Operation Wallacea

In 2010, the Centre for Marine Research at the University of Havana (CIM-UH) started developing a field research centre at the Colony Marina to be the main base for research on the Southern Isle of Youth APRM (Sustainable Use and Protected Area). By 2011, the research centre will be equipped with computers, and is adjacent to a fully equipped dive centre. The marina is where the three research boats are based. The manatee and dive boats will be returning to the marina on a nightly basis, but the Felipe Poey research vessel, which is being used as the platform for the reef video and photo surveys, will be moored in the Punta Frances National Park on some nights. All the teams, except those based on the Felipe Poey for 1 or 2 nights, will be operating from the research centre and Colony Bay marina. The research teams will be staying in the nearby 3 star Colony Hotel which has air conditioned rooms, swimming pools, showers and all the luxuries you would not expect on an Operation Wallacea research expedition! Breakfast and dinner are taken at the hotel with packed lunches provided for the field team.

Felipe Poey Research Ship

The University of Havana research ship, the Felipe Poey (named after a famous ichthyologist) is used as the operating base for the reef surveys and will be away for 2 days (one night) during expeditions 1- 5, but will be away for slightly longer periods so the more distant reefs can be surveyed during expedition 6. The boat has berths both above and below decks, though most people choose to sleep under the stars on the top deck. The Felipe Poey was converted from a fishing boat several years ago and has excellent facilities aboard including a flush toilet and a basic fresh water shower (to be used sparingly to conserve fresh water). There is a fresh water tank which can hold up to 8 tonnes of fresh water at one time. There are also solar panels on board the boat to charge the batteries for radio communication. There is a projector and screen and sitting area on the bottom deck for lectures. The captain's wheel house has state of the art real time navigation systems, GPS systems, echosounder and satellite images all linked to a main computer. There is also a VHF radio for communications with the coastguard and beach monitoring sites.