NB.
THINGS To Do
AND SEE
WHILE
SNORKELLING IN OPEN WATER.
1 6.
Manta towing
One of the most enjoyable experiences for the snorkeller
is manta towing. This technique was developed by the
first marine park officers of the Great Barrier Reef
Marine Park Authority so that they could study a large
area of reef while collecting data.
The officers made a mama board from marine ply and
used to place their study sheets on it like the one shown
A 3.5m boat with a 55hp centre console boat is about the
minimum for extended work with two people being
towed at any one time.
The idea of mama towing is to use the manta board to
dive down underwater and observe different seascapes.
Don't forget to equalise and arrange a set of handsignals
with the boat operator as to fast and slow.
Another way with smaller boats is to use a rope and oar.
To tow about four snorkellers a short distance requires a
3m boat with a l5hp motor.
A good rule for manta towing is to tow the number of
people the boat is rated to carry minus one. Don't forget
to have an observer in the boat .
Snorkelter towed
underwater over reef
Manta
board
Rope to boat
Manta Towing
Snorkel
at
high tide
Record your observations of snorkelling at high tide.
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