SUBMERSIBLE LAUNCH PLANNED AT HARBOR BRANCH FORT PIERCE, FL., MARCH 31, 2000 Ð A unique submersible that will be used to take tourists on underwater excursions to depths of 250 feet will be launched Monday morning, April 3, from the sub bay into the main channel at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution. Planned launch time is 10am. The media is invited to attend this event, which will be closed to the general public. The submersible, "The Looking Glass", which has been at Harbor Branch for major overhaul, modifications, and refitting, will be taken to a yet-to-be determined tourist location by its owners, Looking Glass Marine. It is 65 feet long, and 17 feet high from the bottom of the submersible to the top of its conning tower. "The Looking Glass" submersible is a true submarine, certified by the American Bureau of Shipping and the U.S. Coast Guard, capable of taking up to 46 passengers and three crew to depths of 250 feet for dives of up to one hour in duration. "The Looking Glass" is outfitted with underwater touring lights and side viewports that give anyone inside an amazing view of the sea depths. Technically, it is an engineering marvel, with reduntant life-support systems and numerous other safety features. Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, Inc. is one of the world's leading nonprofit oceanographic research organizations dedicated to the exploration of the earth's oceans, estuaries and coastal regions for the benefit of mankind.