November 2005
University of Victoria offers sneak peek at new seafloor observatory
VENUS heralds a new way of studying the oceans
The Victoria Experimental Network Under the Sea (VENUS) is getting its feet wet! Installation of the first leg of one of the world's most advanced cabled seafloor observatories takes place later this month in Saanich Inlet north of Victoria, British Columbia--and the news media is invited to learn more about it.
A media briefing will take place at 9:30 a.m. (Pacific) on Nov. 16 on the Wave Venture, a marine cable installation and repair vessel docked at Ogden Point in Victoria's outer harbour. Reporters will have the opportunity to interview scientists involved with VENUS, see some of the VENUS equipment and instruments before they're submerged in Saanich Inlet, and take tours of the cable installation equipment aboard the Wave Venture. A reception with speakers will follow at 10:30 a.m.
The $10.3-million Victoria Experimental Network Under the Sea (VENUS) facility will give scientists, educators, decision-makers, the marine technology industry, and the general public the freedom to "enter" and interact with the ocean environment--anytime and from anywhere--via the Internet. The Saanich Inlet array, and a Strait of Georgia array to be installed in late 2006, offer scientists the technology to observe and experiment so that we can increase our understanding of ocean change.
The industrial partners for the project are Global Marine Systems Ltd., operators of the Wave Venture, and OceanWorks International Corp., a North Vancouver-based supplier of specialized subsea work systems. The facility features technologies developed in British Columbia.
WHAT: VENUS Media Briefing
WHEN: November 16, 9:30 a.m. (Pacific)
WHERE: Wave Venture, Ogden Point, Pier A-South
Due to security concerns, registration for the media briefing is required at the dock gate. Advance notice of your attendance would be appreciated. Please wear comfortable shoes and dress warmly.
For more information, contact:
Patty Pitts
manager, media relations,
250-721-7656 or [email protected]
or
Val Shore
research communications officer
250-721-7641 or [email protected].
For more background on VENUS visit: www.venus.uvic.ca