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MacInnis was joined by his most famous protégé - fellow undersea explorer James Cameron - for a daylong program of events on July 18 at 50 Sussex. Cameron once again paid tribute to his mentor, noting MacInnis' listening skills and keen ability to discern the needs of a team working in a high-risk situation like a deep-sea expedition. To commemorate their crowning achievement, the 2012 Deepsea Challenge, Cameron presented MacInnis with a signed block of syntactic foam that travelled to the bottom of the Mariana Trench on DEEPSEA CHALLENGER. [Extracted from the article]

Reports on the development of Neptune, a deep-water observation system designed to study the ocean floor. Occurrences on the sea floor to be observed by the system, such as volcanic eruptions and blooms of plankton; Ability of scientists to remotely collect and analyze samples; Discussion of the history of ocean observatories, including the construction of the long-term ecosystem observatory (LEO-15).

The article offers insights regarding the conduction of ocean research so as to asses their changing state. Topics discussed include the role of "eReefs" collaboration program which was formed by the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), the Australian Institute of Marine Science, Bureau of Meteorology and the government of Queensland and of observatories like the Lucinda Jetty observatory located in North Queensland in the matter.

The article discusses China's plan to develop a deep-sea base, or station, for autonomous robots to conduct research on the deep sea. Plans to use the research station for robotic submarines are discussed.

John Cortinas, the Director at NOAA's Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory, has received the Presidential Rank Award, a prestigious honor for federal career civil servants. Cortinas has made significant contributions to NOAA's ability to provide accurate weather forecasts and warnings, particularly for extreme weather events. He has also been a trailblazer as the first openly gay Senior Executive of Hispanic descent to lead both an OAR program and a national laboratory, serving as a role model for underrepresented communities and advocating for diversity and inclusion. Additionally, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy has released a Federal Evidence Agenda on LGBTQI+ Equity, aiming to address the data gap on information about LGBTQI+ people collected by federal agencies and providing guidelines for agencies to consider evidence-backed questions while protecting individual privacy, security, and civil rights. [Extracted from the article]

We were 85 feet underwater and more than five miles off the Florida coast when the lights went out. It was night, and conservationist Craig Taylor and I had been [...]

The article provides information on the NEPTUNE observatory in Bremen, Germany, which consists of six underwater research stations. It looks at a deep-sea crawler used by the observatory to collect data on the ocean's chemistry and organisms. It highlights the importance of monitoring changes in storm frequency, ocean temperature and acidity in determining the ocean's cycles. An overview of the fiber optic cable connections used by NEPTUNE's research stations is also provided.

The article discusses the world's only undersea laboratory called Aquarius which is located 8 kilometers off the Florida Keys in the U.S. Particular focus is given to how the Aquarius is being used by divers and scientists in research to help reef conservation efforts. It also discusses how to enter the Aquarius, the protocols to be followed when inside the Aquarius, and the use of Aquarius in training National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) astronauts for working in space.

This article focuses on the North-East Pacific Time-Series Undersea Networked Experiments (NEPTUNE) conducted by University of Victoria ocean-modeling expert Richard Dewey in North America's Pacific Coast. Furthermore, if NEPTUNE is completed, 200,000 square kilometers of ocean floor off the coasts of Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia will become a vast undersea observatory. NEPTUNE will cover one of the most diverse and dynamic landscapes particularly on the Juan de Fuca tectonic plate. The NEPTUNE also monitors tectonic activities that triggers mild to strong earthquakes. Aside from the NEPTUNE project, project collaborators hatched two preliminary projects to test the parts before tackling the whole scope of the project: (1) Monterey Experimental Accelerated Research System (MARS); and (2) Victoria Experimental Network Under the Sea (VENUS). Despite the promising prospects of the program, NEPTUNE still faces an uncertain future. Finally, many of NEPTUNE's proponents that changes in the way it is used is the biggest problem facing ocean observatories.

Features the Hawaii-2 Observatory (H2O), an oceanographic research station in Hawaii, intended to carry out ocean sciences research. Oceanographic instruments installed in the observatory; Scientific value of H2O; Ocean research functions served by the facility.

Focuses on the advantages offered by oceanographic research stations to ocean sciences research. Types of current and planned seafloor observatory efforts; Information about various types of observatories specifically designed for different missions; Scientific value of ocean observatories.

The article offers information on the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory, an underwater training facility and a replica of the International Space Station which is designed to prepare astronauts for space gravity conditions.

The article presents summaries of several letters to the editor from previous issues, photographs of ocean explorer Fabien Cousteau at the Aquarius habitable underwater science lab, and corrections to the articles "Game of Drones" and "10 Questions" from the July 7, 2014 issue.

