The Tungaru Expedition is planning to depart in 2007 from the shores of California  towards the Line Islands chain, which is the easternmost chain in the Republic of Kiribati.  The expedition objectives are to land on and film at each atoll in Kiribati, inhabited or not, to produce a documentary series on the effects of sea level rise on the atolls and islanders, and to begin to establish a visual archive of these atolls for future Kiribatese generations.  Moreover, the documentary series is intended to appeal to the international public for help.  Separate episodes of the documentary are planned as the expedition moves westward to the virtually uninhabited Rawaki (Phoenix) Island chain in the middle of the nation, which is now designated as a world heritage site and nature preserve.  Finally, the expedition will reach the Gilbert Islands chain, which is the traditional homeland of the Kiribatese people.

Additionally, several other atolls adjoining the Republic of Kiribati will be explored, and several deep seabed samples of manganese nodules will be collected along the way.  Manganese nodule collection and processing could become a major industry in Kiribati. Accordingly, Kiribatese islanders, scientists and industrialists will be invited to participate.  Moreover, script development for the documentary series is already underway, and thus it is hoped that an announcement will be made shortly regarding the designation of a famous actor to serve as a narrator of the documentary series and spokesman for the Atoll Institute.

Meanwhile, the Atoll Institute has been actively engaged in seeking a suitable vessel, which will be named "Tungaru" in recognition of the traditional name of the Gilbert Islands.  Over the past year at least half a dozen firm offers have been made on ketch rigged sailing vessels ranging in size up to 62 feet, including the vessel that is pictured in the left margin.  However, the search for the right vessel, on the right terms and price, remains ongoing.

People and institutions that might be interested in participating in the expedition are cordially invited to enquire for further details about opportunities that may exist for them.  Likewise, information on the availability of a suitable vessel would be greatly appreciated.