Marine Biology Support: Helicopter Services in Ocean Research

Explore how helicopters support ocean research projects through innovative technology and learn what to consider when hiring a helicopter charter company.

The ocean covers more than 70% of our planet, yet much of it remains a mystery. Marine biologists know that studying marine life, monitoring ecosystems, and gaining a deeper understanding of our oceans is key to preserving biodiversity and combating climate change.

So, where do helicopters fit in? These versatile aircraft offer researchers a bird’s-eye view of the ocean, quick access to remote locations, and the means of gathering crucial data with minimal environmental impact.

In this article, we’ll explore how helicopters support marine biologists and highlight their unique advantages in ocean research. We’ll also look at key factors to consider when hiring a helicopter charter company for work in marine environments and dive into some of the cutting-edge technology that’s enhancing helicopter operations.

two orcas breaching the surface of the ocean — *Photo by Simon Hurry from Pexels*

How Helicopters Support Marine Biology

Let’s dive into some of the ways helicopters are assisting marine biologists and conservationists in ocean research:

Aerial Surveys: Helicopters allow scientists to soar high over oceans, providing them with an aerial view of marine animals in their natural habitat. This allows researchers to observe and photograph ocean creatures – without disturbing them – so they can assess population sizes, track behavior, and better understand their ecological roles.
Coral Reef Monitoring: Coral reefs support local economies through fishing and tourism while also playing a critical role in the protection of biodiversity. In fact, coral reefs provide a habitat for at least a quarter of the world’s marine life. Unfortunately, they’re also incredibly vulnerable to threats like climate change, unsustainable fishing, and pollution. Helicopters enable marine biologists to monitor coral reefs effectively from above so they can identify areas showing signs of stress and prioritize restoration efforts.
Coastal Ecosystem Studies: Coastal ecosystems like mangroves and seagrass beds are crucial for marine life and shoreline protection. Studying these areas from the air allows scientists to map their distribution, assess their health, and track changes over time more quickly and efficiently.
Data Collection: Helicopters can be equipped with sensors or sampling tools for collecting data on water quality, temperature, and salinity. This data helps marine biologists monitor ocean conditions and track changes caused by the climate crisis and human activity.
Animal Movement Tracking: Helicopters enable researchers to follow tagged animals and important marine species, like whales and sharks, as they travel hundreds or thousands of miles during their migrations. By gaining insight into their migration routes, breeding grounds, habitats, and behavior, scientists can create effective conservation strategies to protect these incredible journeys.
Research and Field Experiments: Many of the most fascinating marine environments are in remote, hard-to-reach places – think isolated islands and coral reefs. Helicopters make it possible to transport scientists and their equipment to these sites safely and quickly so they can establish research stations and conduct important experiments.
Pollution Response Efforts: When disasters like oil spills strike, time is of the essence. Helicopters are invaluable for rapidly assessing the spread of pollution, capturing real-time imagery, and assessing the damage so conservationists can implement effective crisis response plans.

Compliance of Regulations: Helicopters enable marine scientists to perform aerial surveillance of marine protected areas to ensure regulations are being strictly followed and that these defined regions of oceans, estuaries, lakes, and parks remain protected.

Whether you’re conducting research, responding to an oil spill, or ensuring regulations are being followed, helicopters can provide the support you need to do your job effectively and help marine life thrive.

kayaker observing a helicopter flying over the ocean — *Photo by Anurag Jamwal from Pexels*

Benefits of Helicopters in Ocean Research

Helicopters have become a vital asset for marine biologists conducting ocean research and field experiments. Here are some of the unique capabilities and advantages they offer:

Unmatched Accessibility: Helicopters can access remote islands, offshore reefs, and other hard-to-reach locations that may be largely inaccessible to boats – or take much longer to reach. This makes them invaluable for studying untouched or isolated ecosystems.
Unique Aerial Perspective: Helicopters provide researchers with a broad, unobstructed bird’s-eye view ideal for spotting marine animals, mapping coral reefs, and monitoring coastal ecosystems efficiently.
Enhanced Speed and Agility: Time is often critical in ocean research, whether it’s responding to an oil spill or tracking an elusive marine species. Helicopters offer the ability to transport scientists and equipment to desired locations quickly and hover over specific areas when needed.
Versatility: Helicopters can be equipped with specialized technology like cameras, sensors, drones, and tagging devices. These tools enhance data collection and enable researchers to perform specific tasks tailored to their ocean research project.
Reduced Environmental Impact: Whereas boats are prone to disturbing marine life and their habitats, helicopters offer a noninvasive way to observe from a safe distance. This helps ensure minimal disruption to the natural behavior of ocean animals.

The unique benefits of these rotorcraft reveal why they’re not just a transportation vessel – they offer a powerful support system in the ongoing effort to understand and protect our planet’s oceans.

