Issued: October 10, 2013
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PRESS RELEASE
Titanic Belfast OEC Manager Susan Heaney joins Titanic discoverer Dr. Robert Ballard on-board E/V Nautilus
Titanic Belfast’s Ocean Exploration Centre manager Susan Heaney has been selected to become an Educator at Sea on Titanic discoverer Dr. Robert Ballard’s exploration vessel Nautilus this month.
Susan, born in Co Donegal, will be joining the Nautilus Corps of Exploration from October 21 to 29, for the Montserrat leg of the vessel’s Caribbean Seaexpedition.
She will be the first Irish woman to board the famous vessel as an Educator at Sea,for a role she describes as an “opportunity of a lifetime”.
Susan will stand watch alongside scientists and engineers, as well as participate in live interactions with shore-based audiences via Exploration Now, a 24-hour interactive online portal, bringing expeditions from the field to both experts and future explorers ashore, via telepresence technology.
Exploration Now is currentlystreaming live in Titanic Belfast’s Ocean Exploration Centre (OEC), which Susan has managed since the iconic Titanic visitor attraction opened in Belfast, Northern Ireland, in March 2012.A live interaction with Susan on-board Nautilus will take place in the OEC on October 26 at 3pm.
During the Montserrat leg of the expedition, the teamwill collect samples using their state-of-the-art ROV (remotely operated vehicle), investigate several unexplored underwater volcanoes and even use their equipment to explore two villages which were completely swept into the sea by a volcanic eruption in 1997.
Learning of her selection following an intensive qualification process undertaken earlier this year, Susan said:“I am so excited to be joining Nautilus because, by broadcasting the expeditions live in Titanic Belfast’s OEC and online, it’s the perfect opportunity to fill our guests with the enthusiasm for ocean exploration whicheveryone involved in this project has.”
Titanic Belfast CEO Tim Husbands said: “It is a great achievement for Susan, and for Titanic Belfast, that she has been chosen to be an Educator at Sea on the exploration vessel Nautilus. Her experience on the ship will give us a great insight into the important research work Dr. Robert Ballard continues to conduct in our oceans, as well as benefitting our overall education offering at Titanic Belfast.”
Expedition Leader and OET Vice President, Dr. Katherine Croff Bell, said: “One of the major goals of our Nautilus Exploration Program is to inspire the next generation of explorers in STEM fields.
“So we’re very excited to provide educators and students with the direct experience of pure exploration, while allowing them the opportunity to share their experience far and wide with their peers.”
To follow the expedition, visit Titanic Belfast’s Ocean Exploration Centre or follow live on-line at
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About the Nautilus Exploration Program
The Nautilus Exploration Program was founded in 2008 by Titanic discover Dr. Robert Ballard.
The international exploration program centers on scientific exploration of the seafloor launched from aboard the Exploration Vessel Nautilus, a 64-meter research vessel currently based in the Caribbean Sea, and additional research vessels.
In addition to conducting pure scientific research, the Nautilus Exploration Program offers telepresence to explorers on shore via live video, audio and data feeds from our ships.
The Program also includes an education component that brings educators and students on ocean expeditions.
About Titanic Belfast Ocean Exploration Centre Manager Susan Heaney
Susan Heaney is the Ocean Exploration Centre manager at Titanic Belfast.
She is responsible for the development and operation of the Ocean Exploration Centre within the exhibition, and also for the creation and implementation of the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) elements of the Titanic Belfast learning strategy.
Susan graduated in 2004 from Letterkenny Institute of Technology with a BSc (Hons) in analytical science followed by a post-graduate diploma in research practices, and she is currently working towards completing a PhD in marine biotechnology.
Susan is also Titanic Belfast’s liaison with Dr. Robert Ballard, discoverer of the wreck of Titanic.
Susan will be joining the team on-board Nautilus to investigate the impact of volcanic eruptions on the seafloor around the islands of Montserrat and Dominica in the Caribbean Sea, and investigate how local biological communities have responded to these eruptions.
The Nautilus team will collect samples using their state-of-the-art ROV (remotely operated vehicle), checking out several unexplored underwater volcanoes and even using their equipment to explore two villages which were completely swept into the sea by a volcanic eruption in 1997.
About Titanic Belfast
Titanic Belfast is an iconic six-floor building featuring nine interpretive and interactive galleries that explore the sights, sounds, smells and stories of Titanic, as well as the City and people which made her. It is the world’s largest Titanic exhibition.
The building houses temporary exhibits, a banqueting suite, education and community facilities, catering and retail space, and a basement car park. Visitors learn about the construction of RMS Titanic and the wide and rich story of Northern Ireland’s industrial and maritime heritage.
Supported by the Northern Ireland Executive, Titanic Belfast is a unique public/private partnership funded by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, Belfast City Council, Belfast Harbour and Titanic Quarter Ltd. It is operated by Titanic Belfast Ltd and owned by the Titanic Foundation Ltd.
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For further information, or to interview Susan Heaney, please contact:
Alex McGreevy
Media Relations Executive
Titanic Belfast
Tel:07557 641097 or 07966 276 993
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