Oxnard, CA, November 22, 2005 – BIRNS, Inc., makers of the high-performance BIRNS Snooper II, announced today that its lights have been featured in the Institute of Nautical Archaeology's new book, Beneath the Seven Seas: Adventures with the Institute of Nautical Archaeology (Thames and Hudson, New York and London, 2005).

This beautiful book takes the reader around the world with thrilling accounts of amazing shipwrecks and sunken cities, including a 3,300 year-old royal ship off Turkey's Aegean coast; the infamous pirate stronghold of Port Royal, Jamaica; and shipwrecks deep in the Black Sea. A spellbinding book on our seafaring heritage, Beneath the Seven Seas also describes the tragic loss, within sight of their loved ones, of seamen returning home to Portugal in 1606 at the end of a two-year voyage.

Beneath the Seven Seas is packed with full-color action photos by renowned Institute of Nautical Archaeology underwater photographer Don Frey, and includes work by Cemal Pulak, Donny Hamilton, Fred Hocker, Susan Womer Katzev, Robert Ballard and Cheryl Ward. The book is edited by George F. Bass, INA founder and now Distinguished Professor Emeritus at Texas A&M University.

“We’re proud to be associated with this fascinating archaeological work”, said Eric Birns, CEO. “Underwater archaeology demands high-performance lighting, which is one of BIRNS' strengths. We're thrilled to have been chosen by INA for their underwater lighting requirements.”

Founded in 1973, the Institute of Nautical Archaeology at Texas A&M University is perhaps the world center for nautical archaeology. It maintains its leadership position by disseminating knowledge of civilizations' evolution obtained by its archaeological research into location and excavation of submerged or buried ships and submerged ruins.

Beneath the Seven Seas is available in bookstores, and online at Amazon.com. It is also available at a deeply discounted price for INA members.

Founded in 1954, BIRNS, Inc. of Oxnard, CA, is a leading manufacturer of high-performance lighting and connector systems for deep-ocean and nuclear use. In addition to lights, BIRNS manufactures connectors in six different ranges, including Aquamate wet-mateables and Millennium high-density deep-submergence styles.