The world's oceans have always been a source of fascination and mystery, covering over 70% of the Earth's surface. Yet, astonishingly, only 24.9% of the ocean floor has been mapped. Recognizing the importance of understanding our oceans, the leading yacht crew recruitment agency YPI CREW has partnered with the International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO) to promote an ambitious ocean mapping mission within the yachting industry.
How can yachts help with sea mapping?
As of May 2023, more than 70% of the seafloor remains unmapped, presenting a significant knowledge gap. The IHO, in collaboration with Seabed 2030, aims to address this issue by engaging vessels, including yachts, to collect depth measurements using standard navigation instruments. Interestingly, popular cruising regions such as Greek waters, Turkish territories, and the Caribbean are still unmapped and these are precisely the areas the yachting industry can help map.
To facilitate yacht participation in the ocean mapping mission, YPI CREW has taken a proactive approach by creating a dedicated page on their website. Yachts interested in joining the efforts to map the world's oceans can visit the page to discover how they can join the collection of depth data.
One of the key aspects of the collection of depth data is the assurance of privacy and autonomy for participating yachts. The collection of depth data is entirely anonymous, and yacht owners and crew can enable or disable this feature at any time based on their comfort level. Additionally, the yachts involved in this initiative will not be held liable for the data they contribute, ensuring a risk-free collaboration.
The Importance of Mapping the Oceans
The significance of mapping the world's entire ocean floor cannot be overstated. It serves as a crucial foundation for numerous areas of study, including climate change research, biodiversity conservation, and hazard identification. By joining these ocean mapping efforts, yacht crew not only enhance their navigational knowledge but also contribute to vital scientific research. Moreover, the data collected will facilitate safer navigation for future seafarers and enable the discovery of new underwater landscapes and species.
The partnership between YPI CREW and IHO represents an important step towards increasing awareness and involvement within the yachting industry for ocean mapping efforts. By engaging yacht owners and crew, this collaboration aims to bridge the gap between the exclusive world of yachting and the pressing need for comprehensive ocean floor mapping.
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