Before any boat left the shore, the field team spent a day in a classroom learning exactly what to do, step by step, when they reach a survey point at sea.
The job in five steps
The team was taught a clear routine for every sampling point. First, the point is chosen in advance on a map. Second, the boat uses a smartphone with GPS to find it. Third, the exact position is written down (waves can move a small boat, so this matters). Fourth, the water depth is measured using a small sounding tool or a rope marked with depth marks. Finally, a small underwater camera is lowered to the seabed to take photos.
These photos are what scientists later study to see what lives there - corals, sponges, sea grass, sand, rubble - and how healthy each patch is.
Who taught it
The session was led by Dr. Rushingisha George (lead consultant), Mr. Barakael Matulu (project coordinator) and Dr. Masumbuko Semba (data management and analysis). They walked the team through each step and answered questions one by one.
Practising in the room first
The team practised the easier steps - using the GPS, marking the position, recording depth - right there in the classroom. The harder step, lowering the camera, was saved for the next day at sea. The idea was simple: master the routine on dry land before adding waves and wind.