Underwater patrol

By Robyn Moormeister
The Union of Grass Valley
Feb 12, 2008

Technology has evolved to the point where law enforcement officers can search for and retrieve a sunken vehicle, a submerged murder weapon or a floating body using a device no bigger or heavier than a portable vacuum.

The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office Tuesday showed off its new $50,000 Remote Operated Vehicle, or “rover,” a 30-pound neon-green device designed to aid in underwater patrol around dams and search for evidence and bodies in area lakes. The super-durable, watertight vehicle is equipped with sonar that detects objects up to 300 feet in every direction. It has a video camera and an extended grabbing arm in the front.

“This device will significantly reduce the risk to divers searching for drowning victims,” Sheriff Keith Royal said. The rover also can patrol Stampede Dam at Boca Reservoir for any attempts to damage it. “If that dam were compromised, within a matter of minutes, Reno would be under water,” Royal said.

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