2009 Tours & Demonstrations

Miguel Goni

All tours are free.

Research vessels and US Coast Guard vessels at the dock will be open for tours/display between noon and 4pm.  No tickets needed.

At 12:30pm and 1:30pm, Oregon State University oceanographer Miguel Goni will give dockside talks explaining the research he will be doing on the R/V Wecoma when it sets sail on Monday, June 29. "Connections between the Land and the Sea - River Sediments off the Oregon and California Coasts".

All other tours meet at the Tour/Information booth

Tour Schedule:

Science gear on display as part of the ships tours.

Molluscan Broodstock Facility Tour (60 min) at 11:30 am & 2:00 pm
The aquaculture program at HMSC is focused on several different research topics. These include the Molluscan Broodstock Program (MBP) that is designed to improve broodstock of Pacific oysters through selective breeding so that the public can be supplied with better oysters. There will be tours of the MBP hatchery and nursery showing how algae and oysters are cultured.

Seawater System Tour (30 min) at 11:00 am, 1:00 pm & 2:30 pm
Tour of OSU’s water filtration facilities will include an overall tour of the seawater distribution system. A skilled technician will take visitors through the circuit through which one million gallons of water flow daily as it is pumped, stored, filtered, distributed and cleaned. They will see the computer monitoring system, the UV and sand filters, and the alarms that keep things operating.

Aquatic Animal Husbandry Tour (45 min) at 11:00 am, 1:00 pm & 2:30 pm
During the tour of HMSC Visitor Center facilities/ Animal Husbandry facility in the back wing of the Visitor Center, visitors will follow an Aquarist and see how animals and exhibits are prepared for display. The “behind the scenes tour” consists of walking down to the west wing area and explaining the work of supporting the animals in the Visitors Center through hospital, quarantine and animal management areas as well as supporting the aquarium sciences program at the community college through education and hands on work.

Estuary Trail Walks at 10:15, 11:45 am & 2:30 pm
The Estuary Walk is about 1-mile long and follows a paved path. It will be led by an experienced HMSC interpreter who will show the plants, animals, and forces that make estuaries some of the most important and productive habitats in the world.

At the Dock (12-4 pm)
• Research vessels (see schedule for details)
• Coldwater Survival Suits & Raft
• Fixing a leaking boat (US Coast Guard - ongoing)
• ODFW Marine Resources Program exhibits:
“Real Live Dead Fish” Identification including rare deepwater species (tentative); live shellfish displays; crab pots in the water

Ship tours – at the dock between 12pm to 4pm (ongoing). Visitors are invited to tour R/V Pacific Storm and learn about this vessel’s use in tracking whales. Visitors are also invited to step aboard the R/V Elakha

Dock Talk with oceanographer Miguel Goni, OSU College of Oceanic & Atmospheric Sciences “Connections Between the Land and the Sea - River Sediments off the Oregon and California Coasts” at 12:30pm & 1:30 pm