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VideoRay Assists Local Agencies In Identifying Stolen Car - August 30, 2005

Local Agencies Identify Stolen Car In Willamette River During Training Exercise – High Tech Robotic Camera Used to Keep Divers Safe While Capturing Stunning Video.

VideoRay LLC, of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, worked with local agencies in a demonstration and training exercise yesterday on the Willamette River in Clackamas County, Oregon near Portland. The exercise was organized to show local law enforcement and search and rescue departments the latest underwater inspection and surveillance technology. In attendance were representatives from:

The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Dive Rescue, Marine & Crime Reconstruction Units

Clackamas County Inter-Agency Homicide Team

The Clackamas County Fire District #1

The Multnomah County Sheriff

The American Medical Response Inc: Clackamas County Operations

The Gladstone Fire Department Volunteers

VideoRay experts were in town at the request of the US Army Corps of Engineers. Their National Dive Safety Workshop is designed to demonstrate methods such as the use of VideoRay ROVs that can replace or augment dangerous human diving.

Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office suspected there were submerged stolen vehicles in the river, and coordinated the VideoRay demonstration as an alternative to the danger and expense of conducting the search using divers. The VideoRay was operated from shore by law enforcement and fire rescue personnel using a wireless computer interface and sonar. Shortly after entering the water, the VideoRay ROV delivered crisp video showing the license plate of a white Chevy Blazer, as well as a second unidentified vehicle. The investigation continues…

The Multnomah County Sheriff has a VideoRay purchase in the works, and representatives were very pleased with the experience and opportunity to meet with VideoRay experts.

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.