The rules are pretty simple:
1. You take video of something interesting with your ROV.
2. Edit it as you see fit, keeping things in good taste and entertaining.
3. Post it to YouTube and then put a link to it on the Video Competition Discussion on ROV Info.
4. Supply the following information along with the link: Make and model of the ROV, Date and location of the dive along with a short narrative of the video. You’ll also have to supply your name and contact information.
5. You can enter as many video’s as you want, but can only win one quarter a year. If you win in say the first quarter, but have a better video in the third quarter, as long as it receives an honorable mention, it will be eligible for the Video of the Year Award.
6. Try to keep the video’s less than 4 minutes. We don’t want to make it a hard and fast rule, but in all reality you will start losing the judge’s attention (and everyone else’s) around then.
7. The Judge’s decisions are final.
8. We may modify the rules as we go along due to various reasons (usually someone doing something we feel is pretty stupid, but didn’t cover in the rules). If we do, we’ll post them here and you can decide if you want to continue to participate or not.

What’s in it for you:
1. If your video is chosen by the judges as the video of the quarter we’ll supply you with a copy of Power Director 8 (or most recent release) so that you can continue your creative video editing.
2. VideoRay and LYYN will also run a link to your video on their respective websites along with a news release telling the sub-sea world that you have won the quarterly competition.
3. All video’s submitted will be judged by our distinguished panel. If your video is beaten out, but a majority feels your video is very good, they will give it an honorable mention. The quarterly winner and all honorable mentions will be given a coveted “Underwater Film Specialist” t-shirt.
4. Two Video of the Year Awards will be given out. The first will be for LYYNIFIED Video’s and the other is un-LYYNified. Though the prize’s for those winners hasn’t been finalized, you know both companies tend to do things over the top.

Who isn’t eligible to win (but can still post interesting video’s and try to get one of the coveted “Underwater Film Specialist” Shirt):
1. Employee’s (and family members) of the sponsoring companies.
2. Moderators of ROV Info and Judges.
3. Anyone that isn’t in good standing on ROV Info.

Please visit ROV info for more information.

Hello people who love to play on, near or in the water!

As we look toward the quickly approaching liquid water season (which we are as excited for as always), we are also very excited to announce the launch of the Rozalia Project. James and I are sick of seeing trash in the water, we are disgusted by the damage it does to marine animals, to beaches, to boats and the coast and we are scared by the fact that chemicals from plastics are ending up in the human food chain via the sea.

We are taking action and have founded the Rozalia Project for a Clean Ocean.

Starting this summer, we will be traveling the northeast coast at selected sites from New Jersey to the top of Maine to pick up trash, record data and engage and entertain the coastal and sea-going public on marine debris, it’s problems, prevention and solutions.

While we will be using nets to catch debris on the surface the centerpiece of our efforts will be a combination of high tech pieces of equipment: a VideoRay ROV (remotely operated vehicle – an underwater robot) with a Lyyn image enhancement system used alongside a Tritech Starfish side scan sonar. This combination of technology will allow us to find and remove debris with little to no impact on the seafloor (as opposed to dragging or grappling, a technique that is currently being used) even in deep, dark water.

We will come with our boat and equipment to you… to sailing centers, yacht clubs, waterfront organizations, your favorite kite or windsurfing venue, towns, your family’s beachfront… and clean it up. We will record the data and we will offer hands-on activities, opportunities to join us as guest scientists and give slide show presentations for kids and adults in your community.

This problem is immediate and dangerous. Beyond killing marine mammals, turtles, sea birds and fish, plastic and marine debris is affecting human health and economic well-being. There are islands of trash in the Pacific bigger than the state of Texas. We feel that no pile is too big and that we can and will make a difference.

You can make a difference too. Please join us by:

-Matching us with funding sources, foundations, companies and individuals who are concerned about this problem and looking for someone taking action to support whether that is yourself, friends or colleagues. We are incorporated as a Vermont non-profit and our federal 501(c)(3) non-profit status is being processed.

