The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) New England office, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and Coastal America have teamed up to offer the media and public a free open house tour of "Bold," the EPA's ocean survey vessel. The tours will take place Thursday, July 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the State Fish Pier #9 in downtown Newport, R.I.

A converted U.S. Navy 224-ft ocean surveillance ship, Bold collects samples of water, sediment and organisms for onboard or onshore processing. The EPA, then, can better monitor and assess the impacts of pollution and the health of coastal and ocean waters. The ship also conducts surveys to support management of dredge disposal areas and to collect information about ocean bottom habitats.

While visiting Rhode Island for the first time, Bold will conduct a four day survey of Rhode Island South and other offshore areas. Participating scientists represent the EPA National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory Atlantic Ecology Division in Narragansett, R.I.

For more information about Bold and this event, visit www.epa.gov/bold.

Source: EPA