VideoRay Releases Details of Sunken Lady Luck Location and Video Survey
Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) Surveys Wreck for USCG Investigators.
Phoenixville, PA (PRWEB) March 22, 2007 -- VideoRay LLC was asked to assist the US Coast Guard in investigating the cause of the mysterious loss of the Lady Luck, a Newburyport, MA based fishing vessel which sunk early on the morning of February 1st, 20 nautical miles southeast of Portland, ME. claiming the lives of captain Sean Cone, 24 and Dan Miller, 21. The US Coast Guard Sector Northern New England, responsible for investigating the disaster, had detailed information from multiple sources on where the wreck was located, in approximately 500 feet of water. VideoRay is the standard observation class ROV for the USCG, with a unit based nearby at the Maritime Safety and Security Team in Boston. However, their VideoRay model was not designed to work at the wreck's depth.
Normally, the location of sunken vessels in open waters is accomplished by "side scan sonar" units, which are towed behind survey vessels and provides an image of the bottom and objects located there. However, within the tight timeframe established by weather and vessel availability, the VideoRay Deep Blue model submersible, equipped with an onboard Sea Sprite scanning sonar, was the only tool available to both locate and investigate the wreck.
After several hours of surveying thousands of square meters of seafloor, the SeaSprite sonar on the ROV located the Lady Luck, and minutes later the images from the VideoRay provided positive video confirmation. Operator Craig Bussel of Aquatic Robotics of Ledyard, CT conducted the detailed video survey requested by USCG investigators. The captured video is being reviewed, and a complete report is being produced. Craig commented, "The VideoRay accomplished the mission - it was easy to drive and produced images that answered important questions on the cause of this tragedy." Scott Bentley, President of VideoRay, echoed his comments. "We were pleased to help; pleased to use our equipment in this way. We hope the images we helped gather can be used effectively by the USCG to better understand and report on what happened and to help bring closure to the families who've experienced loss in this tragic accident."
Informed of the performance of the SeaSprite, manufactured by Tritech International of Aberdeen, UK, Managing Director Richard Marsh commented, "We are very pleased to learn that the VideoRay Deep Blue vehicle, fitted with the Tritech SeaSprite digital sonar, was able to play such a valuable role in the location of the sunken vessel "Lady Luck". This is a further example of small, yet industrial-grade, vehicle and sonar producing results normally associated with very much larger and more expensive offshore products. It is a tremendous tribute to the technology in both the vehicle and the sonar."
About VideoRay LLC
With more than 750 Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) in service around the world, VideoRay has clearly become the global leader in Micro-ROV technology. Starting at just $5,995 USD and weighing just 8 pounds, VideoRay is as 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 also currently available on the General Services Administration (GSA) schedule.
For More Information
VideoRay please visit www.videoray.com
Aquatic Robotics please visit: www.aquaticroboticsllc.com
Tritech (SeaSprite Sonar) please visit www.tritech.co.uk
For further information:
United States Coast Guard
LT Connie Braesch
Public Affairs Spokesperson
USCG Sector Northern New England
office: (207) 767-0318
VideoRay
Chris Gibson chris.gibson@videoray.com
Director, Sales & Marketing
VideoRay LLC
Phone: 610.458.3000 x204
www.videoray.com
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