Logo design by Wynham Guillemot

Overview

We are seeking funding for an expedition to the Bahamas islands in order to study and document the fascinating underwater caves located there. These caves are known as blue holes and are of significant scientific and historical importance. These underwater environments are among the least studied and most threatened habitats in the world. Through our exploration, study, and documentation of the blue holes we hope to shed light on these mysterious environments and learn more about the past. In order to raise awareness about our expedition the team will spend time on Andros visiting organizations, schools, and government agencies. We will go to schools to raise awareness about climate change and global warming. We will also work in cooperation with the Bahamas Caves Research Foundation and the Bahamas Government to fight for more environmental protection and blue hole conservation efforts.    

Importance of Blue Holes

Blue holes pose significant historical importance because their geologic formations and oxygen void water preserve much from the past. These caves formed in a time when sea levels were much lower but as sea levels raised the caves became flooded with seawater. Because this seawater lost oxygen and has unique chemistry the skeletal remains of many ancient organisms have been preserved in these caves and remain undiscovered. Extinct species, however, are not the only species that are of interest in the caves. Blue holes boast unique biodiversity of microbial and multicellular life. Studying these organisms is important because of the unique harsh conditions they survive in which can show us more about life on earth and beyond. In addition, the geologic formations of the blue holes can be studied to better understand past climate change as well as sea level rise. This information could prove invaluable as global warming and sea level rise continue to be critical issues in today’s world. Blue holes are like time capsules from the past that lack in any significant study and we hope to be the ones to unlock their secrets.

Diving the Labyrinth

This expedition is similar with that in which we plan to conduct. Furthermore, we will need to use many of the same diving techniques in order to assure ultimate safety and best possible results.

Itinerary

We will spend four weeks on the Island of Andros where our first two blue holes are located. We will be renting vehicles and a boat to travel on the island and navigate through the waters. For the first two weeks from June 8 to June 22 we will be in the mangrove cay exploring the blue hole. After that we will travel by boat to Pleasent Harbor on June 23 to study the other blue hole on the island.

We will leave the island of Andros on July 6, 2013 and travel by north by boat to another smaller island called Abaco. During the remainder of our trip we will be traveling around this island exploring 5 different blue holes. On Abaco we will again rent a vehicle and a boat so it will be easy to travel around the island and be able to get access to all of the blue holes. During the trip we will be camping in tents, renting hotel rooms, and sleeping on the boat. From July 6 to July 16, we will be in the Loroda bay. We will then travel north by boat to long bay and stay there from July 16 to July 26. After that we will travel again by boat to Rocky point on July 26 and stay there until August 9. We will continue to travel by boat to wood cay from August 9 to August 23. Our final stop will be the Big Coppice Mangrove and we will stay tHere from August 23 until the end of the trip. We plan on leaving the Bahamas and arriving back in San Francisco on 5th of September in 2013.

Photos taken from within one of the deepest blue holes.

Budget

We are asking for a grant of $35,000 for our expedition to explore the underwater caves of the Bahamas known as blue holes. The majority of this grant will be used to purchase the specific dive and an air compressor needed to dive the caves and refill our air canisters. Camping gear and transportation costs are significant. We hope to minimize housing expenses by camping in tents near the blue holes that we will be diving. We plan to spend under $2,000 for food for the whole team for the duration of the expedition. Transportation costs are also significant and include flights to the Bahamas as well and atvs and boat rental for traveling around and between islands. We will also use some money to purchase cameras and a computer so we can document the dives and share our findings and keep the world updated on the expedition.

Equipment

Set of gear for scuba diving

Safety line for diving in caves and finding your way out

Flashlight for diving in low light caves

Knife for cutting yourself out of entanglements

Dean's Blue Hole

This is a video of one of the blue holes that we will be performing comprehensive research on.