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Maritime Aquarium Cruises Study Creatures From The Depths Of The Sound

NORWALK, Conn. — Visitors to the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, one of Fairfield County's top tourist destinations, can now take a two-and-a-half hour study cruise out on Long Island Sound on a new 63-foot all-aluminum catamaran.

Children found baby crabs and fish, eggs, and other marine life on a study cruise at the Maritime Aquarium.

Children found baby crabs and fish, eggs, and other marine life on a study cruise at the Maritime Aquarium.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
The Maritime Aquarium's brand-new, all-aluminum research vessel.

The Maritime Aquarium's brand-new, all-aluminum research vessel.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
The bridge goes up so the boat can pass under to start the cruise.

The bridge goes up so the boat can pass under to start the cruise.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
A cruise instructor shows a map of Long Island Sound.

A cruise instructor shows a map of Long Island Sound.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
Children look over the back of the boat as the crew prepares to pull up a net filled with marine life.

Children look over the back of the boat as the crew prepares to pull up a net filled with marine life.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
An instructor shows how a Sand Crab holds on to whatever it can.

An instructor shows how a Sand Crab holds on to whatever it can.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
Crew members pull up a crate full of rocks, mud and sea life from the bottom of the Sound.

Crew members pull up a crate full of rocks, mud and sea life from the bottom of the Sound.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
Crew members examine microscopic sea life, and show it on a projector.

Crew members examine microscopic sea life, and show it on a projector.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
Kids got to examine sea life under a powerful microscope.

Kids got to examine sea life under a powerful microscope.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
A visitor holds a baby crab dredged from the bottom of the Sound.

A visitor holds a baby crab dredged from the bottom of the Sound.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
Children examine the rocks, mud and various microscopic organisms pulled from the bottom of the Sound.

Children examine the rocks, mud and various microscopic organisms pulled from the bottom of the Sound.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
Looking right into the eyes of a Horseshoe Crab.

Looking right into the eyes of a Horseshoe Crab.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
An instructor shows how the Horseshoe Crab grips.

An instructor shows how the Horseshoe Crab grips.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
A cruise instructor talks about the Horseshoe Crab pulled from the bottom.

A cruise instructor talks about the Horseshoe Crab pulled from the bottom.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
Children on a study cruise pose with one of the cruise instructors and a horseshoe crab that was pulled up during the cruise.

Children on a study cruise pose with one of the cruise instructors and a horseshoe crab that was pulled up during the cruise.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman

Cruises run Wednesdays through Sundays and offer visitors the opportunity to study marine life from the Sound — from the water's surface straight down to the bottom.

Participants use such sampling techniques as a plankton tow, bio-dredge, mud grab and otter trawl that could bring up fish, crabs, squid, skates and more. A video-microscope and touch tank on board enhance the observations.

A large number of children, of various ages, took sail on a recent cruise, which was sold out.

Advance reservations are recommended, and the cost is $29.95 per person.

For more information on the cruises and on the Maritime Aquarium, go to www.maritimeaquarium.org.

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