vshearer
Contributor
Speaking of which, maybe they could send the cat.
http://animal.discovery.com/videos/weird-true-freaky-scuba-diving-cat.html
Of course, some divers have a narrower profile than that cat.
General Vortex Incident Discussion
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Speaking of which, maybe they could send the cat.
http://animal.discovery.com/videos/weird-true-freaky-scuba-diving-cat.html
Of course, some divers have a narrower profile than that cat.
ScubaNurse758
Contributor
Any update on the tomfoolery going on at Vortex today?
lamont
Contributor
hopefully they're all staying safe...
prefer to have an ROV stuck in there that can't be recovered than another body stuck in there....
prefer to have an ROV stuck in there that can't be recovered than another body stuck in there....
If Ben really is in Mexico somewhere enjoying Cervezas, then who the heck is decomposing in Vortex?
vshearer
Contributor
Feeling sorry for those who have sites blocked at work.
No more evidence discovered yet at Vortex by underwater camera
September 25, 2010 5:52 PM
JAY FELSBERG, Managing Editor
PONCE DE LEON A special underwater camera was deployed Saturday in the most recent stage of the search for a missing diver at Vortex Springs. Deputies from the Broward County Sheriffs Office deployed the camera system.
The search Saturday for Ben McDaniel turned up no additional evidence after the camera was deployed about 1,300 feet into the cave. Expert cave divers were on hand to support the camera where necessary.
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It was a difficult dive, according to Ed Sorensen of Cave Adventures in Jackson County. Its so tight that it is east to get tangled up in lines, Sorenson said. At the 1,300-foot mark the camera clearly showed how narrow the cave is and how difficult it it to proceed. Its very hard to turn around, Sorenson said.
Its back to chest to get through, said cave diver James Tison of the opening that is about a foot tall and about 145 feet deep. Air tanks must be worn on the sides of a diver to get through.
Capt. Harry Hamilton of the Holmes County Sheriffs Office said it was not certain if the camera would be deployed again on Sunday.
Divers used small underwater scooters to move quickly through the cave where possible.
The $150,000 VideoRay camera system (including camera, accessories, computer system, TV and spare parts) operates on the end of a 2,000-foot tether that contains the camera cable that is controlled from shore by a control box and includes a television screen.
Deputy Sam Lapinsky operated the camera using a joystick and a TV screen. He said the VideoRay is becoming increasingly popular among law enforcement and government agencies because of its versatility and ease of maintenance. It can be rebuilt in the field, Lapinsky said, and the camera can be configured in the field depending on mission requirements. For example, the Blue Star model on hand at Vortex Springs has a detachable sonar system in case the camera was operating in the dark. The camera uses lights and is propelled by small propellers.
We use it to search lakes, rivers, canals and ditches, Lapinsky said. This is the first time the Broward officers have used the system in a cave. Its a new challenge, he said.
McDaniel, 30, from just outside of Memphis, TN, was reported missing on Aug. 18 after not being seen for two days at the well-known diving site in western Holmes County.
Specially trained cadaver dogs were deployed at Vortex Springs last week and the dogs indicated the presence of decomposing material. The source of the decomposition appears to be underwater, although none was found Saturday.
The Tennessee native is believed to have attempted to work his way past a narrow restriction about 1,500 linear feet inside the cave at Vortex Springs.
Ha, ha . . . 1300 WINS!!!
vshearer
Contributor
One positive out of this extended investigation is that building relationships between divers and the LEO's is always advantageous. The story doesn't make it clear as to if 1300 was the max the ROV could navigate, or it had to be abandoned due to divers not being able to continue support, time limitations, etc. I wonder if they left it at that penetration to renew efforts tomorrow.
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