The article discusses the discovery of a bed of volcanic ash. The discovery has been announced by the workers at the Lamont Geological Observatory in Columbia State University. Through echo-recordings that have been made from an oceanographic research vessel indicated that there has been a double signal. A false bottom has been observed with a glassy ash that underlies the top sediment. They partially believe that the ashes were deposited in recent geologic time.

The article focuses on the Floating Instrument Platform (FLIP) which has been in use by the U.S. Navy for undersea acoustic research. It is discussed that FLIP is a 355-foot vessel which is towed into sea and flooded to make it flip as a 55 feet projection above the water. Also discussed are the features of FLIP which includes fresh water which can be made by the vessel itself by using lesser diesel. INSET: Unique Platform.

The article looks at the technology mounted in and on the hull of Australia's scientific research ship, RV Investigator, which were winched into place in a Singapore shipyard in May 2012. The ship, which is due for completion in 2013, will be 93.9 metres long and will be able to accommodate 40 scientists. Among of the features of the ship are its quiet machinery, a large gondola, and a couple of drop keels that contain scientific instruments.

This article focuses on the impact of Hurricane Katrina on the academic and scientific community of Louisiana. Despite the loss of some expensive equipment and a research center's roof, most of the facilities and oceanographic vessels owned by the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium in Chauvin weathered Hurricane Katrina. Its scientists were back to work within days. In contrast, facilities in New Orleans, which is some 60 miles from the Gulf's open waters, sustained far less damage from the hurricane itself. Substantial research losses there trace instead to the subsequent flooding, the extended absence of electrical power, and the long-term evacuation of area residents, says Paul Whelton, senior vice president of the Tulane University Health Sciences Center. Most New Orleans-area universities wrote off their fall semesters.

Focuses on the scientific value of a coastal observatory in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, intended to monitor oceanic and atmospheric conditions. Examples of natural process that cause weather forecasting problems; Infrastructures and technology used in deploying the coastal observatory; Areas of ocean-atmosphere interaction research proposed to be initiated in the observatory.

Focuses on the Long-term Ecosystem Observatory (LEO), a network of sensors taking continuous, real-time observations of the coastal ocean. Infrastructures and technology used in deploying LEO; Scientific purposes served by such oceanographic research facility; Plans of deploying other LEO systems across the United States.

Focuses on Circulation Obviation Retrofit Kits (CORK) observatories deployed by the Ocean Drilling Program's drill ship in seafloor boreholes to study the circulation of subseafloor fluids. Role of subseafloor fluid dynamics in regulating the chemical balance of the oceans and in forming huge ore deposits; Investments and infrastructures required when deploying CORK observatories.

Focuses on a the work of marine researchers at New Jersey's Tuckerton field station. The goal of the research to produce a detailed picture of the underwater environment; The use of a torpedo known as a Remote Environmental Monitoring Units (REMUS); The system of instruments on the bottom and in the shore lab known as the Long-term Ecosystem Observatory at 15 meters depth (LEO-15); The researchers ability to make physical and biological forecasts analogous to those their counterparts make on land.

The article reports that the 2020 Election Ballot of American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) will contain some changes to the Society's Constitution, in addition to nominations to fill seats on the Board of Directors, candidates' statements, and biographies. Topics discussed include clarifying the scope of ASEE's membership and work; and removing a reference to allowing the Board to determine when various officers are elected.

Reports on the financial and technical difficulties of installing the University of Hawaii's Deep Underwater Muon and Neutrino Detector on oceanographic research stations. Monitor of neutrinos by placing sensors under the Pacific Ocean; Reliance on the United States Navy's Submarine Development Group One; Assistance from the National Science Foundation for use of an undersea vessel, JASON; Lack of federal funding.

The article offers outlooks for federal policies on research and medical products in the U.S. The request of the National Science Foundation for the plan for oceanographic centers in colleges is likely to be pursued by the Congress. Pharmaceutical companies may be forced to issue licenses to competitors on any drug with profit margin exceeding to 400 percent. The Food and Drug Administration could gain more regulatory powers from its policy on strict performance standards for medical devices.

Robert Ballard's current research vessel, E/V Nautilus, was built in 1967, which actually makes it a year older than R/V Knorr, the ship he used to find the Titanic in [...]

Marinette Marine Corp. Marinette Marine Corp. (MMC) is nearing completion of the $200 million Sikuliaq, an ice-capable research vessel for Alaska. The vessel was launched in October 2012. The 261'x52'x28', [...]

The article profiles the U.S. Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI), a project to create several sites collecting chemical, biological, and other data about the oceans, noting Canada already has three such sites and has planned jointly with the U.S. in this area. It describes the Cabled Array, one component of the OOI which will collect data on the Juan de Fuca plate of the Earth's crust in the northeast Pacific Ocean.

