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New EPA Research Ship Docks in Philadelphia

Release Date: 08/04/2006
Contact Information: Mike Frankel (215) 814-2665

PHILADELPHIA - - Donald S. Welsh, regional administrator for EPA’s mid-Atlantic region, today hosted a tour of EPA’s new Ocean Survey Vessel Bold. The 224-foot ship docked at Penn’s Landing is a floating scientific laboratory that helps EPA monitor public health and environmental threats to oceans, bays, and coastal waterways.

“EPA is very proud and excited about our newest tool for use in protecting our oceans and coasts,” said Welsh. “The Bold is a state-of-the art survey ship, equipped with the latest technology to support monitoring and educational efforts necessary to preserve the quality of our oceans and coasts.”

The Bold carries an array of sophisticated instruments to collect data on the environmental health of our oceans and coastal waters. A converted Navy vessel, the Bold boasts onboard laboratories, sonar, underwater cameras, diving, dredging and sampling capabilities. The 19-mmber crew supports the ship and the work of up to 20 scientists.

Data collected on the Bold helps scientists assess how human activities such as shoreline development, land-based pollution sources and discharges from ocean vessels to marine environments. The ship collects research data in the waters of the Atlantic, Pacific, Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico.

The Bold helps EPA monitor a wide range of conditions such as degradation from excessive nitrification, the health of coral reefs and the impact of ecological disturbances such as harmful algae blooms. Other include monitoring the effects of wastewater discharges and the disposal of dredged materials.

The Bold is a floating classroom for students of all ages and conducts a Teach the Teacher program as well. Demonstration surveys and tours educate the public about ocean and coastal environmental issues.

Scuba divers are also trained and certified on-board the Bold as part of EPA’s dive program. The divers then support EPA’s monitoring, survey and enforcement efforts.

The OSV Bold is EPA’s only ocean and coastal monitoring vessel. The ship is 43 feet wide, has a cruising speed of 11 knots, a range of 3,000 nautical miles and displaces 2,300 tons and has a maximum draft of 15 feet.

The public is invited to tour the OSV Bold, Friday August 4, from noon to 4 p.m. or Saturday, August 5, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Admission is free, adults must present photo ID, and kids 12 and over must present school ID. The Bold is docked at Penn’s Landing, waterfront at Market Street.

For more information on the OSV Bold, go to: www.epa.gov/bold

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