You may have noticed some ships moving
slowly through the bay over the past few years with some extensive
sonar and other scientific-looking equipment on it.
Those ships likely belong to Fugro USA
Marine Inc. which is contracting with NOAA as part of a multi- year
project to collect hydrographic data that will be used to update
navigational products.
The vessels performing these surveys
are equipped to collect multibeam and side scan sonar data.
The ship and USV will operate up to 24
hours per day and may be towing sensors, which will restrict its
ability to maneuver.
They are currently on the third year of
the project.
This year, much of the Apalachicola Bay
from West Pass to the eastern end of Dog Island will be mapped to
make nautical charts more specific and to bring a better
understanding of our area.
Only 2% of the seafloor of the Big Bend
is currently mapped to modern standards.
The data they collect will improve the
understanding of the depth, physical features, bio-diversity and
distribution of habitats.
It will also provide key base data to
support fisheries, coastal modeling, resource management, and
navigational charts improving safety of navigation for the region.
The 2020 project is estimated to cover
430 square nautical miles.
Find out more at :
http://live.oysterradio.com/
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