We’re proud to be an official scientific partner for the GB Row 2023 race. RS Aqua are providing more scientific equipment, staff, and technical support to aid this gruelling challenge and its research efforts. The GB Row challenge is known for being the toughest rowing competition worldwide, encompassing a 2,000-mile course along the Great British coastline.
In recent years, GB Row have enforced the ‘Row with a Purpose’ mission in collaboration with the University of Portsmouth; the initiative is set to collect essential samples of environmental DNA, temperature, noise, and salinity during the challenge to better understand the waters that surround our nation.
RS Aqua’s underwater noise detection technologies, particularly the Porpoise OB1, is installed in the GB Row boats, precisely embedded in the rudder. The GTI hydrophones accurately record underwater noise in high fidelity as the boats race around Great Britain. We’ve supported the ‘Row with a Purpose’ initiative for years and are now officially partnered with GB Row for the 2023 race.
The University of Portsmouth had recently analysed all data collected during the 2022 race which is displayed in this comprehensive impact report. In relation to RS Aqua and the work we are involved in, the noise data recovered from the 2022 race was greatly advantageous for understanding the presence of aquatic animals and human noise pollution levels in Great Britain’s coastal areas.
The next GB Row Challenge is set to take place in June 2023. Once completed, the University of Portsmouth’s analysts will be able to listen to the recordings and provide further insight on how Great Britain’s waters are changing from previous years.
For now, check out the 2022 unpacked data summarised, here.