Underwater Webcam research

s3rp1c0 · Jan 8, 2008

Hey everyone,

I'm just starting to poke around to see what it would take to setup an underwater web cam to promote diving tourism in my area. I have set up a number of webcams throughout the city so I am aware of the networking aspect, however this underwater things is somewhat of a challenge

Its an old tugboat wreck about at about 60' and shore/network is about 1,000' away from a dock, which is close to where I can run power/wireless etc.

Any ideas as to what kind of camera? Limitations of cabling etc? Any ideas and suggestions are greatly appreciated!

Cheers!

t.

sharky60 · Jan 8, 2008

the Monterey Bay Aquarium has underwater webcams inside the aquarium and out in the outer bay. Try contacting them to see if they might be able to give you some insite.

bladephotog · Jan 8, 2008

NOAA has one at Thunder Bay in Alpena, Michigan. It's run off of solar energy from a buoy I believe. You might contact them for help.

Medic0506 · Jan 8, 2008

Cat 5 really can't send a signal past 100 m or so without a repeater (hub would work). Wireless would probably be a bit expensive but less upkeep in the long road. I give you credit that's an amitious project.

s3rp1c0 · Jan 9, 2008

Cool, thanks for the input... those are some good leads. I don't know if solar/wireless is going to be an option as its a little bit of a theft/vandalism target. The wreck is sunk in a narrow, active channel so I don't even know where to begin with submarine cable placing. I guess I should start with what kind of cameras are out there and how to cable them.

Larry C · Jan 9, 2008

There are commercial submersible camera rigs designed to be hung from a boat, etc. available in the West Marine catalog, and others I'm sure. As I recall, they start at about $750. Also, a high school science teacher was setting one up at Point Lobos a while back for semi permanent installation. I think he built it himself. He was live streaming it, but I'm pretty sure it was hard wired to a modem of some sort on shore. A bouy would be the alternative for wireless sending, I think. I'm completely ignorant of this stuff, but I know there are many tech engineers lurking on board.

Underwater Video Camera

Web Cams | NOAA’s Aquarius Undersea Laboratory

Underwater Video Camera | Underwater Camera | Waterproof Camera

Good luck.

s3rp1c0 · Jan 10, 2008

Larry! That's perfect! That camera, with built-in web server even has inputs for a sonar microphone. Don't know how useful that is but perhaps people will get a chuckle out of having their gurgly bubbles streamed across the internet. Fibre is definately an option, but I'm worried about connectors fouling up etc. I'm now thinking 300ft to the island its near, solar-powered wireless to the mainland. This might actually be do able! lol

Underwater Webcam research

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