NEPTUNE Canada Installation

On July 3, 2009, members of the media are invited to the Esquimalt Graving Dock to see the advanced technology behind NEPTUNE Canada, the world’s first regional cabled ocean observatory. This will be the only opportunity to view the observatory’s unique infrastructure and instruments before they are lowered to the seafloor of the Pacific Ocean in the coming weeks.

Join University of Victoria Vice-President Research Howard Brunt, senior federal and provincial government officials, staff from partner Alcatel-Lucent, and NEPTUNE Canada scientists and engineers at this milestone event for global ocean science. Equipment on display will include the specially designed 13-tonne nodes that will provide power and communications to more than 400 scientific instruments and sensors.

The technologically challenging installation process takes place July through September, led by the cable ship Lodbrog (operated by Alcatel-Lucent) and supported by the research ship Atlantis (operated by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution). Both ships will be dockside on July 3. For more information on NEPTUNE Canada visit www.neptunecanada.ca

PLEASE NOTE: Due to security requirements, all members of the media MUST attend a scheduled briefing session upon arrival in the shipyard. To register in advance please contact Wanda Lambeth in UVic Communications at (250) 721-7636 or uvicnews@uvic.ca.

WHAT: Advance viewing of the NEPTUNE Canada nodes, selected instruments and exhibits

WHEN: Friday, July 3, 2009
Media briefing begins at 8:50 a.m. sharp, followed by opportunities for interviews and viewing of equipment and exhibits
Official program begins at 10:15 a.m.
This is a working shipyard; wear appropriate clothing and footwear. Please bring photo ID.

WHERE: Esquimalt Graving Dock
825 Admirals Road, Victoria, BC
Enter (in your vehicles) at the front gate; you will be directed to parking
Map link: http://bit.ly/yVlHi
 

 

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