Select Page
Canaveral NPS Viewing Rigs
Relay Pole dune view
The relay pole braves its permanent coastal location.
Relay pole coastal view
The relay pole receiving & sending signal from the Turtlecam rig.
Relay pole installed.
Phil Peters & Brian Tortorelli survey the completed relay pole.
Relay Pole Installation
Relay Pole Installation
Relay Pole Fabrication
Relay Pole Fabrication
Relay Pole Wireframe
Relay Pole Wireframe
Relay Pole Project Description: A simple flag-pole, styled design that allows for 1-2 people to lower the relay pole through a simple pull-pin and hinge system. The relay receives and transmits video signal from the Canaveral National Seashore Park coastal rigs and sends it to the park’s Visitor Center.
Lagoon rig at NPS dock.
Lagoon rig placed near a dock in the Canaveral National Seashore Park.
Preparing to move and place the Lagoon rig on the coast (Brian Tortorelli, Rashaad, Phil Peters).
Preparing to move and place the Lagoon rig on the coast (Brian Tortorelli, Rashaad, Phil Peters).
Close-up view of Lagoon Rig.
Close-up view of Lagoon Rig.
Meeting with Peter the fabricator.
Lagoon Rig Detail
Lagoon Rig Detail
Lagoon Rig Wireframe
Lagoon Rig Wireframe
Lagoon Rig Project Description: A mobile remote viewing rig intended for streaming video from coastal & lagoon locations. The rig has telescoping legs and neck and is built to withstand tough weather and uneven terrains. It is currently stationed at the Canaveral National Seashore docks overlooking lagoon creatures. Fabricated by Hall’s Machine Shop and wired by Solis Energy. Location: Canaveral National Seashore.
ATV rig with Turtlecam
ATV rig with Turtlecam watching a turtle nest.
ATV rig in action
ATV rig in action with mounted Turtlecam rig demonstrating towing setup.
ATV Rig Detail
Side-view frame and wheel detail of ATV rig.
Wireframe and fabrication
ATV Detail with Fabricator
ATV Detail 2
ATV Detail
ATV Wireframe
ATV Wireframe
ATV Rig Project Description: Creation of a custom ATV towing rig made to mount and carry the remote viewing rig, Turtlecam. The design required making a durable and stable tow that could both carry the Turtlecam and act as a permanent base when left on coastal locations. Fabricated by Hall’s Machine Shop.

About:

The above devices were all created through a grant project between the University of Central Florida and the Canaveral National Seashore. Through the guidance of my University School of Visual Arts and Design Co-committee chair, Phil Peters, we were tasked with designing and fabricating custom rigs that could increase visual access to sea and coast life for NPS.gov website viewers.

Each machine came with different challenges, research requirements and outcomes.

Production Notes:

Though I had prior experience in drafting and building for various home projects like a custom frame or home repair, the tutelage of Phil and time with various fabricators that I met, took my design sensibilities to a new level. Taking an image from a piece of sketch paper to seeing it as a completed design on the Canaveral shores was truly satisfying.

From the time of building those machines to now, so much has changed in remote camera technologies. It’s gratifying to see the state parks continue to get unique views, sounds, and experiences to viewers across the globe with increasingly mobile technologies.