Plymouth team launches underwater filming device
A Plymouth University researcher and a local entrepreneur are launching a new high definition deep sea camera system for the global research market. Deep sea biologist Dr Kerry Howell and business-owner of Mr ROV, Marcus Shirley, have created an underwater video camera system that is cheaper, more portable and more durable than other models, while capturing equally high quality images.
Later this year they will test their device on board one of the UK’s Natural Environment Research Councils (NERC) vessels, RRS James Cook, as part of Dr Howell’s on-going deep-sea research programme. Once the testing is complete, they will market the camera to other research institutions.
The device does not need expensive and fragile fibre optic cables like other underwater systems. Instead, it can produce high quality images from depths of up to 3000m, just by plugging into the copper cabling system that already exists on most research vessels. It is the latest development from the collaboration between Dr Howell, who is based at Plymouth University’s Marine Institute, and Mr Shirley. Their earlier prototype model enabled Plymouth University to participate in a major European research project looking at deep-sea coral mounds and the creatures that live on them.
Read the full article on the GAIN website
