Cayman Islands Seabed Mapping under Bimini Tops

The Cayman Islands will soon have new and updated maps of the seabed that surrounds it thanks to a new hydrographic survey project being undertaken by the Lands and Survey Department. One of the key pieces of equipment in the survey is a new, specially equipped boat which will be launched on 19 January. This first–of–its–kind project in the Cayman Islands is funded by the Portfolio of Internal and External Affairs.

The vessel, The Aliceann, is a 28–foot Merpanga boat. Over a six–month period it will methodically travel from 300ft beyond the “drop off” around the island to the shore, and take readings to show the contours and features of the ocean floor around the entire island.

The www.caymanpass.com did not give any details on acoustic system to be used, but mentioned that the boat will be equipped with extended Bimini top to provide cover at the front of the boat where the surveyor will work. Probably the surveys will go like this ;-)