FIFISH ROV Helps Avert a World‑War‑II Threat on England’s River Ure
2025-06-15
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Success Story | FIFISH ROV Helps Avert a World‑War‑II Threat on England’s River Ure
The Discovery
On a chilly Saturday morning in late March 2025, teenage explorer Cameron Makewell guided his compact FIFISH underwater robot into the fast‑flowing River Ure near Ripon, North Yorkshire. What began as a quick lighting test for the family’s YouTube channel soon turned into a moment of high‑stakes history: Cameron’s monitor revealed a two‑metre, fin‑tailed cylinder half‑buried in silt—later confirmed as a live SC‑500 aerial bomb from World War II.
“I didn’t believe my dad at first when he said it was a bomb—until the ROV zoomed in on the fuse.”
— Cameron Makewell, RC Xploration
Adam Makewell and his son Cameron Makewell. | Adam Makewell / SWNS
The Challenge
Hazard | Why it mattered |
Murky, fast‑moving water | Divers would struggle to see or hold position safely. |
Unknown river‑bed objects | Any contact risked triggering unexploded ordnance. |
Small, two‑person crew on a steep bank | All gear had to be lightweight and deployable in minutes. |
The FIFISH Solution
FIFISH ROVs—renowned for their 4 K imaging, powerful LED lighting and 360° maneuverability—were designed precisely for situations where humans should keep their distance. In the River Ure, the robot’s ultra‑wide lens and twin 5 000‑lumen lights cut through silt, while its six‑thruster stability let Cameron hover centimetres from the find without drifting. Crucially, real‑time video and location data were handed to local police the same day, giving bomb‑disposal teams a head‑start before anyone entered the water.
Adam Makewell and his son Cameron Makewell. | Adam Makewell / SWNS
Date | Event |
22 March, 2025 | Suspicious cylinder filmed ~4 m deep; footage and GPS shared with North Yorkshire Police the same day. |
23 March, 2025 | Royal Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit reviews FIFISH footage to plan a search dive. |
26 March, 2025 | Navy divers relocate and safely detonate the 500 kg device; a 700 m safety cordon protects nearby communities. |
27 March, 2025 | River reopened and media coverage begins, spotlighting safe ROV exploration. |
Outcomes
Public safety ensured – A wartime bomb containing roughly 250 kg of explosives was neutralised within four days of discovery.
Actionable evidence on first contact – High‑definition video convinced authorities immediately and pinpointed the search area.
Positive publicity – Regional news outlets and specialist tech media highlighted how FIFISH ROVs empower small teams to handle big hazards.
What It Means for Professionals
Bridge piers, ship hulls, aquaculture nets, and even historical sites all benefit from FIFISH ROVs’ broadcast‑quality visuals, rock‑steady station‑keeping, and rapid deployment in environments where divers face heightened risk.
About FIFISH ROVs
Developed by QYSEA Technology, the FIFISH range combines intuitive controls, modular accessories and industry‑grade durability in a portable form factor. FIFISH delivers clarity, safety, and confidence to underwater missions worldwide.
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