Featured story
More photos

VideoRay Releases Amazing under-hull Video and Still Images of Empress of the North Ship Grounding - April 11, 2006

Robotic Underwater Camera Yields Critical Information for Re-Floating Plan – The Seattle USCG MSST responded to the grounding of the 360 foot passenger cruise ship Empress of the North with their VideoRay “Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV)” providing mission critical information in the successful salvage of the vessel.

VideoRay LLC today released what is believed to be the first images taken underneath a grounded cruise ship. When the United States Coast Guard responded to the grounding of the 360 foot passenger overnight sternwheeler Empress of the North, their high-tech VideoRay “Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV)” was the perfect tool to investigate the conditions under the hull. There was no other way the salvage team could safely discover the environment and conditions underneath the hull.

Shortly after deploying VideoRay, the USCG saw dramatic images as the robot swam under the vessel and revealed that a large boulder had actually punctured the hull. The salvage team had thought the vessel was on smooth sand; the video footage from the VideoRay ROV showed that the original flotation plan could be catastrophic. The team immediately worked out a new refloating plan, which was ultimately successful.

An official commendation to those involved from the Coast Guard by Captain Patrick G. Garrity, Commanding Officer of Sector Portland, included “The underwater video provided by the USCG team proved very helpful in planning the salvage operation.”

During the process of investigating the hull, the VideoRay was tossed about “as if we were in a washing machine on the super spin cycle” according to the USCG operating team. This was due to the swift currents – over 4 knots at times – in the very tight space under the hull. However, this unit was recently upgraded with GTO (Greater Thrust Option) propulsion and, along with expert operators, accomplished its mission.

Additional information from the US Coast Guard on the refloating operation.

The Empress of the North ran aground Friday, March 24 on the Columbia River, near Washougal, Washington. Aground it sat at an 8 – 10 degree list. All of the 233 passengers and most of the ship’s non-essential crew were safely transferred off the vessel early Friday evening. The Empress of the North left Astoria, Oregon., March 19, for a seven-night Columbia River cruise. It was scheduled to return to Astoria Sunday, March 26.

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.

View more photos

Back to previous

Found 3 images

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.