  The ANTARES project aims to build a deep underwater Cherenkov neutrino
telescope in the Mediterranean Sea. Currently the experiment is in the
construction phase and has recently achieved two important milestones. The
electro-optical cable to shore and the junction box that will distribute power
to detector strings and allow data transmission have been deployed at the sea
floor. A prototype string and a string for environmental parameter measurement
have been deployed, connected to the cable using a manned submarine. Data have
been sent to shore. The final ANTARES detector consisting in 12 strings each
equipped with 75 photomultiplier tubes is planned to be fully deployed and
taking data by the end of 2006.
