Underwater Submersible Runs Aground on Reef Off Ambergris Caye
The office of Hol Chan Marine Reserve reports the discovery of a deep water submersible that has run aground on the reef about 5 miles north of San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize. It was discovered on Wednesday, March 12, 2015, and remains on location as officials battle the rough seas to continue their investigations and removal of the large apparatus.
San Pedro Police and the Belize Coast Guard investigated the discovery of the deep water submersible on Wednesday, shortly after 3p.m. almost in front of Mata Chica Resort. Hol Chan Marine Reserve confirms that the apparatus is a deep water submersible used for research, exploration and deep water works. It measures almost 12 feet long by 6.6 feet wide and 7 feet high.
The origin of the apparatus is not known by island officials, but they indicate that it is obvious that it has been drifting out at sea for a long time since a lot of barnacles have settled on almost all its surfaces.
"It was not used here in Belize," commented Hol Chan Marine Reserve Personnel. "It just drifted here and ended on the reef. It has not been removed from the reef yet. We were out there this morning and the sea was too rough to attempt taking it out. A preliminary assessment has been conducted on the reef but this was also hampered by rough seas."
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DEEP WATER SUBMERSIBLE GROUNDS ON REEF OFF AMBERGRIS CAYE
OCEANA BELIZE AND HOL CHAN MARINE RESERVE PERSONNEL CONDUCT SITE ASSESSMENT
Based on requests from residents of Ambergris Caye and the media for more information about the
grounding of a deep water submersible on the Belize Barrier Reef, on Friday, March 13th 2015, Oceana
Belize and personnel from the Hol Chan Marine Reserve conducted a site assessment of the incident.
The team reports the following:
1. The deep water submersible was first discovered shortly after 3pm on Wednesday, March 11th
approximately six miles north of San Pedro town in area known as Mexico Rocks.
2. The grounding is within the recently expanded Hol Chan Marine Reserve.
3. The swath of damage from the reef to where the submersible finally grounded is clearly visible.
4. The vessel came to a stop in approximately three feet of water.
5. The deep water submersible (Quantum 9, heavy work class ROV) measures almost 12ft in length
by 6.6ft in width and includes four propellers topside, another two in the front and two more in
the rear. The device also includes several underwater cameras.
6. The ROV includes an extended "arm".
7. The submersible has already caused substantial damage to the coral species (including fire coral
Millepora alcicornis) at the site.
8. Efforts to date to remove the submersible have proven unsuccessful because of high wave
action.
9. Based on information found on the vessel (serial numbers etc.), the vessel has been identified
by the manufacturer as an ROV reported as "lost" in Trinidad and Tobago in November 2014.
According to reliable sources, the manufacturer contracted the ROV to a company called
Impersub International, which does research and exploration for gas and oil companies.
10. Please find information on the device here: http://www.deeptechoilservices.com/pdf/Quantum_9.pdf
Oceana Belize supports the recommendation that the submersible be removed as soon as possible to
avoid any further degradation to the site. This assessment is independent from any other investigation
being carried out by any of the relevant government agencies. Links to video footage collected during
the site assessment as well as still photos can be accessed here.
According to Oceana Belize's Communications Director Alyssa Carnegie, "The damage already caused by
the ROV and the complexity of its removal from the Belize Barrier Reef, as well as the recent sailboat
stranding off Caye Caulker, highlights the lack of the necessary resources to respond properly and timely
to incidents at sea. How we handle these incidents communicates, nationally and globally, the level of
respect we hold for our marine wealth."
Deep Water Submersible Damages Belize Reef
Oceana Belize and Hol Chan Marine Reserve in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize attempt to remove grounded deep water submersible that washed into the Great Barrier Reef of Belize near San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. The submersible that drifted from Trinidad and Tobago and has now damaged a section of live coral reef.
ImpreSub can breath a little easier in that it's not in a marine reserve like reported. The prime minister has never signed to make it officially a reserve. A little fact disguised by the smoke of the recent election and all the politicos standing up and taking credit for making it a reserve. Mexico Rocks is still not a marine reserve.
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