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VideoRay ROV Performed Initial Survey On M/V Catalyn B Wreck - January 12, 2010

Global salvage leader T & T Bisso Marine Salvage ROV Pilot Don Draper surveys sunken vessel.

The M/V Catalyn B, which was carrying 59 passengers and 14 crew members, sank off Limbones Island (approximately 30 km south of Manilla) on the night of Dec. 24, 2009 following a collision with the steel-hulled fishing boat Anatalya in approximately 200 feet of water.

Through a joint effort from the Phillipine Coast Guard and global salvage and response leader T&T Bisso and their Malaysian salvage counterpart, the vessel was located and initial survey operations were undertaken with the help of a VideoRay Pro 3 GTO ROV system.

The VideoRay ROV was operated by T & T’s ROV Pilot Don Draper who has extensive experience operating this vehicle. Mr. Draper was able to quickly locate key entry points to the sunken vessel with the ROV to assist the Coast Guard divers in the recovery of the victims.

To date all but two of the victims have been recovered.

VIEW THE NATIONAL GMA NEWS VIDEO – DON DRAPER INTERVIEW HERE

VISIT T & T BISSO HERE

About T & T Bisso:

Through a strong cooperative relationship between T&T MARINE SALVAGE, founded in 1957, and BISSO MARINE COMPANY, founded in 1890, T&T BISSO was formed as a standalone company designed to focus on responding to the emergency & salvage needs of the maritime, shipping and offshore energy industries. T&T BISSO controls one of the largest fleets of floating salvage assets and portable salvage equipment in the United States.

T&T BISSO operates one of the most extensive response networks in the world. Positioned throughout the United States & its territories, T&T BISSO owns and maintains fast response firefighting systems, inert gas generators, nitrogen generators, Ship to Ship (STS) pumping and lightering systems and diving systems, all of which are transportable via air. Also available is a substantial heavy lift and wreck removal capacity coupled with an extensive array of salvage vessels and salvage support equipment.

Our global team of over 600 strong is a collection of world renowned Salvage Masters, Extra & Master Mariners, Salvage & Marine Engineers, Naval Architects, Diving Experts, Firefighting experts, Pumping and Lightering experts; all ready to respond to the challenges which face our customers.

VIEW THE NATIONAL GMA NEWS VIDEO – DON DRAPER INTERVIEW HERE

VISIT T & T BISSO HERE

Don Draper

T & T ROV Pilot Don Draper With A VideoRay Pro 3 GTO ROV

T&T GTO

T & T’s VideoRay Pro 3 GTO ROV In Galveston, Texas

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.