Thousands of visitors stepped aboard the University of Liverpool’s research vessel, Marisa, to find out about the science of the ocean as part of the International Mersey River Festival this weekend.
The Mersey River Festival is one of the key highlights in the city’s calendar and this year an estimated 400,000 people flocked to the waterfront to visit ships of all sizes and to enjoy live music acts and events.
For the second year running, the University ‘s research vessel, Marisa, and scientists from the School of Environmental Sciences and the National Oceanography Centre invited visitors aboard to explore the science of the sea and find about some of the creatures that live in the docks.
Science of the sea
Jonathan Sharples, Professor of Ocean Sciences and head of the School’s outreach activities, said: “This year’s event was more popular than ever and provided a great opportunity for us to share with visitors the enjoyment and excitement of studying the science of the sea.
“More than 1000 people visited us on Marissa over the weekend and learnt about the research cruises which she undertakes in the Irish Sea, as well as work we have been doing on larger research ships out in the open ocean. It was also a great way to share with people the opportunities there are at the university to study ocean science and marine biology.
“The team were also able to use an ocean robot, or Remote Operated Vehicle, from the National Oceanography Centre. Children were particularly keen on using this, piloting it deep in the dock to explore the remarkable life growing on the dock wall.”
Professor Sharples shows visitors to Marisa what sea life lurks in the Mersey.