URI Friends of Oceanography Invite Public to Come Aboard the Research Vessel Endeavor Narragansett, R.I. — June 19, 2001 –The URI Graduate School of Oceanography (GSO) will hold an Open House aboard the Research Vessel Endeavor on Saturday, June 30, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Bay Campus in Narragansett. The Living on the Edge exhibit in the Coastal Institute Building will also be open to the public. The event is sponsored by GSO’s Friends of Oceanography and the URI Office of Marine Programs. Visitors to the ship are invited to tour the bridge, galley, labs, and quarters and view the oceanographic equipment used by scientists from all over the world. A shuttle will be available to take visitors to the Coastal Institute Building where they can enjoy the interactive Living on the Edge exhibit and the spectacular view of Narragansett Bay from the building’s observation deck. The research vessel Endeavor was designed by John Gilbert Associates and was built by Peterson Builders, Inc., of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. She commenced her maiden voyage from Sturgeon Bay to Narragansett on October 28, 1976. In June of 1993 Endeavor returned to Peterson Builders for a mid-life refit. Over the next six-month period, the vessel underwent extensive modifications and renovations. When the refit was completed, the Endeavor was equipped with new deck laboratory space, a convertible laboratory stateroom, an electronics repair facility, and an expanded wet laboratory with an integral cargo handling boom. The bridge and chart room were completely new and the ship sported a new autopilot, navigation gear, data communications system, and emergency generator. The stern was extended 7 feet and new crane, anchor windlass and rescue boat davit were added. The vessel carries up to 18 scientists and technicians. The Endeavor is operated by the Graduate School of Oceanography through a contract with the National Science Foundation which owns the ship. With the capacity to stay at sea for 30 days and a range of 7,000 miles, Endeavor has traveled in the Atlantic Ocean as far south as Buenos Aires and as far north Spitsbergen. In the Pacific, she has traveled through the Panama Canal to Easter Island, the Galapagos and Hawaiian Islands, and South America. The ship has also helped scientists conduct research in the Mediterranean Sea. Living on the Edge is a unique permanent exhibit designed to bring an understanding of coastal ocean science and its social implications to broad audiences and expose children to exciting new scientific frontiers through numerous hands-on activities. Built with a $663,000 grant from the National Science Foundation, the exhibit focuses on traditional tools and new technologies being used to enhance practical understanding of the oceans. The exhibit includes eight multi-faceted interactive activity centers encompassing about 1,500 square feet and highlighting technology used to study the Gulf Stream, changing coastlines, and other coastal research conducted at GSO. Admission and parking for this event are free. For information on the URI Bay Campus Open House or for directions to the campus call Friends of Oceanography at (401) 874-6602 or the URI Office of Marine Programs at (401) 874-6211. Contact: Lisa Cugini, (401) 874-6642 lcugini@gso.uri.edu