High Tech Search

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UNITED STATES COAST GUARD AUXILIARY UNOFFICIAL NEWSLETTER

04-05 JUN 04

High Tech Search

(Launch 5 photo by Don Elmendorf)

Launch 5 photo by Don Elmendorf

The Launch 5 crew provided the platform for a two day, high tech search of the Hudson River's bottom for a missing suicide victim.

A combination of side scan sonar and a remote robotic camera were employed by Steve Van Meter, a NASA robotics specialist, Bob Christ and Bill Martin from VideoRay, and George Martin from Raymarine, all of whom volunteered to search for the body of a man missing after a leap from the Bear Mountain Bridge.

While the body was not recovered, the effort was important to the New York State Police in moving the investigation along by narrowing the continuing search, as well as proving to be a learning experience for all involved. The NY Journal News published a front page article June 22, 2004 detailing the case and the recovery effort.

For more information on Launch 5 check out their website at www.launch5.com or Click For Launch 5's Latest Adventures.