FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA (December 3, 2008) –The Waitt Institute for Discovery and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution have joined forces to launch the CATALYST Program, making available for the first time a versatile and highly portable deep-sea tool kit and operations team, which can be rapidly deployed anywhere in the world. This unprecedented collaboration features the Waitt Institute’s two newly built Hydroid REMUS 6000 Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), which can explore depths of up to 6000 meters, or 3.7 miles, below the ocean’s surface. These innovative multi-sensor platforms are equipped with high-tech survey instruments capable of recording critical oceanographic data, photo-imaging deep-sea features, and producing detailed sonar maps of the ocean floor.

The inaugural CATALYST expedition launches on December 4, 2008 and draws on the scientific expertise and resources of Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute at Florida Atlantic University to explore Florida’s vulnerable and rare deep coral reefs. The CATALYST ONE expedition will utilize the CATALYST AUVs to create the first-ever high definition side-scan sonar maps of deep-water Lophelia and Oculina coral reefs. The expedition will be led by Dr. John Reed of Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, who has been studying and working to protect these deep corals for over 30 years.

“These Deep Sea Coral Ecosystems are under immediate threat from destructive bottom trawling and other fisheries impacts, “ said Dr. Reed. “Ultimately, the CATALYST ONE expedition will provide us with much-needed data to help protect these fragile reefs as Marine Protected Areas and as Habitat Areas of Particular Concern.”

For initial expeditions, the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute is also bringing their ocean exploration expertise and resources to the CATALYST program in the form of expedition logistics and science plan development. CATALYST ONE will also see the utilization of Harbor Branch’s research vessel R/V Seward Johnson as the first CATALYST AUV launch vessel.

“AUVs are quickly proving to be the most versatile, efficient, and transformative technologies available for exploring the oceans,” said Ted Waitt, founder and president of the Waitt Institute for Discovery and founder and former chairman of Gateway, Inc. “Our goal is to help implement these vehicles in a way that accelerates and advances deep-sea exploration, cutting-edge scientific research and sustainable ocean policy.” As the founder of the CATALYST Program, the Waitt Institute for Discovery commissioned the construction of two REMUS 6000 AUVs and currently directs the implementation of CATALYST expeditions.

The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution developed and engineered the REMUS AUVs and has assembled a rapid-response operations team with the expertise to conduct REMUS 6000 expeditions anywhere in the world. “Through the use of deep-diving AUVs and a dedicated operations team, the CATALYST Program establishes a full-time, long-lasting, high-tech knowledge center for interdisciplinary research of Earth’s oceans,” said WHOI President and Director Susan Avery.

About the Waitt Institute for Discovery
The Waitt Institute for Discovery is a non-profit research organization that serves as an exploration catalyst, enabling scientific pioneers to transform the ways in which discoveries are made. The Waitt Institute for Discovery implements innovative technologies in the field through collaborations with world-renowned scientific institutions, synthesizing global expertise and accelerating groundbreaking research. Founded in 2005 by Ted Waitt, The Waitt Institute for Discovery seeks to advance human understanding of the past and secure promise of a better future through exploration and discovery.

About Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution is a private, independent organization in Falmouth, Mass., dedicated to marine research, engineering, and higher education. Established in 1930 on a recommendation from the National Academy of Sciences, its primary mission is to understand the oceans and their interaction with the Earth as a whole, and to communicate a basic understanding of the oceans’ role in the changing global environment. For more information, please visit: http://www.whoi.edu

About the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute at Florida Atlantic University
Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute at Florida Atlantic University is a research institute dedicated to exploration, innovation, conservation and education related to the oceans.  Harbor Branch was founded in 1971 as a private non-profit organization. In December 2007, Harbor Branch joined Florida Atlantic University. Florida Atlantic University opened its doors in 1964 as the fifth public university in Florida. Today, the University serves more than 26,000 undergraduate and graduate students on seven campuses strategically located along 150 miles of Florida’s southeastern coastline. Building on its rich tradition as a teaching university, FAU maintains a world-class faculty and is comprised of ten specialized colleges. For more information, please visit: http://www.hboi.edu