Jump to main content or Bold Kids site navigation The OSV Bold
supports a variety of monitoring and educational tasks. The ship
carries high-tech instruments to collect data from the water
column, sediments, and even marine life. The Bold also carries
onboard equipment that can take underwater video, side-scan
sonar, and sampling instruments such as corers, dredges, and
trawls. Onboard laboratories allow scientists to process,
analyze, and store samples while they are out at sea. The sturdy
A-frame on the back deck of the Bold, helps the scientists
deploy the equipment for sampling and monitoring. A bottom grab,
does exactly what it sounds like! This piece of equipment
catches muddy sediment, and it can collect down to about two
feet into the bottom. The grab is lowered to the bottom by a
cable and water is able to flow through it as it is lowered
down. When it hits the bottom, it releases a catch that allows
the two doors to close, capturing the mud. Scientists use this
grabbing technique to measure the conc