The Curacao owned, based and operated research vessel and submarine tender RV Chapman, which will explore deep reefs off Dominica, has arrived on the island.
The vessel arrived in Dominica at about 7:00 am on Monday.
The ship will remain in Dominica for a month-long expedition during which it will explore deep reefs off the island in search of new species and venture into reefs off the northwestern coast of Dominica to document and map known deep water anchorage sites and possible archeological findings.
Below is a three-day log from the ship as it arrived in Dominica.
On February 19th, 2016, the RV Chapman set sail for Dominica at approximately 12:30 pm setting a heading of 67 degrees west after passing Klein Curacao.
Over the next 3 days, this Caribbean crossing would span 480 nautical miles averaging 6.5-7 knots with relatively calm seas.
Minor course adjustments occurred due to the Equatorial Current that averages 0.5-1 knot and originates in the Atlantic Ocean. This current enters the Caribbean Sea just East of Grenadines then heads North-west through the Grenada Basin then turns Westward between 12-15 degrees north latitude.
During this voyage, the crew of 17 experienced wonderful sightings of Humpback Whales, Beak Whales, Spinner Dolphins, Bottlenose Dolphins, Schools of Dorado & Tuna, and even a late evening recon flyby from a Military or Coast Guard Drone!!
On February 22nd, 2016 at approximately 7:00am, the RV Chapman and her Crew arrived safely at their destination!! Dominica!!
Let Expedition Dominica 2016 Begin!!
What exactly are they looking for?
Relax everyone it is a research vessel here to explore, they are not going to do any damage to the fish. For the first time ever we will get to see what lives in our deep waters just offshore. Now if they find sunken treasure ships……..Don’t you worry the Government will take care of all the money. Passports for everyone!
Look now they are going to poison our fish to kill us. Man leave our water alone!
Ignorant Dominican polluters poison fish. Years ago I saw a bunch of dead fish in Douglas Bay.
I don’t trust them.