Catlin Seaview – on Google’s platform
It’s almost 18 months ago since I sat down with the teams from Google Australia and Underwater Earth (UE) to discuss the concept of taking Google’s Streetview underwater on the Great Barrier Reef.
Since then I’ve completed the Best Expedition in the World, my five month kayaking marathon from Lady Elliot Island to Cooktown. During that time on the water I worked extensively with Richard and Christophe from UE to capture stunning images and video of the marine life on the Great Barrier Reef which we’ve brought to you through www.islandreefjob.com.
A major sponsor for the concept, Catlin Insurance, have come onboard to allow this to happen. The project will focus on three parts:
- mega-fauna tracking to show how manta rays, tiger sharks and turtles move around the reef
- a deep reef survey which will look into the effects of climate change on this fragile eco-system, and
- this week the next chapter has been unveiled – Catlin Seaview
Everyone knows how good it is to explore the world using Google’s Streetview. Well they’ve taken the same technology, waterproofed of course, donned their wetsuits and headed to some of the most spectacular locations on the Great Barrier Reef. Click on the images below to explore for yourself.
So far the 360 images are just mock-ups of what will be produced but can you imagine virtual-swimming around a huge coral bommie, feeling the vertigo of a reef wall drop-off or tracking along the edge of Raine Island – turtle nesting heaven!
I’ll be getting involved with the team later this year to bring this technology to the Queensland Holidays website so you can check out our amazing dive sites before you book a holiday here to explore them yourself for real.
For now have fun swimming around the place I’m lucky enough to call my office.
Ben 
