Tampa, Fla., 6 July 2006. VideoRay LLC and BlueView Technologies have announced an agreement outlining the purchase for resale of 50 ProViewer 450 sonar systems. The agreement will result in the rapid deployment of sonar technology to the more than 600 VideoRay users, and new customers of the companies' underwater inspection products.

VideoRay, a manufacturer of underwater inspection class ROVs (Remotely Operated Vehicles), has been evaluating Multibeam technology as a tool for enhancing operations and navigation in low-visibility water. The BlueView ProViewer has been extensively tested by customers in port security, law enforcement, and commercial diving environments, and has allowed users to accomplish previously difficult or impossible missions.

"Sonar technology is critical when visibility is low" says Scott Bentley, president of VideoRay. "The BlueView ProViewer 450 is the best tool in many cases for imaging in this environment. It acts like a 'flashlight' that cuts through the murk and allows users to locate and identify targets. Knowing where your ROV is and what's out there are two of the most challenging issues for ROV operators. With this sonar, even new operators are able to easily navigate their ROV close enough for the video camera to inspect an area of interest."

The BlueView ProViewer also provides advantages in water with good visibility. For example, hull searches for attached devices can be performed on tanker size vessels by "scanning" large swaths at a time. Protrusions and even details as small as weld seams can be observed from a greater distance than possible with visual detection alone.