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Anchors Aweigh! Charter Your Own Cruise!
These popular programs offer memorable hands-on lessons on the water.  The Maritime Aquarium’s 40-foot research vessel, Oceanic, is inspected and approved by the U.S. Coast Guard.  Each cruise lasts about 2 1/2 hours.  Additional paid Aquarium admission is optional. Programs can be adapted to meet specific objectives and time frames. . Passengers must be over 42" tall.
Marine Life Study Cruise:

Offered Sept. - early Nov. and April -June.
Departing at 9 a.m. and/or 1 p.m.
Study marine biodiversity from the water’s surface down to the bottom for a first-hand understanding of Long Island Sound's interdependent marine life. Students utilize such sampling techniques as a plankton tow, biodredge, mud grab and otter trawl that may bring up fish, crabs, lobsters, sea stars and more. A video microscope and touch tank onboard enhance observations. Capacity: 31.  Cost: $550.
Ask about the pre-cruise activity guide when you make your reservation.

Need financial assistance? Download the Group Financial-aid Form and either email it or mail to: The Maritime Aquarium, 10 North Water Street, Norwalk, CT 06854; or fax it to: 203-852-8892.
Winter Creature Cruise:

Offered Dec. - April
Cruise dates for 2011-12 School Groups - TBA
Dates and departure times are tide-dependent.

Study winter biodiversity, including waterfowl and plankton, as you seek out some of the growing number of seals that winter in Long Island Sound. Learn about the seals and get a broad picture of how the Sound's animal population changes in the winter -- which animals swim south, which bury in the mud and which have adapted to the cold. Dress very warmly!  Capacity: 25. Cost: $350.
About Study Cruises:

Cruises can occur in rain, cold and wind, and are canceled only if conditions are dangerous. Please dress accordingly!
All observations made on study cruises are recorded. This data is part of an ongoing student-based research project called the Long Island Sound Biodiversity Study. See the Aquarium web site for more details.
Booking Your Cruise:

To book your group’s cruise, please call the Aquarium’s Reservations Department at 203-852-0700 ext. 2206 during regular business hours; or eMail reservations@maritimeaquarium.org Cruises are also available for individuals.

Biodiversity Database

What is Biodiversity?
The Long Island Sound Biodiversity Database is a searchable web resource to monitor trends on Long Island Sound. Partners collecting data include The Maritime Aquarium, SoundWaters, SoundKeeper and the Bridgeport Aquaculture School.

Data is collected on 125 species of marine organism and water quality variables including pH, salinity, temperature, turbidity and dissolved oxygen. You can go to the database at the link below and run your own reports.
Click on this link. http://tma.evendata.com. The public user name is Public User and the password is password. They are case sensitive.

For more information on how to use the database or involve your group or class to collect data, please contact Joe Schnierlein at 203-852-0700 ext. 2352.”