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VideoRay Purchased for Homeland Security and Inspecting Underwater Crime Scenes - January 25, 2004

St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office Purchases Tiny Underwater Inspection Vehicle for Public Service – VideoRay ROV’s (Remotely Operated Vehicles) to be used in Minnesota’s Great Lakes Region 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 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.

About VideoRay:
With more than 2,000 Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) in service around the world, VideoRay has clearly become the global leader in Observation ROV technology. VideoRay is an extremely versatile, portable, affordable, and reliable solution for underwater operations including surveys, offshore inspections, search & recovery, homeland & port security, science & research, fish farming, and other unique applications in underwater environments. “Plug and play” technology allows you to quickly attach sensors and accessories in the field so you can successfully complete your mission. VideoRay is available on the General Services Administration.

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PRESS

WHY VIDEORAY?

AFFORDABILITY

With ROVs starting under $10,000 (in the US), the cost is quickly justified when compared to commercial dive missions or funding the purchase, mobilization, staffing, and operation of larger ROVs.

PORTABILITY

One person can transport the tiny 8-pound sub, control box and tether. The Scout system weighs less than 70 pounds and packs neatly in one rolling Pelican case. All other systems fit in two Pelican cases that can be transported in a car trunk or helicopter, or checked as airline baggage.

USABILITY

Driving the VideoRay is similar to operating a video game. A specially trained ROV pilot is not needed. (In fact, kids raised on video games routinely put adults to shame piloting VideoRay.). VideoRay is equally at home with a search and rescue team as it is with a yacht owner enjoying live views of a coral reef in St. Thomas. Additional controls on advanced models include front camera focus and tilt, rear camera selection and automatic depth holding (see the product detail pages for complete lists of features and capabilities of each model).

SAFETY

Since VideoRay uses less than 500 watts of power, a car or marine battery with inverter, small gasoline generator, or any 100-240 VAC outlet powers the control box and submersible. The current running through the tether to the submersible is a comparatively safe 48 VDC, rather than the possibly lethal 360-plus VDC used by other ROVs. This makes it safe for divers to handle the submersible in the water, and for kids to swim with it in a pool.

REACH

Standard tether lengths vary by model, but additional neutral, negative, and positively buoyant tethers can be added to extend the overall reach of the VideoRay up to 1,100 feet. Tethers are available in a variety of lengths to meet the needs of particular water conditions or projects.