President Shimon Peres on Tuesday sailed on one of sixty crafts in Eilat's harbor from Israel and Jordan, in an unusual effort to advance oceanic research in the region. The crafts sailed along research ships, in an event designed "to show the desire of both countries for peace and cooperation," organizers of the event said.

Speaking at the event, Peres said that "Israel has earned much more from research over the years than the oil-rich countries have earned from oil. Israel must remain on the leading edge of research in the future." About Eilat, Peres said that it could, and should, "be the international center for undersea research, and we must do everything possible to bring this vision to fruition."