On March 8, 2011, Bluefin surveyed the hull of the USS Constitution using the HAUV.

Here is an article about the event:


 

Navy News Service - The Source for Navy News

 

Underwater Imagery of USS Constitution Captured for First Time
Story Number: NNS110317-15
3/17/2011

USS Constitution is moved from berth 2 to berth 1 at Charlestown Navy Yard after completion of construction on her pier.

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kathryn E. Macdonald, USS Constitution Public Affairs

CHARLESTOWN, Mass. (NNS) -- Underwater imagery of USS Constitution's hull was captured for the first time at the ship's berth in Boston Harbor, March 8.

The imagery, taken by Blue Fin Robotics' Hovering Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (HAUV), uses an acoustic camera to provide very high resolution sonar still imagery and video, for inspection of ships' hulls.

"The point of this is to conduct hull searches for both security and husbandry," said Rand LeBouvier, Bluefin Robotics government military sector. "So, today we're using the Navy's newest capability to inspect the Navy's oldest asset."

Cmdr. Tim Cooper, USS Constitution's 71st commanding officer, said the imagery will also be used for historical documentation.

"In addition to giving us a look at the condition of the hull, this imagery will help us to share another piece of Constitution with the American people," said Cooper.

Representatives of Bluefin Robotics dropped the HAUV into Boston Harbor and captured still imagery and video for approximately four hours.

"This is just another important piece of the ship's long and storied history," said Aircrew Survival Equipmentman 2nd Class (AW/SW) Jason Keith, USS Constitution command historian. "We're always teaching the crew about pertinent events in Constitution's history, and 50 years from now, we'll remember the day when we received underwater photos of the ship."

Constitution is located in the Charlestown Navy Yard of Boston Harbor. She is the world's oldest
commissioned warship afloat and welcomes more than 500,000 visitors a year.

For more information on Constitution, visit www.history.navy.mil/ussconstitution or www.facebook.com/ussconstitutionofficial.

For more news from USS Constitution, visit www.navy.mil/local/constitution/.


This article on the Navy.mil site:

http://www.navy.mil/search/print.asp?story_id=58977&VIRIN=96087&imagetype=1&page=1