NORFOLK — The city and the Nauticus Foundation will officially launch the Ship Experience Access Room aboard the Battleship Wisconsin with a ribbon cutting Friday.
The Ship Experience Access Room was developed for visitors that want to experience the Battleship Wisconsin, but are unable to physically take the tour, according to a news release from Nauticus.
IPConfigure, a global video surveillance software company headquartered in Norfolk, donated the surveillance system equipment, software and labor needed for the project with their partners, including Axis Communications and ScanSource Security.
Built in the former administrative office of the Wisconsin, the SEAR creates a virtual tour of the ship through the use of video surveillance equipment.
Designed to mimic a control center, the room is equipped with four, high resolution monitors with individual access to IPConfigure’s video surveillance management software, Orchid Fusion, according to the news release.
Visitors are able to sit at a station and create their own tour of the Wisconsin as they navigate through the software.
“With 20 cameras online, IPConfigure has opened up almost 10,000 square feet of space to about 20 percent of visitors that simply can’t navigate ladder stairs down three decks and back up”, said Clayton Allen, Wisconsin’s operations manager.
A soft opening of the new exhibit was held during the Battleship Wisconsin reunion in September.
IPConfigure staffed the Experience Room and had the opportunity to sit with veterans that were unable to tour the ship. As the veterans navigated through the software and accessed the live cameras, they were able to share stories of their time in the Navy and on the Wisconsin.
With the official opening to the public, the Ship Experience Access Room is able to honor the history and preservation of the Battlefield Wisconsin, and enable more visitors to experience one of the last battleships built by the Navy, according to the news release.
The ribbon cutting will be at 8:30 a.m.
