Voyage of the Odyssey

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The Voyage of the Odyssey was a five-year global expedition designed to gather the first ever baseline data on levels of synthetic contaminants throughout the world’s oceans. It used sperm whales as indicator species for measuring the health of the seas. The findings will create a baseline understanding that will inform future scientific research and environmental policy planning. The R/V Odyssey is a ninety-three foot boat, which serves as the mobile research platform for non-profit, whale resarch group, the Ocean Alliance.

Dr. Roger Payne founder and President of the Ocean Alliance is best known for his discovery (with Scott McVay) that humpback whales sing songs, and for his theory that the sounds of fin and blue whales can be heard across oceans (a theory that has recently been confirmed by one of Payne’s students working with blue whales). He has studied the behaviour of whales since 1967. He has led expeditions to all oceans and studied every species of large whale in the wild. He pioneered many of the benign research techniques now used today to study free-swimming whales, and has trained many of the current leaders in whale research, both in America and abroad. He directs long term research projects on the songs of humpback whales, and on the behaviour of 1300 individually known Argentine right whales – the longest such continuous study. Payne publishes technical articles and writes for general audiences. One of his three articles in National Geographic Magazine contained a record of whale sounds for which 10.5 million copies were printed – still the largest single print order in the history of the recording industry. His publications include the book, “Among Whales” (1995) and three recordings: “Songs of the Humpback Whale” (1970 – still the best selling natural history recording in history), “Deep Voices”, (1975), and “Whales Alive” (1989 – compositions composed by whales but arranged and played by humans, in this case by musician Paul Winter). Payne has lectured at most major universities in the U.S. and England, and has appeared on most major TV and radio talk shows. He is a writer and presenter for television documentaries, and co-writer and co-director of the IMAX film “Whales”.

“The Voyage of the Odyssey: The project is helmed by Ocean Alliance…and with the use of high-tech cameras and rovers, they’ve set up a stunning interactive classroom in which students can, among other things, listen to sound files of sperm whales and video-teleconference with the ship’s crew. The site is meticulously curated and includes a photo gallery of the Odyssey’s findings, a real-time map to track the craft’s progress and regular audio dispatches by an on-board scientist.” SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN : May 27, 2003 Science and Technology Web Awards – 2003

The Voyage of the Odyssey website has been designed to be an interactive, educational adventure, allowing people all around the world to follow this amazing five-year journey via the internet. The award winning web series is a major part of the PBS (Public Television) website since June, 2000 and attracts up to 35,000 visitors each month and is frequently featured by America Online. While it is rich in material of interest to scientists, it is geared to a general audience and is especially intended to reach school children and their teachers. The Voyage of the Odyssey website incorporates many different educational features allowing people to learn about the purpose and procedures of the voyage.

Genevieve Johnson acts as the main education presenter writing and narrating Odyssey Logs from the vessel, broadcast about every other day. These logs discuss everything from whale behaviors and biology, the marine environment where the boat is positioned, dangers threatening these ecosystems, and the cultures of the areas the boat is visiting. The “Voice From the Sea” features the principal scientific investigator, Dr. Roger Payne, discussing issues important to whales and to all marine life. Produced, filmed and photographed by Chris Johnson, the site features extensive photos and videos from from the boat, underwater whale sounds and stories doucmenting many other aspects of life on the expedition allowing children and adults to join the crew.

“The Voyage of the Odyssey contributes to PBS’s core mission of providing high-quality public information, education, and technology innovations that advance public understanding, education, culture, and citizenship through free and accessible programming and educational services for the public.” Cari Ladd – Director of Online Education, PBS Interactive Division

Designed by Chris & Genevieve Johnson, the primary objectives of the educational and media program onboard the Voyage of the Odyssey are:

• To promote awe, curiosity and concern about whales and the ocean environment.
• To learn new things about whales and the oceans.
• To provide people with information they need to make intelligent decisions about the complex issues and policies affecting ocean life.

To visit the website go to: www.pbs.org/odyssey