There are no live fish or even a slight chance of leaving the building wet, yet visitors to the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute (BUEI) will feel as if they've seen and done it all. Created with the aid of some of the world's finest oceanographic and maritime experts, the facility boasts interactive exhibits featuring the latest sound and video technology, a simulated dive to the bottom of the ocean floor and enough information on marine life to warrant a return trip. Located on East Broadway, the 40,000 square-foot facility was designed to "amaze, excite, inform and inspire'' every visitor, leaving them with "a new understanding and appreciation of the worlds' oceans, their beauty and power, their diversity in plant life and animal life, and their importance to the very survival of our planet.'' A tour does just that. On entering the museum lobby, visitors are met with three steel chandeliers modelled after oceanographic instruments and which provide a brief introduction to the sea and Bermuda's underwater heritage. A glance to the floor reveals a giant map of the Island in blue marble chips, while a glimpse to the left enables one to admire a magnificent stained glass window, depicting a compass rose -- the BUEI logo. Visitors to the BUEI follow a one-way path which leads to each exhibit. "The building is completely wheelchair accessible, even the dive simulation, and has been designed so people have the feeling that they're walking around a ship,'' explained BUEI marketing and sales director Chris Heslop. "It's equipped with portholes and a bridge. One exhibit area leads to the next and it involves a lot of multi-media and interaction. Contrary to what some people believe, we are not an aquarium. We have no live fish and no underwater experiences. Most are simulated.'' First stop, The Ocean Revealed, introduces visitors to underwater exploration at the global level. A giant photograph of a crashing wave with descriptions of the physical, biological and chemical aspects of the ocean and their effect on weather patterns is used to launch the marine experience. An open air display called Explorers' Rail is a tribute to great underwater explorers such as William Beebe and Jacques Cousteau, and showcases such objects of interest as BeeBe's original hardhat suit from the 1930's. Various samples of aquatic life are displayed through interactive film, video and computer simulations. Underwater Bermuda is where visitors to the museum have their first interactive experience. "This is where we talk about the water around Bermuda,'' said Mr. Heslop. "Through touch screen computers, visitors can ask what it is like to dive in waters around Bermuda.'' In this section, visitors can take a "reef ride''. A vehicle designed like a flat submersible, and which makes it seem as if one is underwater, driving a sea sled around the reefs. Videos are later available for purchase. Next stop is a custom-built Interactive exhibits add to the experience Lightbourn has collected approximately 7,500 different shells and 5,000 species. He also discovered 300 species, ten of which were new to science.

"Science at Sea (the next stop), is where we talk about how science research is conducted in the ocean,'' said Mr. Heslop. "It is designed similarly to a laboratory with five interactive stations -- pollution, climate, phenomena, marine life and resources.'' A centre table featuring a map of the earth, shows the different positions of ocean research vessels and also points out all various ocean research centres. From there, persons go on to experience the highlight of their visit -- a simulated dive to 12,000 feet. While the faint of heart have the option of taking the stairs, the daring are carrelled into groups of 20 and taken to a briefing area set up like the control room of a deepwater submersible, called the garage. Role playing staff members and a video introduction begin the adventure. A rapidly moving elevator gives the sensation of rising and falling. Combined with video footage of marine life, as found at its actual sea level, a change in light and temperature, it's the closest simulation yet of a real diving experience. Said Mr. Heslop: "After eight minutes, visitors are one floor below the exhibit as if they are on the bottom of the ocean floor. As they walk through, they see exhibits which relate to different levels of the ocean. Lighting, sound effects and the whole feel is very important. We're really trying to convince people that they are at the very depths of the ocean. Motion sensors give different sounds of animals in the ocean and drills give actual ocean sounds which add to the experience.'' "They exit to a dark hallway and what appears to be ocean waves, to the ocean depths, the base of Bermuda's seamount. Here, we have a three-dimensional model showing the ocean floor and how Bermuda sits on the top of a volcano.'' The three dimensional acrylic cube, which visitors can touch, provides information on global plate tectonics and Bermuda's origins, both geological and biological. Next stop is The Deep, an exhibit on how plants, animals and humans survive in deep waters. Light is limited, just as it is at a depth of 4,000 to 5,000 metres and, another interactive experience, the Laser Diver, is designed to show just how difficult it is to find objects at that depth. Joysticks are posted at its front which control lasers inside.

The idea is to control the lasers and discover the twelve different ocean-bottom objects inside the cube; things such as whale carcasses and ten-foot tube worms. When a discovery is made, the object lights up and live footage of the subject is revealed. Moving toward the surface, visitors next reach the Middle Depths. Here, the focus is primarily bio-luminescence. A three-wall mural in matte black and white of 150 species of fish is illuminated to make it look as if the fish are glowing. Personal movie theatres enable views of 360 degree movies, and a row of motion sensor poles are activated as people pass by, emitting such underwater sounds as the whale song. Next come the Shallows where things get a bit brighter. Here, the topic is our reef system and how important it is to the Island. Adjoining, a shipwreck exhibit discusses five specific wrecks and displays part of famed diver Teddy Tucker's collection of wreck artifacts. Leaving, visitors are greeted by a 360 degree panoramic picture by Scott Stallard which gives the impression of returning to land. If looking forward, one faces sandy beaches, if looking behind, there's an ocean view. Music, specially composed with the word ocean pronounced in different languages is played to conclude

27 A multi-purpose facility is also capable of hosting board meetings, special dinners and receptions in either of its two upstairs rooms -- the Cable and Wireless Marine Room or the Royal Caribbean Room. With boardroom seating of 18 and 16 respectively, each is equipped with audio and video equipment, telephone and computer outlets, teleconferencing facilities and high speed Internet access made possible by Internet Bermuda Limited -- a first on the Island. The walls are lined with cases for ships' models and a private kitchen area makes dining -- whether breakfast, lunch or dinner, simple. Trade Winds, an auditorium capable of seating 145, will show educational films daily, but will also be available for meetings and lectures. The entire area has been designed with every multi-media capability available. Lap top computers may be used to project computer images onto a large screen, and lights, vocals and screen movement is controlled through a Crestron touch panel remote control. It is planned that independent films will be shown in the coming months, although not as a means of competing with existing theatres. La Coquille, an upscale French restaurant run by the Little Venice Group, will serve food daily. Lunches will have a more casual menu, while dining at night will be more elegant. With alfresco and indoor dining available, it's a welcome addition to Bermuda's restaurant selection. Two gift shops round out the offerings at the BUEI. The Logo Shop has a wide range of BUEI merchandise, everything from leisure and sportswear, to books and interesting items linked to Gillbert, the museum's mascot. The second store, The Oceans Gift Shop, will be more of a typical museum store with reproductions of artifacts, a special line of jewellry created for the Institute, t-shirts and posters. General admission is $9.75. Friends of the We're open $1,000), enter free. Interested persons may contact the Institute at 292-7219.

The Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute is now open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. PHOTO Informative chandeliers greet BUEI patrons, while underfoot, a map of Bermuda BUEI Sales and Marketing Manager, Chris Heslop The Compass Rose, the logo of the BUEI William Beebe's hardhat suit from the 1930's BUEI Sales and Marketing Manager, Chris Heslop at the beginning of the simulated dive to 12,000 feet Some of the artifacts recovered from ship wrecks on display at the BUEI A sailing vessel on display at the BUEI created by famed diver, Teddy Tucker Friends always enter free! A six-gilled shark discovered by diver, Teddy Tucker is the Institute's mascot, Gillbert A list of founding donors line a wall of the Institute BERMUDA UNDERWATER EXPLORATION MUSEUM MINI SUPPLEMENT SUP