The Odyssey of S.E.A.L.

This is one of our first projects as a new youth program!

On July 19, 2007 the Holiday Inn Express, 5679 Boyton Plank Road, Petersburg, VA 23803 was the location where the Social Ecology Aquatic and Leadership project (S.E.A.L.) participated in a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)  sponsored interactive internet broad-cast from the research vessel Endeavor.  The ship was participating in the USS Monitor Expedition sponsored by NOAA, The Institute for Exploration and in part by the Rhode Island Endeavor program. Click Here for Media News Release (PDF)  This was the first time an event like this was attempted and although the internet feed was received, unfortunately the broadcast did not have sound.  This was especially bad for us because the Endeavor sent a shout out to us from the expedition. The problem was reported to NOAA and they are working with us to make sure this does not happen again.   

About the Expedition: On July 15-20, a team of researchers conducted a major mapping expedition to the Monitor National Marine Sanctuary, the shipwreck site of the USS Monitor. The expedition collected high-resolution digital still and video imagery that will be used to generate a high quality photo mosaic of one of the greatest American technological innovations of the 19th century.  The goals of this expedition are to use the optical images to generate a digital photographic mosaic of the ship’s hull and surrounding wreckage.  Click here for a Picture.  This was a collaborative effort between the Institute for Exploration in Mystic, Connecticut and NOAA National Marine Sanctuary Program.  The expedition collected high-resolution digital stills and video imagery that was used to generate a high quality photo mosaic of the entire wreck site. Researchers aboard the research vessel Endeavor  used IFE’s robotic vehicle systems ARGUS and LITTLE HERCULES as the primary tools for the expedition.  In addition, the expedition used satellite telecommunication links to broadcast streaming video feeds and answer questions from shore in real time!  Even though sound was not available, it was great that we were invited to take part in this once in a life-time educational opportunity to experience a piece of history.  Virginia SOL’s covered – Click here VA SOL Standard VS. 7  

Click here to visit the USS Monitor Expedition Site.