Camera Records Abundant Life in Long Beach Harbor

The Algalita Marine Research Foundation recently conducted a successful ocean test of "Portals to the Sea", an audio-visual communications system that records both video and audio of marine life education in real time.

Beneath the ORV Alguita, marine awareness instructor Mike Schaadt of the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium pointed out an impressive assortment of sea creatures while conducting a live narration. The scene was captured by AMRF's Bill Macdonald who videotaped fish, pipe horses and octopus while simultaneously recording the live narrative of Schaadt. The live teaching technology is made possible by employing special masks equipped with communications devices designed by Ocean Technology Systems.

The images with Schaadt's informative description were broadcast topside on a TV monitor on the deck of the ORV Alguita. In the future these live sequences with be micro-waved from the ORV Alguita ashore to the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium's auditorium where students will be able to witness the live feed and ask live questions. This new technology is part of a program dubbed Portals to The Sea sponsored by Carson BP to help educate students about the Los Angeles watershed.

Posted: 11/15/04

Resources

• Watch a sample video.(3.5 MB, 2minutes and 11seconds)