The Alexander lab is gearing up for mapping the intertidal morphology of Groves Creek.  The non-vegetated, soupy areas cannot be surveyed by foot, so a new research vessel was purchased that, along with a survey grade echosounder tied into the lab’s new RTK-GPS, will be used to map the bottom elevations at higher tides.

A similar boat

The new, very stable vessel, a 4 feet wide by 10 feet long pontoon boat with an electric motor in each hull, will allow them to collect data in areas as shallow as one foot deep.  To see a video of the vessel in action go to this link.