”The Ocean Voyage” was initiated by the University of Lund in 1990 with the intention to increase the awareness about our oceans. The concept consists of two parts, starting off with a field week, which is followed by a public/tourist week where the results are presented. The host of this year's voyage is SKHC (Scania Coastal and Marine Center) and the focus will be on historic wrecks around the coast of Falsterbo.

Briefing field week - Monday morning 7 a.m.

”The Ocean Voyage” 2012 started off with an introduction and briefing session at Lotsvillan in Falsterbo, presenting information concerning the unidentified objects that were to be explored further during the week. Taking part were many enthusiastic divers from several different organizations such as: The museums of Malmö, The University of Lund, SEA-U Marine Science Center and several diving clubs.

 Full brain activity! (Photo: Per Isaksson, Havsresan)

At our disposal were 25 GPS-positions and a number of 3D images provided by the Maritime Administration ship R/V Jacob Hägg. “Jacob Hägg” had earlier in May surveyed a large area outside Falsterbo with a so-called multibeam. A multibeam is a type of sonar that sends out a large number of beams which, after bouncing off a surface and returning to the instrument, translates into 3D images of the ocean floor (the basis for maritime charts). The digital images can then be rotated and turned and examined from different angles. A "side effect" of this amazing tool is that the collected data also contains non-natural/man made objects such as wrecks - Simply a treasure trove for divers!

Multibeam 3D image of a shipwreck Image: Sjöfartsverket, Havsresan

During the meeting we determined what locations seemed the most promising, and the participants were divided into five dive teams. We also decided that the teams would stay together during the first day, concentrating their dives on two positions known as JHG084 and JHG085.