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Under Ice Search Uses Multiple Micro-ROVs - February 15, 2005

VideoRays Used in Unique Shallow-water Search – VideoRay LLC announces at Underwater Intervention details of a multiple ROV operation in extreme conditions.

VideoRay announced today at Underwater Intervention the details of an unprecedented search using multiple VideoRay micro-ROVs in extreme conditions. The 3-day search took place from January 9th through the 11th on the frozen St. Louis River in Duluth, Minnesota.

Jim King the owner of Spirit Lake Marina off the St. Louis River fell out of his rear-tiller motorboat while marking the location of buoys on October 25, 2004. Since the accident there has been an ongoing search with no successful results largely because of large area and lack of witnesses who could identify a ‘point last seen’. Since the accident the St. Louis County Sheriffs office has logged more than 3000 hours of search time.

The latest effort to recover Mr. King’s body came in January when the St. Louis County Sheriffs office organized a massive rather unique search. The search occurred on the St. Louis River which was frozen over more than 15 inches. Eight VideoRay micro-ROVs were used for the search. The Sheriffs office developed a search grid covering a square half mile area.

We began the mission with meticulous planning and equipment testing stated Robin McCauley 1st Lieutenant St. Louis County Volunteer Rescue Squad. VideoRays, generators, tents, heaters, and other equipment required were pulled out onto the ice by snowmobiles and all terrain vehicles. Holes in the ice were cut with an “ice saw” – a standard Stihl chain saw with environmentally friendly lubricant.

Six identical micro-ROVs were operated simultaneously from portable ice houses on the frozen river. Each VideoRay was equipped with a Desert Star Pilot positioning system to track the ROVs and transmit the data wirelessly to the command center about a half mile from the tracking station.

“As far as we know, this is the first time in the world anyone has had this many ROVs (Remotely Operated Vehicles) together to search for a body,” commented Tom Crossmon of the St. Louis County Rescue Squad. Crossmon also said the worldwide ROV community is small; when they e-mailed members looking for advice, no one said they had encountered such a large recovery operation.

In addition to the rescue squad, Mark Gleason of Michigan Technical University participated with his VideoRay Pro III unit, the local US Coast Guard Duluth Station, and Douglas County, and Lake County sent several people to assist. VideoRay sent Scott Bentley, President, and Marcus Kolb, Director of Research and Development. VideoRay donated the use of six VideoRay Pro units, and used the operation to conduct research into the use of micro-ROVs for a large scale, shallow water, under ice search.

“The result of the search was better than expected – we were able to search a large section of the river. We did not find the body – but we know far better where it is not located. We also learned that sonar was a critical tool in this kind of search due to the severely restricted visibility of the water. We recommend that VideoRay owners use the new “performance tether” when operating in this kind of high current environment, since it has much less drag, and with multiple holes and shallow water we did not need to use very long sections of tether. Finally, the positioning system was key to making sure that the areas searched were the areas we expected” stated McCauley

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.