Thunder Bay Exploration 2002: August 28 - Sept. 10 The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and famed underwater explorer Dr. Robert Ballard, who discovered the Titanic and PT109, will explore shipwrecks in NOAA's Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve, off the coast of Alpena, Mich., during a two-week expedition.  NOAA and state maritime archeologists and a team from Dr. Ballard's Institute for Exploration (IFE) will document newly located shipwrecks by using a remotely operated vehicle to capture video and still images. The Thunder Bay Exploration 2002 expedition follows last summer's shipwreck survey in Thunder Bay by IFE as part of their ongoing exploration of NOAA's marine sanctuaries. Last year the group captured 70 images by side scan sonar of what could be intact shipwrecks or pieces of shipwrecks.  The Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve was established in October 2000 to protect a historic collection of shipwrecks and is managed through a partnership between NOAA and the state of Michigan.  Media Events, the media may observe expedition operations from aboard the research vessel R/V Connecticut. Space is limited on the vessel, and slots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact Karen Brubeck or Ellen Brody (numbers below) to reserve boat space. Dockside briefings will be held as well. Details follow.

Friday, August 30 Media Day on vessel R/V Connecticut boarding location:
7 a.m. -1 p.m. Federal Building (rear of building)
1 p.m. - 7 p.m. 145 Water Street, Alpena, Mich.

Dave Shirlaw
Editor, Seawaves Magazine

Webmasters Note:  This release was posted to the Underwater Archaeology Discussion List