A new technology is coming to St. Pete in the form of a sailboat that will map the ocean floor in the area over the next month. Named the SAILDRONE Voyager, this self-driven sailboat will use sonar to collect information on the ocean floor, contributing to improvements in storm surge warnings, hurricane forecasting, and other important aspects of ocean research. With 48% of the ocean floor in the area currently unmapped, this technology will provide crucial data for researchers.
The sonar technology on the sailboat will paint a detailed picture of the sea floor, potentially uncovering new habitats, corals, and undiscovered wrecks. This information will also be used for hurricane forecasting, enabling better modeling of storm surge from hurricanes and predicting where and how much water will come ashore. The high-resolution data collected by the SAILDRONE will be essential in future hurricane seasons, potentially saving lives and improving safety measures.
The SAILDRONE recently launched for the first time out of St. Pete, with plans to map all of Florida’s ocean floor by the end of next year. The data collected will be shared with the state to enhance research, support future forecasting efforts, and ultimately contribute to the safety and well-being of residents in the area. This innovative technology marks a significant step forward in ocean research and hurricane preparedness for the region.
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