Press Releases


June 30, 2009
Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology

"NATSUSHIMA" and "HYPER DOLPHIN"
Open for Public in Nago, Okinawa

The Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC: Yasuhiro Kato, President) is pleased to announce that our Research Vessel "NATSUSHIMA" and Remotely Operated Vehicle "HYPER DOLPHIN" will be open to the public at Nago Port, Nago City, Okinawa Prefecture. The open house is part of the 32st Nago Summer Festival, the annual event hosted by the Nago City Commerce and Industry Association.

Details

1.Date and time: July 25 (Saturday) 14:00 to 19:00 (End of registration : 18:30)
(Welcoming ceremony: 13:45 to 14:00)
July 26 (Sunday) 13:00 to 19:00 (End of registration: 18:30)
2.Venue: Nago Port, a wharf on the eastern breakwater side
3.Open Facilities: Research Vessel "NATSUSHIMA" (See Reference)
Remotely Operated Vehicle "HYPER-DOLPHIN" (See Reference)
4.Admission: Free. No pre-registration required.
5.Host: Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, Nago City
  Sponsor: Nago City Board of Education
  Cooperation: Nago City Commerce and Industry Association
Nago City Tourist Association
6.Notes: 1) The event may be canceled due to inclement weather or other emergency.
2) For safety reasons, visitors who are wearing high-heels or sandals, or those under the influence of alcohol will not be allowed entry, due to many levels and steps inside the ship.
3) Children ages 12 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
4) For the prevention and control of the new influenza, visitors are subject to temperature checks with a non-contact thermometer (it takes only a few seconds). Visitors with cold symptoms, such as coughing, sneezing or fever will be kindly asked to refrain from entry.

Reference

Research Vessel "NATSUSHIMA"

Length :67m
Beam :13m
Depth :6.3m
Draft :3.8m
Gross Tonnage :1,739 tons

Carrying a variety of advanced observational equipment, R/V "NATSUSHIMA" provides a scientific platform for comprehensive oceanographic observations and research of deep ocean basins and trenches. It also serves as a supporting ship for the "HYPER DOLPHIN," a remotely operated vehicle capable of diving to a depth of 3,000 meters. Prior to her current mission, the "NATSUSHIMA" supported operations of the 2,000-meter class manned submersible "SHIKAI 2000."
For details, please visit:
http://www.jamstec.go.jp/e/about/equipment/ships/natsushima.html



Remotely Operated Vehicle "HYPER-DOLPHINE"

Length :3m
Breadth :2m
Height :2m
Weight in air :3.8tons
Depth capability :3,000m

"HYPER-DOLPHINE" is an underwater robot equipped with a high-definition TV camera, which is capable of capturing images of the deep sea environment up to a depth of 3,000 meters. During the underwater survey conducted around the epicenter of the Sumatra Earthquake in February 2005, its high-vision camera revealed the extensive fissures and edges of collapse around the epicenter for the first time in the world.
Two remote manipulators of the vehicle can collect samples, and install/recover observation devices.
For details, please visit:
http://www.jamstec.go.jp/e/about/equipment/ships/hyperdolphin.html

Contacts:

(For the public open)
Shozo Tashiro
Manager, Public Relations Division
Shigeyuki Hirose
Manager, General affairs Division
Global Oceanographic Data Center (GODAC)
Data Research Center for Marine-Earth Sciences
Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology
(For Publication)
Noriyuki Murata, e-mail: press@jamstec.go.jp
Manager, Planning Department Press Office
Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology