US Naval Academy Purchases VideoRay Underwater Robots

8-Pound Remotely Operated Vehicle Provides Foundation for Coursework; Replaces ROVs Lost During Hurricane Isabelle;

Exton, PA (PRWEB) November 12, 2004 -- VideoRay announced today that the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD, has purchased two VideoRay Pro III remotely operated vehicles, each identically outfitted with a SeaSprite scanning sonar, extension tether, training, 15-inch picture in picture monitor and manipulator arm valued at over $75,000.

The VideoRay will be used in Midshipman education, ocean engineering coursework and labs, and faculty research, according to Commander William Marr, Ph.D., P.E., of the Naval Architecture & Ocean Engineering Department at the US Naval Academy. The VideoRay replaces two ROVs that were destroyed in Hurricane Isabelle, which swept through Annapolis, Maryland, last September.

We were looking for an ROV that was lightweight, easy to use, and had good capabilities," says Dr. Marr, who first saw the VideoRay in operation during the Underwater Intervention show in New Orleans last year. The VideoRay will give the seniors hands-on training and show them how well a real ROV system can work."

The order by the US Naval Academy follows a recent order by the US Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, DC for VideoRay micro-ROVs, accessories, and training totaling $451,405.00 USD.

VideoRay ROVs are the smallest, most portable, and most responsive remotely operated vehicles available for underwater surveillance, mapping ship hulls, underwater investigations, and security sweeps. Using the VideoRay allows many of these tasks quickly, reliably, and without the cost, danger, and delay and disruption of lockouts required with placing human divers in the water. Weighing just 8 pounds, the VideoRay can be deployed and operated by a single person and mobilized in minutes.

For pictures and videos online, visit videoray.com/Press_Room/press_release.htm

US Naval Academy Contact: William J. (Bill) Marr, Ph.D., P.E., Commander, U.S. Navy, U. S. Naval Academy, Naval Architecture & Ocean Engineering Dept.
ph (410) 293-6425, e-mail marr@usna.edu

Contact VideoRay LLC • 400 Eagleview Blvd. • Exton, PA 19341 USA • Phone: (610) 458-3000 • FAX: (610) 458-3010 • videoray.com ### All brands and product names are trademarks of their respective owners.

VideoRay Press Contact: Kayla Patenaude, VideoRay Public Relations, PH: 603-428-3013, kaylap@forwater.com

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