Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution
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The Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, also commonly referred to as HBOI, is a private non-profit oceanographic institution located in Fort Pierce, Florida, USA. Founded in 1971 by John Seward Johnson I, Harbor Branch is located on a 600-acre (2.4 km²) campus along the Indian River Lagoon. Its staff includes over 200 scientists, engineers, mariners, and support personnel.[1] The institute has a $40 million endowment and research grants totaling $15 million a year. Institution assets include a 204-foot (62 m) research vessel, a pair of submarines with the ability to reach more than half-mile under the ocean and a library of 47,000 sponges and microorganisms. "Harbor Branch may be known best for its scientists' discovery of the Challenger space shuttle rocket booster on the ocean floor -- the smoking gun that proved a faulty O-ring caused the 1986 explosion."[2] The Institution is "among three organizations in America, and six in the world, that run manned deep-sea submersible research vehicles along the ocean floor."[2] Harbor Branch is currently in the process of merging with Florida Atlantic University (FAU) to become the HBOI at FAU.[3]
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[edit] Divisions
The Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution consists of the following seven divisions:
- Aquaculture
- Biomedical Marine Research
- Engineering Research and Development
- Marine Operations
- Marine Science
- Marine Mammal Research
- Conservation
[edit] Florida Atlantic University
In 2004, following successive hurricanes and the loss of its annual funding from the family of the institution's founder, Harbor Branch began looking for alternative options to continue its operations and reduce its debt. State and local officials stepped into help when it was announced that an outside company was considering purchasing some of the HBOI's riverfront property for development. Following negotiations, the institution decided to reject the developer's proposal in favor of a proposal to merge with Florida Atlantic University.
In November 2006, Florida Atlantic University opened an $11 million joint use marine science center on the campus of the HBOI. This 40,000-square-foot (3,700 m²) facility includes laboratories and supporting infrastructure to focus on marine science.[4]
During the 2007 legislative session, the State of Florida allocated $8.5 million in yearly recurring funds and $44.6 million in one-time construction costs in order to fund this proposal. In the proposed deal FAU will be deeded 125 acres (0.51 km²) and the institution's infrastructure, including its employees. All employees would be guaranteed employment for one year. St. Lucie County and the State of Florida have also agreed to purchase the remainder of Harbor Branch's undeveloped property. This will enable the HBOI to further pay down its debt and ensure that its undeveloped land is preserved. A unique benefit of this merger is that as a part of Florida's university system Harbor Branch would be eligible for a state match of all awards and grants received.[3]
[edit] References
- ^ Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution - History. Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution. Retrieved on 2007-05-27.
- ^ a b Bierman, Noah. "Harbor Branch institute becoming part of Florida Atlantic University", Herald-Tribune, 2007-06-18. Retrieved on 2007-07-09.
- ^ a b Reed, Charlie. "Work begins on merger plan for Harbor Branch and FAU", Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers, 2007-05-17. Retrieved on 2007-05-27.
- ^ Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution (2006-11-13). "FAU and Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution Host Dedication Ceremony for New Marine Science Building". Press release. Retrieved on 2007-05-27.
