Local students were wowed with the exploits of marine biologists in Monterey, California, and the waters around Bermuda thanks to satellite and Internet link ups this week.

The ninth Jason Project got underway at the Bermuda Biological Station for Research (BBSR) on Monday with live broadcasts up to three times a day, courtesy of local sponsor Cable and Wireless.

Bermudian marine biologist Robbie Smith spoke from a coral reef across Castle Harbour in a simultaneous conversation with another biologist who was in shallow water in Monterey Bay.

Students saw the contrast between the murky kelp forest in Monterey and the clear coral and sandy bottom 30 feet down off Nonsuch Island.

Wearing a specially designed dive helmet that allowed for two-way communication and the live video feed from Monterey, Dr. Smith's features could be distinguished almost as if he were in the same room.

When questioned by a student about how much it took to become a marine biologist, Dr. Smith said: "Nine years of university and then on the job training.

"In some ways I never stopped learning. And I hope you never stop too!'' he added.

A broadcast last week did not show the Bermuda Argonaut, Warwick Academy student Jeffery Steynor.

Mr. Steynor, 14, is in Monterey helping scientists study the effect of the rogue weather pattern El Nino on the vast Monterey Bay, especially the fast growing kelp species.

Locally, seven teenagers acted as student researchers, spending the two week period of the broadcasts at BBSR and diving up to three times a day.

BBSR Education Officer Helle Patterson told The Royal Gazette a Jason Project cameraman was so impressed with the student researchers, he took it upon himself to e-mail organisers in California to tell them how hard they worked.

"We think they deserve to be called Argonauts too!'' she said.

More than 100 students from Harrington Sound, Warwick Academy, and West End Primary sat before a bank of computer screens and three large projection screens.

There were exclamations at some of the more dramatic footage, particularly when a large creature, looking too much like a shark, cruised behind Dr.

Smith.

When the local students, most nearly of middle school age, got the correct answer to the world's smallest living marine organism, there was a ripple of satisfaction across the room.

Dr. Smith's broadcast began with two of the student researchers hovering in the background, David Bean of Whitney Institute and Sarah Lusher of Mount Saint Agnes.

All of this year's Jason Project Argonauts and student researchers had to be qualified divers and kept a dive log in keeping with this year being the International Year of the Ocean.

The event was hosted by Titanic discoverer Robert Ballard who also founded the Jason Project. In his farewell he told thousands of potential scientists: "Progress! Let's keep it up.'' Entries from their diaries and other Jason Project information can be downloaded from BBSR's Internet site at http://www.bbsr.edu or from the Project's site at http://www.jasonproject.org. The live broadcasts run until March 27 and are open to the general public for $5 for adults, and $3 for young people. Tickets are available at the door.

Anyone interested can call for reservations at 297-1880 ext. 238/241 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.