Waitt Institute Launches Deep-Sea Exploration Program Featuring Robot Sub Tool Kit
Inaugural Expedition To Conduct High-Tech Survey of Rare and Vulnerable Deep Coral Reefs
FORT PIERCE, Fla., Dec. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- The Waitt Institute for
Discovery and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution have joined forces to
launch the CATALYST Program, making available for the first time a versatile
and highly portable deep-sea tool kit and operations team, which can be
rapidly deployed anywhere in the world. This unprecedented collaboration
features the Waitt Institute's two newly built Hydroid REMUS 6000 Autonomous
Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), which can explore depths of up to 6000 meters, or
3.7 miles, below the ocean's surface. These innovative multi-sensor platforms
are equipped with high-tech survey instruments capable of recording critical
oceanographic data, photo-imaging deep-sea features, and producing detailed
sonar maps of the ocean floor.
The inaugural CATALYST expedition launches on December 4, 2008 and draws
on the scientific expertise and resources of Harbor Branch Oceanographic
Institute at Florida Atlantic University to explore Florida's vulnerable and
rare deep coral reefs. The CATALYST ONE expedition will utilize the CATALYST
AUVs to create the first-ever high definition side-scan sonar maps of deep-
water Lophelia and Oculina coral reefs. The expedition will be led by Dr. John
Reed of Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, who has been studying and
working to protect these deep corals for over 30 years.
"These Deep Sea Coral Ecosystems are under immediate threat from
destructive bottom trawling and other fisheries impacts," said Dr. Reed.
"Ultimately, the CATALYST ONE expedition will provide us with much-needed data
to help protect these fragile reefs as Marine Protected Areas and as Habitat
Areas of Particular Concern."
For initial expeditions, the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute is also
bringing its ocean exploration expertise and resources to the CATALYST program
in the form of expedition logistics and science plan development. CATALYST ONE
will also see the utilization of Harbor Branch's research vessel R/V Seward
Johnson as the first CATALYST AUV launch vessel.
"AUVs are quickly proving to be the most versatile, efficient, and
transformative technologies available for exploring the oceans," said Ted
Waitt, founder and president of the Waitt Institute for Discovery and founder
and former chairman of Gateway, Inc. "Our goal is to help implement these
vehicles in a way that accelerates and advances deep-sea exploration, cutting-
edge scientific research and sustainable ocean policy." As the founder of the
CATALYST Program, the Waitt Institute for Discovery commissioned the
construction of two REMUS 6000 AUVs and currently directs the implementation
of CATALYST expeditions.
The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) developed and engineered
the REMUS AUVs and has assembled a rapid-response operations team with the
expertise to conduct REMUS 6000 expeditions anywhere in the world. "Through
the use of deep-diving AUVs and a dedicated operations team, the CATALYST
Program establishes a full-time, long-lasting, high-tech knowledge center for
interdisciplinary research of Earth's oceans," said WHOI President and
Director Susan Avery.
