VIDEORAY
The Ocean Alliance and the Voyage of the Odyssey are proud to have VIDEORAY (www.videoray.com) as a
technology partner in the Voyage of the Odyssey. The following is a press release from VideoRay.
VideoRay ROV Travels aboard the Research Vessel Odyssey Exploring World's Oceans
8-Pound Swimming Video Camera Captures Unique Underwater Perspectives; See Daily Logs and Video Footage of "The Voyage of the Odyssey" at PBS Online
Exton, Penna., September 4, 2001 - The VideoRay ROV (remotely operated vehicle) is onboard the ninety-three foot research vessel Odyssey as a key piece of scientific equipment during a five year tour of the world's equatorial oceans. Weighing just 8-pounds, the VideoRay ROV submersible is deployed and operated by just one person from the Odyssey or dingy. Connected to a video monitor, the ROV provides the pilot on deck with a clear view of "places and situations that would be difficult if not impossible for a diver," according to the daily log entries by Genevieve and Chris Johnson at www.pbs.org/odyssey.
"[Using the VideoRay], we will attempt to capture on film, with minimal interference, imagery that is typically inaccessible to a human cameraperson, whether this be a shark feeding frenzy on a carcass or interactions between marine creatures in their natural environment," according to Johnson's log. The Odyssey crew will also use the VideoRay ROV as a back up to divers working in difficult situations.
The Voyage of the Odyssey is a five-year program conducted by Ocean Alliance to gather the first ever baseline data on the levels of synthetic contaminants in the oceans. The primary study species for this voyage of discovery are whales that Ocean Alliance believes serve as flagships for the health and well being of the oceans.
"Very few divers dive below 200 feet, when they do it is with considerable risk," Johnson explains. "At this depth divers typically use mixed gases not available on the Odyssey. The size, speed and agility of the VideoRay ROV mean that there are few restrictions to the dive location, duration, and depth. These exceptional capabilities will open up a whole new area of observation for the Odyssey crew."
The operator can monitor the depth gauge and compass reading directly from the control panel while seeing live video. The ROV is portably powered and controlled from the surface through a tether line, from 250 to 500 feet in length. The ROV is equipped with two lights, three thrusters and a forward facing camera. This miniature video camera tilts 75 degrees up or down and is housed in a marine grade aluminum body.
More about VideoRay
Our mission at VideoRay is to make ROVs more accessible to more people who want to explore and capture the undersea world on video. A breakthrough tool for underwater projects, VideoRay ROV is significantly lighter, less expensive, and more maneuverable and compact than other remotely operated vehicles. With a tether up to 500 feet, portable power, and a weight of just 8 pounds, VideoRay helps you expand the range of underwater studies. Safely operated and transported by a single person, VideoRay is the ROV you have been waiting for.
More about Ocean Alliance
The Ocean Alliance is a non-profit organization dedicated to rigorous scientific research in conjunction with global education in order to improve people's appreciation for, and understanding of the ocean environment and the creatures within it, and to contribute to the conservation of whales. See video and learn more about the project at http://www.pbs.org/odyssey/daily_photo.html
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