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The buoyancy can be adjusted by adding or removing the supplied ballast weights to the vehicle. The
weights can be added to or removed from the slots by hand. For most operations, the weights should
be evenly distributed to provide a balanced attitude of the ROV in water.
Commence the Dive
Once the buoyancy has been adjusted the ROV is ready to launch. Lower it into the water and operate
the controls to maneuver it. The ROV can be lowered using the tether.
Start with the ROV on the surface and push the joystick forward slightly to make the ROV move
forward. Move the joystick to the left or right to make it turn left or right. Get a feel for how agile
the ROV is.
Observe the video display as well as the ROV to become acquainted with the camera's wide
angle lens and its affect on depth perception underwater.
Once you feel comfortable with the horizontal maneuverability of the ROV, rotate the depth
control knob to dive the ROV. Tilt the camera down as you dive so you can see towards the
bottom. Rotate the depth control knob to bring the ROV back to the surface. Tilt the camera up
as you surface so you can see towards the surface.
Change the lights settings, and adjust the camera focus. If you have a manipulator, tilt the
camera down so you can see it and open and close the jaws.
As you get familiar with maneuvering the ROV, you can start to observe some of the on-screen
displays including the depth, heading, camera settings and other data.
For your first dives, practice until you are comfortable operating the controls without looking at them
and you are able to control the ROV with some precision.
See the
Hand Controller
hand controller and see the
the MSS.
Automated Flight Operations
Automated flight operations require additional configuration and tuning to ensure accurate flight
dynamics and control. See the
Practice Makes Perfect
Developing the skills to operate your MSS like an expert may take some time. Practicing on a regular
basis is highly recommended.
Post-Dive Operations
At the conclusion of your dive, retrieve the VideoRay and power down the system by closing VideoRay
Balefire software, turning off the ROV power switch, shutting down the computer and then turning off
the main power switch.. Make sure the ROV is secure before disconnecting the tether. After
disconnecting the tether, keep the tether connectors clean and do not let them drag on the ground.
Proper maintenance of your VideoRay system ensures a long service life and that it will be ready to
operate when you are. After each dive, you should visually inspect the system for damage that might
have occurred during your operation.
Keeping the ROV clean is one of the most important aspects of good preventative maintenance
practices, especially after using it in salt water. If you use your ROV in salt water, or water with
contaminants, you should first rinse it, and then soak it in clean fresh water for at least one-half hour.
After cleaning the ROV and tether, they should be allowed to air dry before being put away for storage.
section of the
Equipment Guide
Piloting
section of the
Operations Guide
Automated Flight Operations
for complete information about using the
for more advanced tips on piloting
section for more details.
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