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United States Coast Guard Signs Five Year Agreement with VideoRay LLC - October 03, 2005

United States Coast Guard Purchases Underwater Port Security Robots – Decision on COTS Remotely-Operated Vehicle follows three years of field testing and deployments throughout US

VideoRay LLC announced today that it has been awarded a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) by the United States Coast Guard (USCG) in conjunction with its recent General Services Administration (GSA) Schedule award. The agreement expires in September, 2010, and involved a VideoRay Port Security configuration that has been deployed in nine Maritime Safety and Security Team (MSST) locations over the last two years. The BPA allows for advantageous pricing based on the quantity of units purchased.

With the BPA the USCG placed its first task order, which involves the remaining MSST units and the first Port Security Unit (PSU) deployment. The task order includes training and maintenance services with each system, and at the completion of this task order all MSST units will be equipped with VideoRay systems.

“We’re proud of the confidence that the US Coast Guard is showing in VideoRay through this agreement and order” said Scott Bentley, President of VideoRay. “Even though our company is relatively young and small compared to other defense contractors, our technology and market position is completely dominant in our niche of small, portable remotely-operated inspection ROVs. This recognition – and purchase of commercially-proven technology – is a win for us, the government, and for taxpayers.”

VideoRay plans to continue to focus on Port Security improvements to VideoRay, and plans several exciting announcements at its upcoming Micro-ROV User Training Conference in Key Largo, Florida on November 7-9, 2005. A major presence of USCG and other first-responder public safety agencies is expected.

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.