CR has extensive experience performing underwater
photographic surveys using Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs), towed video sleds,
and scuba divers. John H. (Chip)
Ryther, Jr. designed CR’s video sled and video grab systems and has 20
years of experience performing scuba and towed sled video surveys. Vince
Capone has worked closely with CR for the last 8 years. He is an extremely
experienced ROV pilot, and maintains and repairs CR’s ROV.
CR owns the
following equipment to perform underwater surveys:
Benthos MiniRover Mk II ROV with high resolution color video camera, single function manipulator, (2) 500 foot tethers and still camera brackets;
Underwater Video Sled w/light weight aluminum frame, Deep Sea Power and Light video camera, 250 watt lights, and navigation interface;
Video Grab System with Ted Young .06 m2 modified van Veen with stainless steel frame, Delrin tailfin and video camera brackets;
Benthos Minicameras (35 mm w/Sea & Sea DX90 Strobes);
Sony PC-120 Digital Video Camera w/ Light & Motions Mako housing; and,
Olympus 4040 Digital Still Camera w/ Light & Motions Tetra Housing.
In addition, CR has a large inventory of gear to support
these surveys, including oceanographic winches with armored video cable and slip
rings, plastic jacketed cables, hydrophone booms,
dive scooters with camera mounts, lifting davits, A-frames, and
deployment and recovery hardware. CR also has experience with ROV and Video sled
navigation and search equipment including the ORE Trackpoint and LXT
UltraShort Base Line Navigation Systems, and ROV and platform mounted
scanning sonars.
Underwater video data is displayed on high resolution
monitors and recorded on both VHS and DVD recorders. The system is also
furnished with an audio mixer and headset microphone to permit narration of the
underwater footage and a navigation interface is provided to display and record
Latitude Longitude positions.
CR has performed underwater video sled surveys in New Haven
Harbor and at the CAD cells in the Mystic River under the DAMOS project. Chip
Ryther and Barbara Hecker also analyzed underwater video data from the Rockland
Disposal Site.
Other underwater video surveys projects performed by CR are
listed below:
CR and BKAM’s NOAA Trawl Study
ROV and Video Sled Surveys 2001-02
MWRA Hard Bottom ROV Survey Outer Boston Harbor 1995-2002 (June 2003) for ENSR/Battelle;
MWRA Outfall Diffuser ROV Survey 1995 (June 2003) for ENSR;
Buzzards Bay Disposal Site Underwater Video Sled Survey for MA CZM;
Humarock Beach Underwater Video Sled Survey for MA DMF;
Little Bay, Norton Basin in Jamaica Bay, NY Seabed Classification Survey for NY ACOE;
Mohegan Indian Tribe Aquaculture Lease Site Underwater Video Survey Fisher Island Sound;
Carney’s Point, NJ Underwater Video Survey at two ponds to locate pipes and drums for Excel Environmental;
Morewood Lake Pittsfield, MA Underwater video search to locate drums Underwater Video Survey for MA DEP;
NY Mud Dump Underwater Video Sled Survey for SAIC.
CR Environmental also has considerable experience
performing underwater video surveys using Scuba Divers. Mr. Ryther has NOAA/EPA
diving certification and has prepared numerous dive plans for the New England
ACOE. Some of the underwater video surveys using divers are listed below:
Delaware Bay Artificial Reef Study for Battelle/EPA;
Fishers Island Aquaculture Lease Site Video Survey for EEA;
Long Island, NY Fiber Optic Cable Route Survey for SAIC;
Naraganset Bay and Providence River Quahog Survey for Battelle / NE ACOE;
Bottom
obstruction surveys, Hyannis Harbor, Boston Harbor, MA
Piscataqua River, NH, Saco River, ME for the NE ACOE.