Meteorite study ship hits snag on reef
Jo Tuckman in Mexico City
Saturday February 19, 2005
A boat carrying British and American geologists involved in a controversial soundwave study off eastern Mexico faces a big fine for damaging a coral reef.
The Maurice Ewing was nearing the end of a month-long investigation into the Chicxulub Crater - created by a huge asteroid 65m years ago - when it ran aground on the reef this week.
Initial reports indicated that the boat, operated by New York's Columbia University and owned by the United States government, had hit a sandbank. However, Mexican environmental prosecutors announced that it had caused severe damage to coral.
José Luis Luege, a leading prosecutor, said: "It is inexplicable that the boat's closeness to the coral reef was not detected given the [sophisticated] technology and navigational charts on board."
He said he would be seeking heavy fines and was awaiting the results of a survey into the extent of the damage. He would consider ordering the temporary seizure of the vessel if its owners refused to guarantee payment.
His aides said superficial reconnaissance indicated an affected area of 30 sq metres, including 10 sq metres of coral. A similar incident involving a fishing boat a couple of years ago led to fines of £15,000.
The incident is embarrassing for researchers involved in the project who are from from Cambridge University, Imperial College, London, and institutions in Mexico and the US.
Their study involved using high-pressure pistols to shoot compressed air at the seabed. The returning echoes are meant to provide the most detailed picture ever of the crater formed by the meteorite many believe led to the extinction of the dinosaurs.
But the project was controversial from the start, with environmentalists insisting that the noise from the guns was dangerous to marine life.
John Diebold, one of the Columbia University-based coordinators of the boat's activities, said he believed that the Maurice Ewing would not have hit the coral if the reef had been charted.
The Maurice Ewing was nearing the end of a month-long investigation into the Chicxulub Crater - created by a huge asteroid 65m years ago - when it ran aground on the reef this week.
Initial reports indicated that the boat, operated by New York's Columbia University and owned by the United States government, had hit a sandbank. However, Mexican environmental prosecutors announced that it had caused severe damage to coral.
José Luis Luege, a leading prosecutor, said: "It is inexplicable that the boat's closeness to the coral reef was not detected given the [sophisticated] technology and navigational charts on board."
He said he would be seeking heavy fines and was awaiting the results of a survey into the extent of the damage. He would consider ordering the temporary seizure of the vessel if its owners refused to guarantee payment.
His aides said superficial reconnaissance indicated an affected area of 30 sq metres, including 10 sq metres of coral. A similar incident involving a fishing boat a couple of years ago led to fines of £15,000.
The incident is embarrassing for researchers involved in the project who are from from Cambridge University, Imperial College, London, and institutions in Mexico and the US.
Their study involved using high-pressure pistols to shoot compressed air at the seabed. The returning echoes are meant to provide the most detailed picture ever of the crater formed by the meteorite many believe led to the extinction of the dinosaurs.
But the project was controversial from the start, with environmentalists insisting that the noise from the guns was dangerous to marine life.
John Diebold, one of the Columbia University-based coordinators of the boat's activities, said he believed that the Maurice Ewing would not have hit the coral if the reef had been charted.
3 comments:
They've probably all got 4 PH.D.s and they can't drive a boat or read a map or walk and chew gum at the same time!
But seriously, do you wonder why it is that the Mexican authorities can nail you for 10 sq metres of reef and make it stick and the Canadian government can't stop all these huge ships exausting waste oil on the Grand Banks and leaving huge slicks behind?
Jennifer,
It's not the scientists driving the ship. The Ewing has a crew of about 20, plus however many scientists they are carrying. It's is a bit bigger than your average rowboat - almost the length of a football field. Which makes it all the more baffling that they hit something like a well charted reef - there is a mate on watch at all times.
What makes it more baffling and frustrating is that they were under strict international scrutiny because of the seismic research work they were doing. I'm sure the scientists aboard - who fought for several years of beurocratic red tape and diplomatic BS just to get permission to do the research in Mexican waters - are absolutely horrified.
The Mexican authorities "caught" the Ewing because there were no less than 2 aircraft flying overhead looking out for whales in the vicinity.
Catching various ships dumping oil off the grand banks (most of which are probably fishing boats that ignore the Marine Pollution regulations) is a lot more difficult. It's a pretty big ocean out there.
Hey Geoff, I should check the comments on my posts more often, so sorry about the not so prompt response.
You're right, I was imagining a rowboat. Really, I was just reminded of the time that my archeometry class was going on a field trip to map an historic site. Our profs were experts in MRI mapping of archaeological sites and they were the only ones who couldn't follow the road map in order to find the group meeting spot.
It's amazing that they can get together such a big expedition. To have such a sophisticated boat and crew. Do you know who funds it? I'm completely fascinated.
Further on the issue of oil dumping off of Newfoundland, there's been another big incident this week. It's so discouraging. Here's the article:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20050303/BIRDS03/TPNational/?query=newfoundland+oil+
Post a Comment