UM Rosenstiel School’s Scientific Dive Training Facility Completed

The University of Miami (UM) Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science has completed construction of a state-of-the-art Scientific Dive Training Facility, The Splash, on its Virginia Key Campus.

As one of the few facilities of its kind in the nation, the new scientific dive training facility will expand the school’s capability in underwater research and education by training scientists and students with the necessary scientific diving skills and technology in accordance with the American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS) standards.

In addition to the core classes taught for scientific diving, UM Rosenstiel School will be the first university to offer scientific freediving in accordance with the new Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) standards for freediving as a research tool. Freediving has many applications to enhance underwater research activities such as experimental larvae research, coral outplanting, shark research and marine mammal observations.

“Scientific diving is key to our marine science programs and research projects,” said UM Rosenstiel School Dean Roni Avissar. “Having a facility on our campus that will facilitate training of our scientists and of future generations of scientists, will help the school fulfill its mission of advancing world-class research and education and our commitment to solving pressing problems through relevant interdisciplinary research.”

Scientific diving has facilitated many of the groundbreaking discoveries that have led to our current understanding of the marine environment and complex ocean processes. The 75-by-50 foot in-ground freshwater pool has a uniform depth of 15 feet and is located on the school’s waterfront shoreline facing Biscayne Bay.

With this enhanced capability, the Rosenstiel School is positioned to expand its capacity for accommodating more students in undergraduate and graduate programs.

Major funding for the project was provided by The Miller Family, Saiontz Family, Colleen and Richard Fain, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. and Diane and Chris Towle.