HARBOR BRANCH - OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

HURRICANE JEANNE INFLICTS NEW DAMAGE AT HARBOR BRANCH

FT. PIERCE -- Sept. 28/04 -- Harbor Branch has once again taken a substantial hit. The most significant new damage resulting from Hurricane Jeanne was to the laboratories that house the institution's drug discovery program, which had escaped Hurricane Frances almost unscathed. In addition, building damage from Frances was in many cases exacerbated despite extensive preparations. Nonetheless, once power is restored, all divisions will be able to resume work. Previous damages have been estimated at about $30 million, and new estimates are not yet available.

The heaviest new damage occurred at the Link Building, which houses administrative offices as well as much of the Biomedical Marine Research Division's drug discovery program and the Environmental Laboratory commercial subsidiary. A large portion of the building's roof was damaged, allowing a great deal of rainwater to enter offices and laboratories. However, thanks to preparation with plastic sheeting, most data and equipment will likely be saved. The building will require a new roof and air conditioning system, but several options for temporary relocation of affected labs and offices are available.

A number of aquaculture greenhouses were further damaged in the latest storm, but all research animals, as well as animals raised by the Oceans, Reefs, & Aquariums subsidiary were saved.

Because clean-up and repair crews had been set up to work on both emergency and permanent repairs for Frances damage, major new recovery work has already begun with remarkable progress, including the removal of water and fallen ceiling material from offices and labs in the Link Building.

"Frances was the dress rehearsal," says Shirley Pomponi, Harbor Branch acting managing director, "We've hit the ground running after Jeanne."

On Wednesday, the Marine Mammal Research and Conservation Division will be resuming its dolphin photo-identification program to determine the hurricane's effects on the Indian River Lagoon population. Three days prior to Jeanne the group conducted a survey and was unable to locate a single dolphin in the St. Lucie area. Wednesday they will be focusing on the Titusville region to determine if dolphins have been moving north as expected and to assess their health. "The influx of freshwater from the storms has got to be devastating to the dolphins' food supply," says Gregory Bossart, the division's director, "and it also compromises the dolphins--they can't handle more than about 72 hours of exposure to freshwater."

The Harbor Branch campus is closed this week to all but employees directly involved in clean-up and repair efforts. No employees should report for work unless specifically asked to do so by their supervisor. Postdoctoral students will not be able to return to on-campus housing until power is restored. Information about the status of recovery efforts and when to return is available to employees and other campus users by calling the emergency information hotline at 1-800-404-2915. Campus tours and most on-campus educational programs remain suspended until further notice.

Harbor Branch continues to work with state and federal legislators, insurance adjustors, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to secure funds needed to make repairs, but additional support will be essential as the institution completes its recovery.Ê A hurricane relief fund has therefore been established to accept donor gifts. For information about the fund, or to make a donation, please call 772-465-2400 ext. 204 or go to www.hboi.edu/stormsupport once power is restored and Harbor Branch websites are back up and running.

Escorted reporters are now authorized to tour campus, but only by appointment. Please contact Mark Schrope at 772-216-0390 to make arrangements. Photos and b-roll of hurricane damage are available.

HARBOR BRANCH Oceanographic Institution was founded in Ft. Pierce, Fla., in 1971 to support the exploration and conservation of the world's oceans. The institution has held to this mission and grown into one of the world's leading oceanographic institutions with a 500-acre campus, over 200 personnel, and a fleet of sophisticated research ships and submersibles.