Here’s some good news sailing into the West Bay. It is the arrival of NOAA’s Okeanos Explorer, which is planned to dock on October 17th at Quonset Point. Pier One in Davisville will be the home port for the research vessel for at least the next ten years. The ship is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s joint effort with URI’s Inner Space Center and other centers, like the Institute for Exploration (IFE) in Mystic, CT, throughout the US to explore the depths of the ocean. URI’s future Telecommunications Center, positions this area as a leader in developing in scientific and technological advancements. The satellite communications will enable information and research to be accessible to an expansive group of people. Scientists and the university population that will be able to participate in this new interesting exploration as the ship explores many different areas. This is the start of a new frontier for Rhode Island based exploration and culminates the work over the past decade by Senator Jack Reed. Saturday’s expected docking is the first time the ship will nestle up to its home port. Work on this area employed several folks over the past years and has brought several full time jobs to the area. 
According to NOAA’s site, “Okeanos Explorer, “America’s Ship for Ocean Exploration,” is on a course to be the only U.S. ship assigned to systematically explore our largely unknown ocean for the purpose of discovery and the advancement of knowledge. Telepresence, using real-time broadband satellite communications, will connect the ship and its discoveries, live with audiences ashore. Visit the NOAA Marine Operations Center Okeanos Explorer page for the latest operations and crew information.”
According to NOAA’s site, “Okeanos Explorer, “America’s Ship for Ocean Exploration,” is on a course to be the only U.S. ship assigned to systematically explore our largely unknown ocean for the purpose of discovery and the advancement of knowledge. Telepresence, using real-time broadband satellite communications, will connect the ship and its discoveries, live with audiences ashore. Visit the NOAA Marine Operations Center Okeanos Explorer page for the latest operations and crew information.”
This area of Narragansett Bay has continually been making efforts to be on the cutting edge of marine and aquatic research and technology, proving that there is more to the Ocean State than just beaches and surfing. We should keep an eye out for more of these developments with the Inner Space Center as it paints a new light on the area. This should make Narragansett Bay even more of a destination than it was before.
