Boxfish Robotics‘ advanced Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) will be at the center of a groundbreaking livestream expedition of Superior Shoal, a massive underwater mountain in Lake Superior often referred to as “The Freshwater Everest.”
This marks the first time the shoal’s submerged environment will be surveyed in real time, made possible by the precision engineering and imaging capabilities of Boxfish’s underwater robotics technology.
Superior Shoal, which rises nearly 300 meters from the lakebed, lies within the Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area. The survey will be conducted from the Research Vessel Blue Heron, where Boxfish Robotics’ ROVs will deliver high-resolution visuals and agile maneuvering to navigate the shoal’s steep volcanic cliffs, geological formations, and diverse aquatic life.
The livestream will be co-hosted by filmmakers and underwater drone operators Yvonne Drebert and Zach Melnick, Fellows of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, together with freshwater ecologist Dr. Michael Rennie. Employing Boxfish Robotics’ technology, they will guide viewers through one of the least-explored freshwater environments on Earth.
Event Details:
- Date & Time: Sunday, September 14th, 3:00 PM ET
- Backup (Weather) Date: Monday, September 15th, 3:00 PM ET
- Duration: Approximately 2 hours
- Where to Watch: YouTube Live
The expedition is expected to reveal rarely seen species such as deepwater sculpin, siscowet lake trout, and redfin, as well as potential shipwrecks hidden in this notoriously hazardous stretch of the Great Lakes.
Presented by Parks Canada, Science North, and Canadian Geographic, the livestream forms part of a new project, Hidden Below: The Freshwater World, a wildlife series spearheaded by Drebert and Melnick through Inspired Planet Productions.
“Superior Shoal may prove to be to freshwater life what seamounts are to ocean life — a vital refuge of biodiversity,” says Drebert.
Boxfish Robotics Technology
Boxfish Robotics, headquartered in New Zealand, is a leader in underwater robotic systems. Their next-generation ROVs and Hovering Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (HAUVs) are designed to deliver unmatched imaging clarity and precision maneuverability in even the most challenging aquatic environments.
For the Superior Shoal mission, these ROVs will provide the scientists, filmmakers, and audiences worldwide with the ability to view and interact with a hidden underwater landscape in real time.
