Caterpillar sponsors OCEARCH, a leader in shark research

In February 2013, Caterpillar and OCEARCH agreed to a multi-year partnership to help propel the OCEARCH organization's global research on sharks. OCEARCH has led more than a dozen expeditions to safely research the breeding, feeding, migration and birthing patterns of these ocean creatures.

Chris Fischer, OCEARCH founder, and his vessel the MV OCEARCH, rely on Cat^® power in the water. The boat with its team of scientists and crew runs on two Cat engines and has three Cat generators on board that power an at-sea laboratory, custom-built hydraulic lift and 55,000 pound capacity research platform with the capability of handling 5,000 pound sharks.

Because OCEARCH's work occurs in waters around the globe, Fischer relies on the unmatched support of Caterpillar's network of dealers.

OCEARCH embarked on its first Caterpillar-funded expedition on February 23, 2013. After leaving Jacksonville, FL they spent 20 days at sea conducting critical research on great white sharks with leading researchers such as Dr. Greg Skomal of the State of Massachusetts and Dr. Robert Hueter of Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, Florida. 

During the Jacksonville mission, OCEARCH tagged and released Lydia, a 14 foot 6 inch mature, female Great White Shark weighing 2,000 pounds. Lydia was named after the founder of Bradley University, a long-time friend of Caterpillar.