Important Considerations When Hiring a Helicopter Charter Company for Marine Biology Support

If you’re planning to hire a helicopter service for your ocean research project, there are a few important factors to keep in mind to ensure your safety, efficiency, and success.

aerial view of green landscape and ocean from inside a helicopter cockpit — *Photo by Cyrill from Pexels*

Here are some key considerations to think about before you hire a charter company and take to the skies:

Ocean Research Goals: Be sure to clearly define your mission objectives before reaching out for a project quote. Are you tracking marine animals, performing helicopter wildlife surveys, or conducting research and field experiments in remote locations? Understanding your goals and sharing them with your helicopter charter company will enable your hired crew to choose the right helicopter and equipment for the job.
Specialized Equipment Needs: Depending on your project, you may need specific tools and equipment like aerial cameras, sensors, or satellite tagging devices. Make sure the helicopter provider has experience in outfitting their fleet for research purposes and can accommodate these requirements.
Budgets and Logistics: Helicopter operations can be expensive, and services can vary widely in cost depending on the aircraft type, mission duration, and equipment needed. A qualified helicopter charter company will work closely with you to develop a comprehensive plan that considers your project scope, locations, timelines, and budgetary restrictions. Obtaining a customized solution tailored to your specific needs will help you prepare to tackle any challenges that might arise and avoid financial surprises.
Crew Experience and Coordination: Research missions often require specialized knowledge and multi-team coordination and communication. Ensure that the pilots and crew you hire have experience with marine research operations, including navigating remote areas and coordinating with ships or ground teams.
Safety Protocols: Safety should always be the top priority. Check that the charter company follows strict safety standards, hires experienced pilots, has a solid risk assessment process, and offers training for researchers on safe boarding and equipment handling.
Weather Conditions: Your flights will need to be planned carefully to consider weather limitations and ocean conditions. Work with an experienced helicopter service that understands the unique challenges of marine environments, such as strong winds, saltwater corrosion, and visibility barriers.
Permits and Regulations: Depending on your location, you may need permits to conduct aerial surveys, deploy tags, or operate in marine protected areas. Work with a reputable helicopter service capable of navigating these requirements.
Environmental Impact: Minimizing noise and disturbance to marine life during ocean research is crucial. Choose a provider that values sustainability and works to minimize the environmental impact of their operations by reducing noise pollution and avoiding disruption to marine animals.

By taking these factors into account prior to the start of your mission, you can ensure that your hired helicopter charter company has the skills, expertise, and equipment to effectively support your research while maintaining respect for the marine environment.

How Technology Is Elevating Helicopter-Assisted Marine Research

Helicopters have long been a valuable asset to marine biology, but recent technological advancements have taken their utility to new heights. Improved communication systems, cutting-edge tracking mechanisms, and other innovations are making it easier than ever for researchers to observe and protect marine life.

pilot and observer inside a helicopter cockpit over the ocean — *Photo by Denniz Futalan from Pexels*

Let’s take a closer look at some of the key advancements that are transforming how helicopters are used to support marine conservation efforts.

Night Vision Equipment: With night vision goggles and helicopters outfitted with night vision equipment, marine biologists are able to perform scientific research safely – even in low-light conditions. This means the window for conducting marine life surveys and field experiments has expanded, giving scientists more time to gather data when animals are most active.
Improved Communication: Efficient communication is crucial when working in remote areas like islands and off-shore research stations. Enhanced communication technology has made it easier for helicopter crews and ship crews to stay in communication and coordinate their research efforts.
Satellite Tagging: Helicopters have become an essential part of satellite tagging operations for marine animals. By deploying small, electronic tags from above, scientists can collect data on temperature and depth of specific oceanic regions and track the movements and behaviors of sea turtles, whale sharks, and other species in real-time. In combination with ocean-observing satellites, these tags provide a treasure trove of data on migration patterns and critical habitats through noninvasive means.
Drone Integration: Drones are now being used alongside helicopters for monitoring fish and marine animals. They’re particularly handy for documenting whale entanglements, conducting health checks, and observing behaviors – all with minimal disturbance to the animals.
Risk Assessment Tools: Safety and progress are always priorities when it comes to oceanic research. New risk assessment tools, such as ecosystem risk assessments and marine hydrokinetic technologies, have been developed to help crews navigate tricky conditions and accomplish new feats (such as boosting ocean-based renewable energy).

These innovations are more than just cool tech – they’re drastically improving the field of marine biology as a whole. By enhancing how helicopters operate in the field, researchers can gather better data, respond faster to environmental challenges, and ultimately do more to protect our oceans.

Final Thoughts: How Helicopter Services Propel Ocean Discovery

As the Earth continues to face challenges like climate change and habitat degradation, helicopters have proven to be an indispensable tool in the field of marine biology. They allow scientists to access remote areas so they can respond quickly to environmental emergencies, collect data with minimal impact on marine life, and uncover the mysteries of our oceans more efficiently and safely than ever before.

Whether your project involves tracking marine animal migrations, conducting essential research, or monitoring delicate ecosystems, a helicopter charter company can provide you with the speed, versatility, and aerial view you need to gather critical data and implement effective conservation strategies.

If you’re ready to start your next ocean research project, reach out to Helicopter Express today to discuss how we can best support you. Our skilled pilots, specialized technology, and state-of-the-art fleet are available to help you gain a better understanding of marine species and their ecosystems.