Aquarius expertise and technical support commended by US Navy Vice Admiral
This story entered on 31st Jan, 2007 08:25:30 AM PST

COMMANDER, NAVAL SEA SYSTEMS COMMAND

The Commander, Naval Sea Systems Command takes pleasure in commending

National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration and
University of North Carolina at Wilmington
UNDERWATER SATURATION HABITAT
“TEAM AQUARIUS”

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

For superior performance while providing technical liaison to the Supervisor of Salvage and Diving, Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D. C. , from December 2003 to December 2006. The National Oceanographic & Atmospheric Administration and University of North Carolina at Wilmington underwater habitat "Aquarius" led by the Team's pioneering vision assured the ultimate success of ten Navy saturation missions for 43 Navy divers that encompassed a total of 1200 hours underwater. The unique "Aquarius” underwater habitat and NOAA operational regimes enhanced the Navy's saturation diving proficiently. The combined efforts and expertise in saturation diving of the "Aquarius Team" contributed to significant steps forward in military diving, saturation diving technical capability, and enhanced mission effectiveness for the Navy saturation diving community. Additionally, the Navy Diving Program gained extensive knowledge and experience that is being applied during the Naval Sea Systems Command's development of procedures to employ the first ever Fly Away Saturation Diving System. The "Aquarius" team reflected great credit and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

P.E. Sullivan
Vice Admiral, United States Navy

*Aquarius is owned by NOAA and is operated by the NOAA Undersea Research Program’s (NURP) Undersea Research Center at the University of North Carolina Wilmington.

Contact information
Name: Karen Kohanowich
Tel: (301) 734-1006
Karen.Kohanowich@noaa.gov