Videoray - News - September 9, 2005

U.S. Military’s Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command Orders VideoRay ROV

The world's largest forensic anthropology laboratory chooses VideoRay Underwater Robotic Camera to assist in its recovery and identification mission

VideoRay today announced a significant order for underwater instruments, services, and maintenance from the U.S. Pacific Command’s Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) under VideoRay’s new GSA contract. The selection of the world’s leading microROV manufacturer was a result of extensive research by the underwater archaeological staff of the JPAC’s Central Identification Laboratory (CIL). This included consulting with the National Park Service’s Submerged Resources Center and attending the Association of Dive Contractor’s Underwater Intervention trade show in New Orleans before selecting VideoRay for the demanding requirements of JPAC’s varied underwater missions throughout the world. The CIL underwater archaeologists used their experience in traditional fieldwork, police diving, and JPAC recovery missions all over the globe to identify the capabilities most important in choosing the best unit for JPAC’s current needs.

Before delivery, JPAC underwater archaeologist Rich Wills attended a VideoRay training session with the Maritime Safety and Security Team of the United States Coast Guard located in Honolulu, Hawaii. Part of a wider deployment at 9 different MSSTs within the Coast Guard, these training sessions involved use of VideoRay Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) in a variety of security missions.

“We’re very excited about getting our unit into the hands of those accomplishing this difficult and critical mission” said Scott Bentley, President of VideoRay. “Having met Rich in Hawaii, and touring JPAC CIL while there, I’m certain VideoRay is a tool that they will use – making underwater location and identification of remains safer, and faster, for JPAC’s team of specialists. We look forward to working with them for years to come.”

VideoRay submersible Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) are the most widely used small, portable, and configurable ROVs available. Weighing just 8 pounds and starting at $5995 USD, VideoRays can be equipped with sonar, positioning systems or other accessories, and are used for underwater surveys, offshore inspections, search and recovery, homeland defense, science, fish farming, and a range of applications in underwater environments.

For further information:

Chris Gibson chris.gibson@videoray.com
VideoRay LLC Director, Marketing
Phone: 610.458.3000
www.videoray.com