
other remotely operated vehicles. With a tether up to 500 feet,
portable power, and a weight of just 8 pounds, VideoRay helps you
expand the range of underwater studies. Safely operated and transported
by a single person, VideoRay is the ROV you have been waiting for.
More about Ocean Alliance
The Ocean
Alliance is a non-profit organization dedicated to rigorous
scientific research in conjunction with global education in order
to improve people's appreciation for, and understanding of the ocean
environment and the creatures within it, and to contribute to the
conservation of whales. See video and learn more about the project
at http://www.pbs.org/odyssey/daily_photo.html
For comments, contact Iain Kerr, Ocean Alliance CEO; 191 Weston
Road, Lincoln, MA 01773
e-mail: question@oceanalliance.org;
ph: (781) 259-0423 x15
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