U/W Technologies



Developing innovative concepts for underwater film and display technologies.

For the past few years Oceans Discovery has developed and created the means for the implementation of innovative underwater film and display technologies. One key element of this task is to place tiny live HD-cameras at various underwater spots, so that they would transmit marine-life images, either wire-less or by means of fiber-optic-cable, directly into the classrooms of an institute or university, thereby creating scientific imagery for the high-definition film and photo libraries and subsequent film productions needed for research and education.


 

The Next Generation of tiny Underwater Cameras

This HD Baby-Cam is one of the tiniest fully integrated HD cameras on the market. A camera so small, it could be hidden anywhere, without compromising the image quality. - true 1920 x 1080 progressive/interlaced, - 2/3" single chip CMOS sensor 16:9, - c-mount, - fully integrated electronics (NO CCU!), - RS-485 Remote Control, - full broadcast environment integration, - light weight, - revolutionary small.


 



Wet Submarine/Underwater Glider
For highly technical expeditions the OD team is using a wet submarine or underwater glider. This underwater vehicle is equipped with two thrusters pushing four knots. It has on board air supply and can be easily navigated just like a car. Batteries will last for about two hours.


The glider, equipped with LED-Lights & Mini HD Cams, is slightly negative and will rest on the ocean floor if the divers leave the vehicle to explore or film a nearby wreck or reef. But this wet sub is much more than just a nice looking toy. Mostly the team is using it to make spectacular underwater shots and to train underwater film makers. For working on various reefs and/or historical wreck sites in close proximity to each other it is essential to be able to move quickly as dive/film time is precious.


 

An underwater scooter, should be able to carry a diver comfortably from one site to another, having enough battery power and speed. OD is currently preparing to test some newly developed scooters that will have the ability to carry on board a set of HD-Mini-Cams and LED-Lights.


 

There are also some other interesting new underwater gadgets on the market that could bring new angles to underwater film productions. More in future updates or after tests are completed.



In some of the “Oceans Of Mystery” episodes (“The Mystery Schooner” & “The British Freedom”) the team was able to work and film on board two scientific sub marines, the “Pisces IV” and “SDL”. Both Canadian submarines operated from the Canadian Navy mother ship “H.M.S. Cormorant”. Regrettably, both submarines including the Cormorant have been sold to a private company in the States, thus Canada loosing two of its best scientific submersibles.


 

A three-dimensional Bathymetric Multibeam Sonar Image. Several shipwrecks have been located with this Canadian developed technology.


 

Below you will find some images from the teams spectacular operation (1996) to film the “British Freedom”, a British Freighter which has been torpedoed by a German U-Boat during WW II.

Pisces IV & SDL in the hangar on board H.M.S. Cormorant  
SDL being launched from H.M.S. Cormorant's A-Frame  
H.M.S. Cormorant - Mothership to both: SDL & Pisces IV  


Only a few years later Rick and his team were able to film another spectacular discovery – a schooner, sitting upright on the sea bed of Lake Erie, with everything intact down to the ropes still attached to the hull. Besides the wet submarine the team is using on some of its resent expeditions there are quiet a few international manufacturers who built submarines for various purposes. We will feature from time to time some of these companies and their products on this web site.



  Bow of Mystery Schooner as seen through the window of SDL - Submarine
Maststep of Mystery Schooner in Lake Erie (165 ft)  
  Inside the SDL - Submarine


Information has been provided by United States based: US SUBMARINE INC. ussubs@ussubs.com

Remora 2000
One of the most beautiful and functionally efficient submersibles ever built, Comex's Remora 2000 has a 600 meter depth rating and superior visibility. The cost of the Remora is US $1.7 million.


PC-1805
PC-1805 was the last vehicle built by Perry and was delivered to Shell Exploration in 1984 for a cost of $3.2 million. This large submarine weighs 15 tons and has a 305-meter (1000') operating depth and a large diver lockout chamber with mixed gas capability.


Johnson SeaLink
Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution built two of these 3000-foot capable acrylic submersibles for marine science research. The submersibles have evolved significantly in the last 15 years and actually weigh about 15 tons, nearly twice their original weight. The vehicles have diver lock out capability.


Marlin S-101
The Marlin S-101 represents a versatile small diesel electric submarine with 100-meter depth capability. This unit was originally operated by the Swedish Navy and is now is owned by the radical environmental group, the Sea Shepherd Society. However, they have yet to operate the submarine.


SMAL-2
A French company that is no longer in business built the SMAL-2 in the early 1990s. The main segment of the pressure hull is composed of a vertically oriented acrylic cylinder. A five-passenger version was also built.


DR-1002
Deep Ocean Engineering built two of these 2-passenger, 1000-meter capable submersibles for a French television company. Highly maneuverable, the submersibles cost $1.7 million and represent the current state-of-the-art in an acrylic vehicle.


Pisces II
Pisces II is representative of early manned submersibles built in the late 1960s. With a weight of 6.5 tons and a 1,525-meter (5000 foot) operating depth, the Pisces series of submersibles were proven workhorses in offshore exploration. Note the relatively small conical view ports.


Historical Recovery Equipment



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