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New Video Shows New Underwater Search for Teen In Pactola Reservoir - July 31, 2000

Swimming Video Camera Explores Shadows, Areas Divers Can’t Reach, to Help Close Search for Josh Haugen

VideoRay Inc. announced today that a new video is available free to professionals and volunteers who are involved with search and rescue missions. The video details the use of VideoRay ROV (remotely operated vehicle) on a search mission for 17-year old Josh Haugen this year. On June 4, 1999, Josh fell off a watercraft in Pactola Reservoir near Rapid City South Dakota and has never been found. VideoRay was used by local authorities as a new search and rescue tool that is an alternative to sending divers in the water and risking lives in treacherous conditions.

During the all-day searches in April this year, three VideoRays were run from land and boat to cover 800 square meters of lake floor, which is littered with 20-foot trees and jagged rocks. Covering the area in overlapping grids, VideoRay worked in tandem with a scanning sonar to comb shadows and rock beds. As the sonar found targets, VideoRay was sent in to explore. See maps of the area and more details on the mission to find Josh Haugen at www.videoray.com

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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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.