The article announces the awarding of a five-year, 46.6 million U.S. dollars investment to enhance the Canadian government's support of Oceans Network Canada that builds critical ocean observing systems to study plate tectonics, tsunamis, ocean change, fish abundance and deep sea ecosystems.

The article lists civilian oceanographic research ships which are used as part of the fleet of the University National Oceanographic Laboratory System.

The article features the Aquarius Reef Base, the world's only underwater research station, located off Florida's coast. INSET: U.S. SCIENCE SPENDING.

The article offers information on the opening of a new Laboratory for Ocean Sensors and Observing Systems (LOSOS) at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI). It states that the laboratory provides, space for major efforts to create long-term ocean observatories. It mentions that laboratory will house researchers working on the Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI).

The article reports that a $97.7 million grant was awarded to Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution to help build networks of ocean observatories that can monitor conditions in critical coastal and remote open-ocean location in the U.S. The Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI), a $300 million project funded by the National Science Foundation will be launched with the help of the grant. Observatory systems is included in the OOI to study coastal ocean regions, a global ocean network and a cabled regional observatory extending off the Pacific Northwest coast.

The article focuses on the $350-million project designed to assist engineers better understand seismic events that take place at plate boundaries. The project will place seismic observatories in boreholes driven to depths of up to 3.8 miles below the seafloor at a major splay fault in the Nankai Trough, off the southwest coast of Japan. The first phase of the project was designed to collect information about the composition of ocean floor for use in future drilling expeditions. According to researchers, the second phase of the project is planned to begin in early 2009 once the first phase has been completed.

The article presents information on the research facility called Aquarius that is owned by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The research facility is operated by the National Undersea Research Center at the University of North Carolina. The research facility will be used by a team of U.S. astronauts to assess how man and machine can work together in extreme environments.

This article provides information on the function of the Deep-Ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunamis (DART) tsunami sensing system. Scientists have made great strides in monitoring and predicting the ongoing threat of tsunamis. One center continuously monitoring seismic events and changes in the tide level is the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii. Tsunamis are detected by open-ocean buoys and coastal tide gauges, which report information to stations within the region. Tide stations measure minute changes in sea level, and seismograph stations record earthquake activity. A tsunami watch goes into effect if a center detects an earthquake at 7.5 or higher on the Richter scale. If a threatening tsunami passes through and registers to the gauge station, a tsunami warning goes out to all potentially affected areas and evacuation procedures begin. The DART uses unique pressure recorders that sit on the ocean bottom--bottom pressure recorders (BPR). These recorders detect slight changes in the overlying water pressure. The DART system is capable of detecting a tsunami as small as a centimeter high above the sea level. The tsunami BPR uses a pressure transducer that includes a very thin quartz crystal beam, electrically induced to vibrate at its lowest resonant mode. INSET: News: U.S. announces improved tsunami sensing system.

The article focuses on the work experiences of underwater scientist Fabien Cousteau, with details including his work environment at his habitable underwater laboratory, his passion on studying sea corals and the challenges in maintain the oceans state.

Several quizzes are presented related to the topics of articles in the issue including the famous singers of the U.S. Constitution, the underwater science laboratory and the consideration of jumping jack as the state exercise in Missouri.

The article focuses on the experiences of scientist Fabien Cousteau who spent 31 days in an underwater science laboratory called Aquarius located off the coast of the Florida Keys, Florida in July 2014. Cousteau was joined by a team of researchers and filmmakers who studied the effect of pollution on marine life. Photographs of Cousteau and the underwater laboratory are presented.

The article features scientist Fabien Cousteau, a grandson of Jacques Cousteau, one of the first ocean explorers. Topics discussed information on an underwater science laboratory called Aquarius, located 63 feet below the surface, off the coast of the Florida Keys, Fabien's experience of living for 31 days at the Aquarius, and his mission to inspire others to study and help protect life underwater.

The article reports that Bruce Cantrell and Jessica Fain, associate professor and adjunct instructor, respectively, at Roane State Community College in Harriman, Tennessee will attempt to set a role record by spending 21 days in an underwater laboratory. It informs that the lab Jules Undersea Lodge is submerged near Key Largo, Florida. It informs that the pair will conduct half-hour interviews with astronaut Buzz Aldrin and other international renowned experts on all facets of marine science.

The article discusses the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Undersea Research Centre's (URC) plans to extend its echo repeater research. According to a NURC representative, the organization is testing prototypes of the Echo Repeater and the moored variant which is powered by high-efficiency lithium cells. Also, they are working on an armored utility vehicle (AUV) variant with 15 platforms to be integrated with the repeater.

The Canadian undersea observatory recovers from an outage, and its U.S. counterpart finally gets started. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]