SUPERYACHT OCEAN MAPPING
Enroll your yacht in the
Ocean Mapping Mission
Join the ocean depth data collection to contribute to the successful mapping of the ocean floor.
In support of:
ASSISTING WITH THE MAPPING OF THE OCEANS
As of May 2023, only 24.9% of the seabed is mapped. This still leaves more than 70% of the seafloor unmapped.
IHO (International Hydrographic Organisation) is leading the way to partner with vessels, including yachts, to collect depth measurements, using standard navigation instruments, in a manner that fully respects the privacy and autonomy of superyachts.
The collection of depth data is entirely anonymous. At any point, participants can choose to enable or disable this feature according to their comfort level. Moreover, the yachts involved in this project will not be held liable for the data they contribute.
The global effort behind mapping the world’s entire ocean floor before the end of the decade is being spearheaded by Seabed 2030 — a collaborative project between The Nippon Foundation and the General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO), a joint program of the IHO and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO.
Interestingly, the areas that still need to be mapped are popular cruising regions such as Greek waters, Turkish territories and the Caribbean. These are precisely the regions where yachts frequently navigate, making them invaluable partners in this mission.
What is Ocean Mapping?
Photo credit: Vicki Ferrini, Seabed 2030
Even though oceans cover over 70% of Earth's surface still only 24.9% of the ocean floor is currently mapped with direct observations and shared with the global community. Seabed 2030 is a project launched in 2017, this collaborative project between GEBCO and the Nippon Foundation aims to map the entirety of the world's ocean floor by 2030. This ambitious goal will provide valuable information for yacht crew, scientists, and policymakers.
Yachts are uniquely positioned to assist in the mapping of the oceans and, by joining ocean mapping efforts, yacht crew not only enhance their own navigational knowledge but also contribute to vital scientific research. This can contribute critical areas such as climate change studies, biodiversity conservation, and hazard identification. Furthermore, the data collected can aid safe navigation for future seafarers and facilitate the discovery of new underwater landscapes and species. Therefore, yacht participation in ocean mapping efforts is a win-win situation, augmenting our understanding of the oceans while contributing to global marine stewardship.
Only 24.9% of the Total Area Under Water is Currently Mapped
Why is it Important for Yachts to Help?
The data collected through the initiative can help scientists better understand the ocean landscape and the impact of climate change.
CONTRIBUTION TO SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH
Fill gaps where data is scarce (eg: Greek waters, Turkey and the Caribbean) and assist in verifying charted information along shallow, complex coastlines.
ASSISTING WITH ENHANCING SAFETY AT SEA
By participating in the initiative, you can show your commitment to environmental stewardship and responsible yachting practices.
PARTICIPATING IN RESPONSIBLE YACHT PRACTICES
Please note
The submission of data can be entirely anonymous. Importantly, no yacht will bear any responsibility or liability for the data that it collects and uploads.
To apply your yacht to participate in the mapping of the oceans please contact IHO (International Hydrographic Organisation) directly via:
ENROLLING YOUR YACHT
There are 3 main ways to participate in collecting depth data for the mapping of the oceans, depending on the software or hardware you have on board your yacht. To collect the data and assist with ocean mapping, you can choose one of the following ways:
How It Works?
USING NAVIGATION SOFTWARE
Depth data can be shared through participating navigation software systems (eg: Rosepoint, Navico-CMAP. GEC AquaMap, seaID, Mussel, WAASP, FarSounder).
USING VDRS SYSTEM
Larger vessels that have Voyage Data Recorders (VDRs) already record depth information and may be able to automatically transmit depth data to the IHO.
INSTALLATION OF A DATA LOGGER
A third option includes a range of data loggers (eg: NEMO30, OFM Mussel Kit) that easily connects to the ship's GPS and echosounder and uploaded directly to the cloud.
