 |
Scientific Diving, Subtidal Research and Underwater Research
The Wrigley Marine Science Center on Catalina Island is an ideal location for underwater research and offers convenient access to nearshore and open water environments. The island labs are situated on Big Fisherman's Cove where a marine life refuge, established in 1988, offers soft clean sediment, kelp forests and a wide diversity of marine life. The waters just a short distance offshore are deep enough for blue-water diving.
Waterfront facilities at the lab are equipped to support scientists who need to use scuba or snorkeling for their research. Waterfront facilities include scuba cylinders, air fills and safety equipment. Nitrox in standard and custom blends is available to qualified divers.
Research at the Wrigley Marine Science Center and within the marine refuge must be approved by the WMSC Laboratory Manager, Lauren Czarnecki: you can reach her by email at lauren.czarnecki@usc.edu or by phone at (310) 510-4002.
Underwater research plans also must be cleared with the WMSC Dive Safety Officer, Gerry Smith: you can reach him by email at gsmith@usc.edu or by phone at (310) 510-4022.
Underwater research at the Wrigley Marine Science Center requires an active research diving certification for every member of a diving party.
For information about fees, rentals and other costs, check here.
For information on space availability, contact Katie Chvostal, WMSC Event Coordinator, at (310) 510-4015.
Scientific Diving Program
The USC Wrigley Institute conducts a university diving safety program in accordance with the standards of the American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS). USC is an organizational member of the AAUS, and we recognize dive certifications at other AAUS institutions through reciprocity. Nitrox training workshops are available to divers in the USC scientific diving program and in other AAUS programs. For details, please contact the dive safety officer at the Wrigley Marine Science Center. You may also look at our Dive Safety Manual (2.2MB PDF File) or download the dive log spreadsheet (14 KB Excel File).
Pages in this section
Spotlight
Your Diving Equipment
For safety reasons, you must provide your own dive gear to conduct underwater research at the Wrigley Marine Science Center.
The following equipment is required:
A mask and snorkel, fins, gloves, booties, hood, exposure suit (wet or dry), weight belt and lead, regulator with redundant second stage (also known as an "octopus"), buoyancy compensator, pressure gauge, depth gauge, timing device, compass, cutting tool and a slate capable of holding an 8.5" x 11" data sheet.
The following equipment is recommended:
A calculator, extra pencils, dive light, Cyalume "glow sticks" for night dives and replacement items for a "save-a-dive" kit.
You will need an active research diving certification to conduct underwater research at the Wrigley Marine Science Center.