We are thrilled to share an update with our Teleportal community!
Ocean Escapes Round 2 – A Huge Success 🎉
This past month, we completed Round 2 of Ocean Escapes, connecting hundreds of pediatric patients across Australia to the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef through our underwater robots.
Thanks to our partnership with the Starlight Children’s Foundation, children were able to take control of our ROVs (remotely operated vehicles) and explore the reef in real-time. The joy and curiosity we witnessed was incredible.
One highlight was this beautiful story captured at the Queensland Children’s Hospital:
Ollie, a young science enthusiast, joined the livestream and amazed everyone with his ocean knowledge. While piloting the robot, Ollie discovered an anemone, schools of fish, and coral. He was astonished to learn that coral is an animal, not a plant! At one point, he even spotted something so large we thought it might be a shark. After half an hour of exploring, Ollie exclaimed: “When I got out of bed to go to hospital today I didn’t think I would be driving a drone under the sea! This is awesome.”
Stories like this remind us why Ocean Escapes exists—to bring adventure, science, and hope to children during their hospital journeys.
Robots Heading North for Biomass Surveys 🌊
Our hardworking robots are now preparing for their second job: conducting biomass surveys in a remote area of the northern Great Barrier Reef. This important work helps researchers better understand and protect the reef’s ecosystem.
While the robots are away, they won’t be available for user sessions on Teleportal. But don’t worry—we’ll let you know as soon as they’re back and ready for new adventures!
In the Meantime… Watch the Green Island Fish Cam 🐠
To keep the ocean connection alive, we’ve set up an underwater webcam at Green Island. You can still get your daily reef fix and watch the fish live at:
Thank you to everyone in our community for supporting Teleportal and Ocean Escapes. Together, we’re creating unforgettable moments for children and advancing vital reef science at the same time.
