VideoRay LLC released what is believed to be the first images taken underneath a grounded cruise ship. When the U.S. Coast Guard’s Maritime Safety and Security Team (MSST) 91101, based in Seattle (http://www.uscg.mil/D13/ipa/factsheets/ MSST_91101.pdf ) responded to the grounding of the 360 ft. passenger overnight sternwheeler Empress of the North, their VideoRay ROV was used to investigate the conditions under the hull.
Shortly after deploying VideoRay, the MSST saw dramatic images as the robot swam under the vessel and revealed that a large boulder had actually punctured the hull. The salvage team had thought the vessel was on smooth sand; the video footage from the VideoRay ROV showed that the original flotation plan could be catastrophic. The team immediately worked out a new refloating plan, which was ultimately successful.
An official commendation to those involved from the Coast Guard by Captain Patrick G. Garrity, Commanding Officer of Sector Portland, included “The underwater video provided by MSST Seattle’s ROV proved very helpful in planning the salvage operation.”
During the process of investigating the hull, the VideoRay was tossed about “as if we were in a washing machine on the super spin cycle” according to the MSST operating team. This was due to the swift currents – over 4 knots at times – in the very tight space under the hull. However, this unit was recently upgraded with GTO (Greater Thrust Option) propulsion and, along with expert operators, accomplished its mission.
The Empress of the North ran aground Friday, March 24 on the Columbia River, near Washougal, Wash.. Aground, it sat at an 8 to 10 degree list. All of the 233 passengers and most of the ship's non-essential crew were safely transferred off the vessel. The Empress of the North left Astoria, Oregon., March 19, for a seven-night Columbia River cruise. It was scheduled to return to Astoria Sunday, March 26.