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 In November of 1987, a team of scientists led
an expedition to "sweep" Loch Ness, in Scotland, with
sonar instruments. The project, Operation Deepscan,
called for the world's most sophisticated sonar
equipment. The instrument selected by the scientists
and explorers for the task: the Lowrance X-16 Computer
Graph Recorder.
One goal of the
expedition was to gather data about the structure and
ecology of the Loch. However, to people around the
world, the main mission was to prove or disprove the
existence of an age-old legend: The Loch Ness
Monster.
After years of
planning, Operation Deepscan was "launched" on a clear
autumn day, on the deep, dark waters of Loch Ness.
Twenty-four boats, each equipped with a Lowrance X-16,
were positioned across the one-mile width of the Loch.
This unique flotilla made two passes at slow speed over
the Loch's entire 23-mile length, which in many areas
is over 700 feet deep. Printouts from the Lowrance
equipment recorded precise data of the bottom contours,
structure, and …suspended objects.
During the two-day search, numerous strong sonar
"contacts" were reported, including several at depths
below 150 feet, all appeared to be moving. In every
case, these objects disappeared before follow-up boats
were able to locate them.
One
contact, however, stood out from all the rest. It was
made at approximately 606 feet (185 meters).
Interestingly, a follow-up boat, not one of the
cruisers in line across the Loch, made the contact.
This fact eliminated any chance that the mark was
interference from another boat, and suggested that the
object had moved into the area after the other boats
passed.
Was it "Nessie" the
Loch Ness Monster? There is little evidence to confirm
it - yet, neither is there absolute proof that it was
not.
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Loch Ness, Scotland
9 October 1987
Chase Boat 1
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