Statement of Mission

The Marine Exploration Society is a not-for-profit organization that was formed in 1994. Our mission is to increase awareness and knowledge of the waterways of the earth.

Officers and advisors

Keith Koppelman is the director of the Society and also serves as boat captain. Advisors to the Society come from many different disciplines including documentary film making, marine science, business, and computer technology.
Special thanks to:

Ronen Yaari: technical editor of NetGuide magazine
Jordan Ross: Business and finance consultant
Jeff Wayman: cinematographer
Greg Marshall: special projects director for National Geographic television
Lauren Nadler: Computer graphics specialist
Lee Koppelman: Director of the Center for Regional Policy Studies

Facilities

In it's first year the Society bought and equipped two boats for marine research and film making. One is a thirty-three foot sailing trimaran called the Cosmic Hippo. The other is an eighteen foot rigid bottom inflatable similar to the rescue boats used by the Coast Guard. Both are exceptionally stable for use in open water. Stability is important not only for comfort, but also for creating a steady platform for filming and deploying scientific equipment.

 

The Cosmic Hippo is available to research and educational groups for a fee of $2500/week

The Cosmic Tender (RIB) is available for $1000/week.

 

Research activities

The small fleet owned by MES proved itself during the summer of 1995 supplying support for a National Geographic expedition to the Gulf of Mexico. The film makers, aided by scientists from Texas A&M University, conducted a study of sperm whales and developed techniques for attaching video-cameras directly to the cetaceans' backs. These specialized cameras are called crittercams and have been used on seals, sea-turtles, and sharks. In another location, the Marine Exploration Society again aided the crittercam team. This time working with great white sharks in the marine sanctuary surrounding the Farallon Islands of California.

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