On 5 December 2007, media representatives from Finland, Russia, Estonia, Latvia, Poland and Germany came to Helsinki harbour to visit the research vessels Franklin, Pollux and Triad. In December 2007, these three vessels were working in the Gulf of Finland to complete Nord Stream’s seabed survey. After an introduction to the pipeline project, the journalists were guided around for a comprehensive overview, from the bridge to the survey rooms of each boat.

On deck, the equipment in use was introduced: the Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) with underwater cameras, magnetometer array and side scan sonar on the Pollux, sub-bottom profiler and multi-beam echo sounder on the Franklin. Using state-of-the-art technology, Nord Stream is conducting what is likely to be the most extensive survey ever of a defined path across the Baltic Sea.