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EPA Research Ship Open for Public Tours in New London on August 24

Release Date: 08/20/2002
Contact Information: Andrew Spejewski, EPA Press Office, 617-918-1014

NEW LONDON, CONN. – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's ocean survey vessel Peter W. Anderson will be docked at Fort Trumbull in New London on Saturday, August 24th and will be open to public tours from 2 - 5pm.

The 165-foot vessel will be open free to the public courtesy of Coastal America, the Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration and the Connecticut State Department of Parks.

EPA staff and guest scientists will be on-board to explain the workings of the ship, provide demonstrations of equipment and answer questions.

"This is a great chance for families to learn about our ocean and how real working scientists at EPA study it," said Robert W. Varney, regional administrator for EPA's New England Office. "We're inviting anyone - of any age - to come out and see what we're doing with the Peter Anderson."

The Anderson began service in 1966 as the USS Antelope, a naval patrol gunboat designed to carry missiles and cannon for blockades and surveillance. The vessel was converted to a scientific vessel for the EPA in 1979 and was renamed after an EPA scientist. The ship conducts surveys and monitoring along the coast using side-scan sonar, water sampling, plankton tows, trawls and bottom grabs.

Directions to Fort Trumbull State Park are available at http://dep.state.ct.us/stateparks/parks/fort_trumbull.htm#Directions