The new Centre is fully funded by SAMS and the volunteer divers. One of our principle consultants is Nikki Buxton, MSc, who will provide her expertise in the Marine Life Sciences.

With the arrival of our 14m Catamaran and the acquisition of a small Remote Operated Vehicle ROV rated to 150 metres we will be able to explore not only the coastal areas but can also probe the deeper waters.

MERC welcomes all divers local or military who want to participate in our work which is primarily to explore , photograph and increase our knowledge of the waters that surround the Islands.

The Marine Exploration and Research Centre (M.E.R.C.) was formed in January 2007 to bring together the Wreck Survey Group and the other marine survey and activities that the group have been involved with.

No funds have been requested as M.E.R.C. is fully supported by S.A.M.S. and its volunteer local divers.

As a group we have been involved in the discovery, location and video/photographic surveys on many wreck sites.

One member of the group, D. Eynon was involved in the original Falkland Islands Baseline Survey conducted in 1995 on behalf of the Falkland Islands Government, providing not only local knowledge but the majority of diving equipment so that safe diving could take place.

Members have been involved in the research work being carried out by the Fisheries Department on Urchins.

We have assisted the British Antarctic Survey in two recent projects, one to do with marine organism adaptation and the other to conduct dive surveys on ship's hulls for alien species.

We have collected hundreds of minutes of video footage and photographs and have produced two videos which have sold well.

We have written some articles for diving magazines and are now finishing two articles for the Diver Magazine and the Australian Sport Diving.

By the end of this year a booklet about Diving in the Falklands with a species guide will be produced. The book is entitled 'Beneath Falkland Waters'. About 80% of the photographs for the book are now complete.

S.A.M.S. has a new 14 metre Catamaran which is being built in England. Besides the boat being utilised by S.A.M.S. the boat will also be available for Inshore Fisheries Research, Shallow Marine Surveys, Wreck Surveys etc, and of course the work of M.E.R.C.

Safety is a very crucial part of diving and we always carry onboard oxygen and have on stand-by the S.A.M.S. Recompression Chamber.

All diving equipment is tested and serviced in accordance with UK rules/regulations.

We also have an Exhibition Area set aside in the Boathouse Gallery for showing the work of M.E.R.C. together with a large number of photographs of the marine life beneath Falkland Waters.

We welcome all divers civilian and military provided they are suitably qualified to dive.