2021 Survey & Dive Activity
WOW ... 2021 is turning out to be a HALLMARK year. This spring we have located what we are pretty certain is a very "major" shipwreck. Probably one of the "top five most sought after Great Lakes shipwrecks"!!!!!
As always we tend to keep this stuff locked down as "top secret" ... so until we complete our dives, collect video, analyze cargo, and all the on-line and "in-person" at the library research you will just have to wait!!!
As of August 21 we have made three trips out to the new discovery and have a TON of new video that we are processing. Believe me when I say it keeps Mike out of mischief! But, Mike loves it ... real time actual ADVENTURE and HISTORY in the making!!
Stay tuned as I try to find more time to add some of the "OK for public now" content on this years activity in the next few weeks!
As always we tend to keep this stuff locked down as "top secret" ... so until we complete our dives, collect video, analyze cargo, and all the on-line and "in-person" at the library research you will just have to wait!!!
As of August 21 we have made three trips out to the new discovery and have a TON of new video that we are processing. Believe me when I say it keeps Mike out of mischief! But, Mike loves it ... real time actual ADVENTURE and HISTORY in the making!!
Stay tuned as I try to find more time to add some of the "OK for public now" content on this years activity in the next few weeks!
URA 2021 Promo Short - Danger Zone
OK ... here is a really great short 10 min video that will tell you much of the background of Undersea Research Associates ... some of our many finds, how we work, and a great short discussion on "Technical Diving". Includes some "teasers" from our newest 2021 find. Details are withheld until we go public on the find and reveal her. HINT: She is a MAJOR FIND!!!
New 2021 URA technology acquisition
In late August URA has acquired another new "tool" to be used in our exploration and shipwreck documentation. A trident ROV was purchased from Bob McGreevy for URA use. Mike is the current custodian of the ROV and has the responsibility to download new interface software, update on-board firm-ware, and then "learn how to drive the ROV. It was first "water tested" on Aug 25 of 2021 with a short 40 minute "dive" using the short 25m tether. We maxed her out at around 47 feet depth in Lake Heron. We consumed LESS THEN 1/4 of the on-board battery charge during this "play time". So we should have pretty good endurance on future dives.
As soon as Mike gets the software squared away he plans to drop it in a local pool and just learn how to better control and drive the ROV before its next open water dive.
See the short 2 min video of initial open water dive below.
Trident Technical Specifications
Size and weight: External dimensions: [ L X W X H]: 410mm x 205mm x 86mm (16.1in x 8.1in x 3.4in)
Weight: 3.4kg (7.5lbs) ballasted for freshwater 3.5kg (7.7lbs) ballasted for seawater
Performance:
Depth rating: 100m (328ft)
Thrusters: 3 ultra-rugged, low-maintenance brushless motors
Maximum speed: 2 m/s (3.89kts / 7.2kph / 4.5mph)
Battery and power:
Battery architecture: 3S4P Li-NMC 18650 cells with built-in PCM, UN38.3 approved
Capacity: 95 WH
Charge time: 1.5hr from 20% to 80%, 3hr from 0% to 100%
Nominal run time: 3-4 hours, normal operation (active piloting, lights on)
Power consumption: 30W nominal
Charge power requirements: 120VAC to 240VAC (charger included)
Interface and communications:
Topside WiFi interface: 802.11 b/g/n
System requirements: Works on modern Android (minimum 5.1) device through the OpenRov App.
Vehicle payload data interface: WiFi
Environmental:
Operating water temperature rating: -2°C to 40°C (28.4°F to 104°F)
Storage temperature: 0°C to 25°C (32°F to 77°F)
Chemical resistance: Seawater, diluted Chlorine
Camera specification:
Resolution: 1080p @ 30fps recorded, 720p @ 30fps live on device
Video Latency: Very low latency (~120 ms)
Video compression: h.264
Video export format: mp4
Features: Excellent color rendition, high dynamic range, optimized for low-light underwater,
wide angle field-of-view and scratch-proof sapphire window.
Lights:
Quantity: 6 forward facing LEDs (3 on each side)
Total Lumens: 360
Color temperature: 4000K
Tether specifications:
Available lengths: 25m and 100m (82ft and 328ft)
Maximum operational length: 150m (492ft)
Breaking strength: 100kg, Kevlar-reinforced
Buoyancy: Neutrally buoyant in freshwater, slightly positive in seawater
Features: High visibility yellow with wear-resistant polyurethane jacket
Sensors:
IMU: 3-axis magnetometer, 3-axis gyro, 3-axis accelerometer
Depth / temperature: 1cm-resolution depth sensor with temperature calibration and display
Other: Internal barometer, battery meter
Size and weight: External dimensions: [ L X W X H]: 410mm x 205mm x 86mm (16.1in x 8.1in x 3.4in)
Weight: 3.4kg (7.5lbs) ballasted for freshwater 3.5kg (7.7lbs) ballasted for seawater
Performance:
Depth rating: 100m (328ft)
Thrusters: 3 ultra-rugged, low-maintenance brushless motors
Maximum speed: 2 m/s (3.89kts / 7.2kph / 4.5mph)
Battery and power:
Battery architecture: 3S4P Li-NMC 18650 cells with built-in PCM, UN38.3 approved
Capacity: 95 WH
Charge time: 1.5hr from 20% to 80%, 3hr from 0% to 100%
Nominal run time: 3-4 hours, normal operation (active piloting, lights on)
Power consumption: 30W nominal
Charge power requirements: 120VAC to 240VAC (charger included)
Interface and communications:
Topside WiFi interface: 802.11 b/g/n
System requirements: Works on modern Android (minimum 5.1) device through the OpenRov App.
Vehicle payload data interface: WiFi
Environmental:
Operating water temperature rating: -2°C to 40°C (28.4°F to 104°F)
Storage temperature: 0°C to 25°C (32°F to 77°F)
Chemical resistance: Seawater, diluted Chlorine
Camera specification:
Resolution: 1080p @ 30fps recorded, 720p @ 30fps live on device
Video Latency: Very low latency (~120 ms)
Video compression: h.264
Video export format: mp4
Features: Excellent color rendition, high dynamic range, optimized for low-light underwater,
wide angle field-of-view and scratch-proof sapphire window.
Lights:
Quantity: 6 forward facing LEDs (3 on each side)
Total Lumens: 360
Color temperature: 4000K
Tether specifications:
Available lengths: 25m and 100m (82ft and 328ft)
Maximum operational length: 150m (492ft)
Breaking strength: 100kg, Kevlar-reinforced
Buoyancy: Neutrally buoyant in freshwater, slightly positive in seawater
Features: High visibility yellow with wear-resistant polyurethane jacket
Sensors:
IMU: 3-axis magnetometer, 3-axis gyro, 3-axis accelerometer
Depth / temperature: 1cm-resolution depth sensor with temperature calibration and display
Other: Internal barometer, battery meter