On July 4th, 2010, the Atoll Institute released
Episode 2 of its Maritime Fleet information video
series, entitled "The Tungaru Expedition." Plans
are announced to secure a "small ship" for the one-year
expedition to film and document sea level rise and its
impact on the atolls and islanders in the Equatorial
Central Pacific.
On January 17th, 2009, the Atoll Institute's president,
Robert W.G. Grosz, left for Washington, DC, by way of
Tampa, FL, Miami, FL, and Brooklyn (Crown Heights), NY.
The purpose of this road trip is to secure release of
the Marty, Charlie, and three other vessels that are
currently held on donation reserve at Suisun Bay, CA.
On September 4th, 2008, the Atoll Institute's
president, plus Mr. Thomas Gordon, a Hollywood
cinematographer, director and editor, toured
and videotaped two NOAA (National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration) ships in or near Seattle.
The Okeanos Explorer is a NOAA oceanographic research
ship currently undergoing sea trials prior to being
repositioned to Hawaii for deep seabed research.
Commanding Officer Pat Patano showed the Okeanos to the
Atoll Institute personnel. They were then escorted
to Naval Station Everett for a tour of an Okeanos sister
ship, the ex-USNS Assertive, which NOAA will be
transferring to the (GSA) General Services
Administration. The Atoll Institute is therefore
contemplating application to the GSA to obtain donation
of the Assertive for reactivation as an oceanographic
research and humanitarian relief ship to serve the
central equatorial Pacific atoll islanders, and
positioning at Tabuaeran (Fanning) Atoll, located 1,000
nm south of Hawaii.
On July 22nd, 2008, the Atoll Institute's
directors toured several decommissioned ships at the
Suisun Bay Ready Reserve Fleet (near San Francisco).
These included a 180' buoy tender, the
ex-USCG
Planetree WLB-307, for which a Conveyance Agreement
was signed to accept her forthwith on donation from the
USCG. Additionally, the 224' sonar surveillance
ship ex-USNS
Triumph T-AGOS-4
was inspected and
determined to be potentially viable for use as a
maritime training and oceanographic research ship.
Also, a 109' ocean going tug
ex-USS Tuscumbia
YTB-762 was inspected and determined to be suitable
for oceanic towing. Finally, a 250'
covered barge was inspected and deemed viable.
Accordingly, the Atoll Institute is now focusing on
procuring these vessels and the funding required for their
reactivation.
On July 3rd, 2008, the CAS Foundation, Inc. of Indiana executed a Vessel Conveyance Agreement with the Atoll Institute
thereby conveying its claim to title and possession of a
decommissioned United
States Coast Guard 180' buoy tender, which we intend
to rename the R/V
Martin Vitousek (aka the "Marty") and operate as a
maritime training and oceanographic research ship in
support of a proposed pilot reclamation project
(sustainable dredging and filling) on Tabuaeran
(Fanning) Atoll, midway between Hawaii and Tahiti in the
Northern Line Chain of the Republic of Kiribati.
On March 24, 2008, the Internal Revenue Service
issued to the Atoll Institute an
Advance Determination Ruling. All tax
donations from the date of incorporation are tax
deductible under provisions of the Internal Revenue
Code.
On February 28, 2008, the California Franchise
Tax Board issued to the Atoll Institute an
Exempt Determination Letter. All tax donations
from the date of incorporation are tax deductible under
provisions of the California Franchise Tax Code.
On September 1st, 2007, the Atoll Institute
headquarters were moved to downtown Los Angeles from San
Marcos in San Diego County, California. Efforts
are now underway to attract suitable candidates to serve on the
Boards of Directors and Governors. Anyone
interested in becoming a Director should email us
at:
info@atollinstitute.org
On December 3rd, 2006,
Mr. Robert Grosz landed on Tabuaeran
(Fanning) atoll as a passenger on the cruise ship
Norwegian Wind to: 1) inspect the Cable Station, which
is operated as the Meleagi Tabwai Secondary School; and
2) deliver the Institute's proposal to the school
principal, Ms. Raine Aretaateta, and the Legislative Assembly
Member, the Honorable Mr. Tinia Mariano.
Postcards commemorating the event were printed and
are now being sold by the local Postmaster on Tabuaeran
(Fanning) Atoll
(Mrs. Katrina Toom), and are also distributed to
tourists by the Ms. Raine
Aretaateta, but proofs of them may
be viewed below:
u
Port of Call
(298 kb)
u English
Harbour (325 kb)
u Nabari
Islet Road (427 kb)
u Nabari
Islet Bridge (388 kb)
u Whalers'
Cove (335 kb)
u The
Cable Station (420 kb)
On May 31st, 2006 the Atoll Institute was incorporated,
and its main
organizational objectives for the ensuing 2 years are the:
u filing of our 501(c)(3) charitable
tax status applications;
u constitution of a highly qualified Board of Directors;
u
establishment of an eminent Board of Governors;
u
assembly of a multidisciplinary Editorial Board;
u acquisition of a 60 foot or
larger offshore-equipped ketch
to be berthed in Los
Angeles and renamed the R/V
Tungaru;
u assembly of a TV documentary and photography team;
u
acquisition of diving and deep sea surveying equipment;
u
recruitment of a capable and well-intentioned crew;
u
sea trial and shake-down of the
R/V Tungaru and crew;
and
u
provisioning and casting-off of the R/V Tungaru Expedition.
