Marine census bit by bit

OCTOPUSES, sting rays and other marine creatures may soon have their first encounter with a personal computer (PC). Bruce W Macdonald, a marine engineer at the Australian Institute of Marine Science in Townsville, Queensland, has developed a WetPC that can help divers to count fish, check maps and diagnose equipment flaws. The WetPC is mounted on the diver's tank and is connected to a mask-mounted display and chest-mounted keyboard. If linked to an underwater modem, the computer can communicate with other WetPCs and computers on the surface, cutting down on expensive time spent underwater.