NOAA's Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary to Host Live Webcasts
from the Shipwreck Montana

Armchair archeologists across the globe can experience the thrill and excitement of undersea exploration during a series of "Live Dive" webcasts July 14 from NOAA's Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

Through support from a NOAA's Preserve America Initiative Grant, Sanctuary archeologists will invite the public along as they explore in real-time the shipwreck of the Montana, a wooden freighter from the late 1800s that burned and sank in Thunder Bay. Today, the Montana is one of over 200 well-preserved submerged historic sites in "Shipwreck Alley," an area of northern Lake Huron known for extreme weather and dangerous shoals.

Viewers will be able to interact live with divers 70 feet below the research vessel RV Storm by submitting email questions at Immersion Learning. Three webcasts will take place from the wreck throughout the day, exploring the maritime history and archaeology of the site. Each program will highlight different themes including underwater research techniques, diving technology, and the study of Great Lakes health and ecology through NOAA observation platforms.

In partnership with Immersion Learning, a division of Sea Research Foundation Inc., the live webcasts will air Wednesday, July 14 at 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 3 p.m. EST on the Immersionlearning.org Web site, as part of a sanctuary initiative to provide greater access to America's underwater treasures. Additional information, including lesson plans and activities for students can be found on Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary's Web site .

In addition to the webcasts on Immersion Learning available to anyone via the internet, audiences will be able to watch the programs at four venues around the country that will take part in extended interaction with the dive team: the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center in Alpena, Mi; Ann Arbor (Michigan) Hands-on Museum, Milwaukee (Wisconsin) Public Museum, and Mokupapapa (Hawaii) Discovery Center.

Along with NOAA Preserve America and Immersion Learning, the project is being conducted in partnership with the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries Maritime Heritage Program, the Great Lakes Environmental Research Labs, the Great Lakes Naval Memorial and Museum, and the National Association of Black Scuba Divers.