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Warren County, Pennsylvania Puts Robotic Camera Training to Use Within a Week - October 22, 2009

VideoRay ROV underwater camera locates drowning victim, allowing rapid and safe recovery

The coincidence was both sad and eerie. Glade Volunteer Fire Department first responders returned to the waters of Kinzua Reservoir, only a mile from where they had trained the previous weekend. Eighteen year old David Sarber had drowned just hours before in a tragic canoe accident. He was attempting to retrieve a canoe which had blown away from the shore

The first step in retrieving this victim would be to use side scan sonar to determine possible locations, then deploy divers in the frigid water to check them out. Depending on the size of the search area and the number of targets, this process can take many hours or days, and is dangerous, tedious, and exhausting.

In this case, following procedures they had practiced the previous weekend, they found the victim within two hours, confirming the location and marking it with the camera. The diver spent only a few minutes in the water. He used the VideoRay’s tether to find the exact location, and its lights for illumination of the retrieval process.

“I’m proud of the team, and we’re happy that the equipment and procedures worked the way they are supposed to.” Said Terry Carlson, Glade VFD Fire Chief, “These kind of accidents are always tragic and heartbreaking, but at least we did what we could, and did it rapidly and safely.”

Glade VFD is located in Warren County, Northwestern Pennsylvania. The camera was purchased through the Department of Homeland Security Region II Emergency Response Group. Glade VFD provides fire and rescue services to Glade Township and Water Rescue Services to all of Warren County with an all volunteer membership.

READ THE INCIDENT REPORT HERE

About VideoRay:
With more than 1,950 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.