-Helping us identify clubs, schools and organizations who will have us come and pick up trash, run programs and give presentations this summer.

-Connecting us with research, survey or other charter opportunities. Our boat, our equipment and our captains/operators will be available for charter to complete research missions and projects throughout the northeast. This will also help fund our clean up efforts.

-Coordinating with organizers of beach clean-ups or other groups with similar goals. With our equipment, we are a great on the water compliment to a shore-side clean up effort.

-Introducing us to media or other opportunities to spread the word about what we are doing and the problem of marine debris.

-Checking out our web site: www.rozaliaproject.org, become a fan on Facebook, join the discussion with your own experiences of marine debris and pass this email on to everyone you know who enjoys the ocean.

and of course, you will be helping us by reducing your own use of disposable grocery bags and water bottles, making sure that all of your debris is secure and picking up trash that is in your path when you hit the water this summer.

We are looking forward to the summer and working with US Sailing to help spread the word, our technology partners to find and remove trash on the bottom and all of you for support, trash pick up and building contacts.

I can be reached at rachael@rozaliaproject.org or by calling 802-578-6120. Send us a note or give us a call if you have connections, ideas or a location that needs cleaning.

Thank you in advance and we hope you will join us any way you can to clean up marine debris for all the reasons we love the sea.

Think clean ocean,

rzm

Rachael Z. Miller
rachael@rozaliaproject.org
www.rozaliaproject.org
802-578-6120

Explorers finding a shipwreck with the digital depth sounder before sending the ROV down to the wreck.

The VideoRay ROV and tether awaiting launch

‘’Welcome to the General Butler. Please dive safely. Don’t penetrate the wreck!’’

”Explore Lake Champlain’s amazing shipwrecks without getting wet!

Join Lake Champlain Shipwrecks for a unique adventure. First we cruise to the wreck site, then, while sitting above the wreck, we’ll tell you the story behind it. Next, we deploy our ROV (remotely operated vehicle) and you will be able to see the wreck on screens onboard the boat as the ROV explores the depths. This is a fun experience for everyone, regardless of age.”

Rachael Miller is running a successful tour operation in Lake Champlain, Vermont, USA. Though only the sixth largest of America’s lakes, Lake Champlain’s distinction is what it contains: arguably the nation’s largest collection of historic wooden shipwrecks.

It all started back in 1986 when New York and Vermont created the Lake Champlain Underwater Historic Preserve System to protect its fragile wrecks from anchor damage and theft, while providing access to divers. The same year, the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum set up shop at Basin Harbor and went to work collecting, documenting, and preserving what artifacts it could salvage.

A decade later, they began a 10-year sonar scan of the lake’s floor, uncovering at least 70 previously unknown wrecks. Nine are open to divers, three of them in Burlington Bay. But the sites were inaccessible to non divers.

So in 2005, husband-and-wife sailing instructors Rachael Miller and James Line expanded their Burlington boating and snow kiting business to include shipwreck tours using a VideoRay ROV. This was the second company worldwide, and the first in North America, to offer this great opportunity to the public to connect with their underwater world, and for this they received the VideoRay Best Mission Award at the VideoRay International Partners Conference in Key Largo, Florida, in November 2007.

And now (spring of 2008) they have added a new tool to give their clients an even more exciting experience, the LYYN T38. “It’s really fantastic!”, says Rachel. “Visibility in Lake Champlain can be really difficult. There are even days when the turbidity’s so bad we have to cancel the tours. Now my clients can see what’s down there and get full value for money, whatever the visibility conditions.”

The following four images are from the Burlington Bay Horse Ferry that lies shattered near Lone Rock Point. This was a horse-powered ferry (rather than one that carried horses), propelled by two horses who walked on the top of the turntable from holes in the deck on each side of the boat, like a treadmill. You can still see the gear shaft coming off of the turntable that changed the horizontal circular motion into the vertical paddle-wheel motion.

