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Moray First Marine Uses VideoRay ROV Technology To Save North Sea Windfarm Time and Money - March 31, 2011

Scotland Based Moray First Marine Recovers Survey Equipment with VideoRay Pro 3 GTO ROV

Moray First Marine, a marine company based out of Lossiemouth, on the Moray Firth in Scotland recently was successful in locating and recovering lost recording equipment, including a 170kg (375 lbs.) ground weight, in 54 metres (177 feet) of sea water from the Moray Firth, a triangular inlet of the North Sea, north and east of Inverness.

This was achieved using a Videoray Pro 3 GTO ROV fitted with a three jaw grabber and a Tritech Micron Sonar. The recording equipment was lifted onto Moray First’s survey/ workboat MV Solstice. The ROV Operation saved £1000s for their client, pleasing them that a more expensive dive team was not necessary, gained the ‘lost’ data, and proved itself for further recovery operations. It is now planned for further use where Acoustic Releases are not available or for when they fail.

Moray First Marine
Contact:
Bill Ruck
bill@moraymarine.com

For VideoRay ROV Inquiries in the UK / North Sea area:
Contact:
Buccaneer Ltd
Ian MacDonald
info@buccaneer-ltd.co.uk

Buccaneer Ltd

Buccaneer Ltd

Recovered Recorders and VideoRay GTO

The recovered recorders with the VideoRay GTO on the deck of the MV Solstice Photo: Moray First Marine

Recovered Recorders and VideoRay GTO

Moray’s VideoRay Pro 3 GTO with grabber arm, scanning sonar, and protective cage displayed with the recovered data recorders. Photo: Moray First Marine

MV Solstice

Moray First Marine’s vessel MV Solstice. Photo: Moray First Marine

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.