Malawians called to utilise Hydrographic Survey Unit in Monkey Bay

Ministry of Lands through the Department of Surveys has assured Malawians that its Hydrographic Survey Unit has research vessel called Timba, installed with hydrographic equipment that can be hired by researchers for reliable aquatics ecosystem data, according to the Ministry’s Public Relations Officer, Mphatso Nkuonera

Nkuonera told Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Tuesday that the unit has a research vessel capable of facilitating scientific research that can provide reliable information.

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“If one wants to engage in scientific research, the unit is available and will perfectly serve them to understand aquatic ecosystems, water resources and their changes, informing conservation efforts and management decisions on blue economy,” he added.

Surveyor General in the Department of Surveys also responsible for the Unit, Masida Mbano also said the unit can also help in coastal zone management for developers, environmental protection, detection of minerals such as oil and gas at the bottom of the water.

Mbano added that the unit is also capable of assisting in offshore construction like oil and gas plants, wind farming, laying underwater pipelines and cables as they will all be given accurate data prior to construction.

“The unit also gives valuable data for modelling coastal zones, shoreline changes and assessing coastal erosion and silts to support disaster preparedness and response.

“It also helps in water body mapping to influence in decision making and support safety of navigation of passenger and military ships on Lake Malawi,” Mbano said.

Mbano explained that the unit also has smaller boats like Dingy that help to do coastal line and dam surveys and hydrographic surveys in major rivers like Shire.

“The ship was hired last year by the Syracuse University in the United States of America for scientific research in the northern part of Lake Malawi and the services of our Unit are recognised locally and internationally,” Mbano said.

Malawi started its hydrographic survey on Lake Malawi in the 1950s and RV Timba was assembled in 1989 by the French and Malawi Government.