The Burlington Bay Horse Ferry

The framing and turntable

Close-up of the port side

Close up of the paddle wheel

Read the full Case Story: Shipwrecktour.com or visit www.shipwrecktour.com.

The steel car ferry Milwaukee sank in a Lake Michigan gale with all hands on October 22, 1929. At the time of it’s sinking it was a 338 foot long ferry carrying train cars and other goods across Lake Michigan. That trip is approximately 85 miles and is still done today. The sinking of the Milwaukee occurred in the early evenings hours following the ships departure into a Fall storm from the city of Milwaukee. The entire crew of 52 was lost when the boat sank only a few miles from its starting point.

In July 2008, VideoRay ROVs were used to explore this shipwreck which lies in 90 to 125 feet of water off the Wisconsin shoreline. The ROVs were able to explore the Milwaukee from end to end as well as entering several compartments.

Dr. Mark Gleason, Chief Marine Scientist and ROV expert, Pier Wisconsin-Discovery World Museum

About Discovery World Museum at Pier Wisconsin (read more on their web site)

Discovery World’s hands-on exhibits, live shows, interactive labs, S/V Denis Sullivan schooner, and aquarium combine innovation, technology, exploration, environment and fun.  Located on the beautiful Lake Michigan, Discovery World guests can enjoy a public park, amphitheater, café, dock and event facilities.

This venue serves many purposes and audiences. With many ways to customize your visit, you can entertain any group of guests.  There are interactive exhibits and hands-on lab activities for students.  Meeting spaces with technology and catering services are available for corporations and conference planners.  Guided tours are also available for large groups.

Craig Thorngren, Owner of Submerged Recovery & Inspection Services and Retired United States Coast Guard Chief

Retired United States Coast Guard Chief (22 years) and long time VideoRay user Craig Thorngren, who now owns and operates Submerged Recovery & Inspection Services, is a true power user of ROV’s and LYYN visibility enhancement. Craig has piloted ROV’s in some of the most challenging underwater environments with great success for his clients.

An experienced Coast Guard

Several of his postings included New York City, Miami and Seattle.  In Seattle, he was deployed with MSST Seattle (91101) in response to Hurricanes Katrina & Rita, the grounding of the cruise ship Empress of the North along with many other military out load’s in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.  Upon his retirement he was BlueView Technologies Field Operations and Training Supervisor.

An experienced ROV pilot and popular VideoRay trainer

Craig has more than 1500 hours piloting experience in the following operations:

• Wreck Penetration Bridge Inspections
• Hull Inspections Evidence Documentation & Recovery
• Hydro Dam Inspections Water Tank Inspections
• Port Security Inspections Archaeological Recoveries
• Deep Operations High Current Operations
• Recovery Operations

Some clips that have been lyynified afterwards (post processed) with a LYYN T38:

[See post to watch Flash video]

A group of hunters were returning home in a boat when it was swamped and sank.  The police searched for a few days and then gave up.

Craig Thorngren, Owner of Submerged Recovery & Inspection Services and Retired United States Coast Guard Chief

“Two months later I was asked by the family for help.  VideoRay loaned me the gear to help the family and sent Erick Estrada as well (it’s his hand that enters the water to grab the shotgun as it comes near the surface.).  We were searching around a bridge where the boat was found when we found the shotgun.

Spurred on by this find, the family brought in some K-9 Cadaver dogs that located the body and he was recovered by divers.”

The shotgun recovered with the VideoRay next to it.

The equipment:  VideoRay ProIIIXEGTO with a BlueView P900 Imaging sonar and manipulator.

Craig Thorngren,
Submerged Recovery & Inspection Services

Flooded coal mine in West Bengal, India

Steve Van Meter

Steve Van Meter is one of the worlds most experienced underwater investigation consultants using VideoRay MicroROV’s. Steve travels to destinations in all parts of the globe from his base in Florida, USA. Investigations covers all type of inspections, from searching for missing bodies to inspection of perished oil tankers.

In September 2008, Steve was commissioned by the Indian Institute of Technology to map an abandoned coal mine in a village located 250 km NW of Kolkata. The mine had been abandoned for some time and needed to be filled with sand to avoid the risk of ground-sinking, that could endanger the village built on top of the mine. Before starting the fill, it was vital to inspect and map the whole mine, no reliable drawings existed. Using divers to do the inspection was not an option due to the dangers involved.

Steve Van Meter lowers the VideoRay into the mine

Apart from the more practical issues, like sufficient power and working in very high temperatures, the biggest challenge was the access to the mine. The only access was a 50 meter deep and 35 cm wide bore hole. Steve was using a VideoRay Pro3, which he managed to lower into the hole to reach the actual mine 50 meters below. The ROV was equipped with a sonar and a LYYN T38™ real-time video enhancement unit.

”The combination of a sonar and the LYYN unit worked very well together and allowed me to quickly map the mine and at the same time get good video images of the conditions of the tunnels.

The latter was important for the decisions later on of the best way to fill the mine in an efficient way. Without the LYYN unit it would have taken much longer time and without the good video images it would be more difficult to decide how to continue. After using the LYYN technology for over 2 years I am very happy with it and I never go on a job without it”, says Steve.

Some original footage from the inspection, filmed through Steve’s LYYN T38:

[See post to watch Flash video]

VideoRay LLC, of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, USA, makes the world’s smallest underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle, or ROV. The submersible weighs less than 4 kilos before accessories are added. VideoRay is also the world’s largest ROV manufacturer by number of vehicles, with more than 1100 Micro-ROV units sold.

VideoRay has several different units that are depth rated from 250 feet (76 m) up to 1,000 feet (300 m) and are utilized in a variety of underwater applications including; aquaculture & fishery operations, forensics & crime scene investigation, search & rescue missions, homeland & port security operations, recreational yachting, sportfishing & underwater marine life observation, shipwreck & treasure exploration, science, research and marine habitat mapping, inland dam inspection, offshore oil & gas rig observation, and numerous other underwater observation applications.

The ROV is operated from a suitcase sized control panel and provides crisp video footage to the user. 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.)

Following the successful introduction of LYYN T38™ to VideoRay users, there are many witnesses to its usefulness. However, since one of the strong points of the VideoRay ROV is its portability it introduced extra equipment necessary to carry around. “We have had several requests from users to have LYYN™ inside our products, and since LYYNs recent introduction the LYYN Hawk Board™ I am happy to say that this is now available.” says Chris Gibson, VideoRay Director Sales & Marketing.

VideoRay offers LYYN Hawk Boards™ integrated into the console in the standard configuration of the high-end model Pro4, as well as an option in earlier models. VideoRay dealers also offers LYYN T38™ to new and existing customers.

Please visit the Videoray web site for more information.

Buccaneer provides a full range of survey & inspection products and services to both maritime professionals and the oil & gas industry, as well as leisure & light-marine products and equipment to the inshore professional and recreational boat owner. Buccaneer is also a leading authorized sales & service dealer for VideoRay in the UK. web site

Liquavision is the sole UK Distributor of the LBV and the revolutionary LBC from SeaBotix. In addition to that Liquavision offers portfolio of complimentary products for the Marine, Oil and Gas, Off Shore, Emergency Services and MOD sectors. web site

A VideoRay Pro 3 Control Console with the integrated LYYN Hawk™ control panel to the left

Following the successful introduction of LYYN T38™ to VideoRay users, there are many witnesses to its usefulness. However, since one of the strong points of the VideoRay ROV is its portability it introduced extra equipment necessary to carry around.

“We have had several requests from users to have LYYN inside our products, and since LYYNs recent introduction the LYYN Hawk Board™ I am happy to say that this is now available.” says Chris Gibson, VideoRay Director Sales & Marketing.

VideoRay will demonstrate the LYYN Inside™ solution to the VideoRay customers, ROV users and VideoRay’s dealer network at the Micro-ROV Conference – VIPS 2008 (VideoRay International Partner Symposium) at the end of October.