Comments on New Loch Ness Search Tool
Posted by: John Kirk on April 23rd, 2007
As Craig posted previously here on Cryptomundo, another Scottish cruise boat enterprise is attempting to add its resources to the search for the supposed cryptid of Loch Ness. Jacobite Cruises is adding sonar to their vessels in a bid to locate the infamous denizen of the loch.
The use of sonar at Loch Ness is actually nothing new. Various fishing boats, the Rines teams and other cruise companies have employed sonar at Loch Ness. The largest single deployment of sonar was the Operation Deepscan search in 1987 where over 20 cabin cruisers threw a sonar curtain over the loch and some interesting readings were recorded.
When I first visited the loch in 1995 I went on a cruise aboard a tour boat equipped with sonar and was regaled with stories of readings which the tale spinner graphically described. He was able to tell me exact lengths and weights, which I found odd as any data garnered from sonar is subjective at best.
During that same initial village I saw the Swatch minisub which offered underwater cruises of the loch for a hefty fee. I did not bother going down in the sub as the loch is so peat-stained visibility at subsurface levels is abysmal at best. I never heard of anyone seeing anything out of the ordinary during the sub’s run at Loch Ness. However, they did hear strange noises underwater on several occasions which have never been amply explained.
I earnestly hope that Jacobite Cruises do detect something on their sonars in Loch Ness, but I will not be holding my breath. With each passing day I find the likelihood of a cryptid dwelling in Scotland’s most famous loch less and less unlikely.
Come on Nessie, prove me wrong!
About John Kirk
One of the founders of the BCSCC, John Kirk has enjoyed a varied and exciting career path. Both a print and broadcast journalist, John Kirk has in recent years been at the forefront of much of the BCSCC’s expeditions, investigations and publishing. John has been particularly interested in the phenomenon of unknown aquatic cryptids around the world and is the author of In the Domain of the Lake Monsters (Key Porter Books, 1998).
In addition to his interest in freshwater cryptids, John has been keenly interested in investigating the possible existence of sasquatch and other bipedal hominids of the world, and in particular, the Yeren of China. John is also chairman of the Crypto Safari organization, which specializes in sending teams of investigators to remote parts of the world to search for animals as yet unidentified by science. John travelled with a Crypto Safari team to Cameroon and northern Republic of Congo to interview witnesses among the Baka pygmies and Bantu bushmen who have sighted a large unknown animal that bears more than a superficial resemblance to a dinosaur.
Since 1996, John Kirk has been editor and publisher of the BCSCC Quarterly which is the flagship publication of the BCSCC. In demand at conferences, seminars, lectures and on television and radio programs, John has spoken all over North America and has appeared in programs on NBC, ABC, CBS, PBS, TLC, Discovery, CBC, CTV and the BBC.
In his personal life John spends much time studying the histories of Scottish Clans and is himself the president of the Clan Kirk Society. John is also an avid soccer enthusiast and player.
Thanks for the article, John. I guess we’ll all be waiting to see what if anything this latest addition to the sonar effort brings us.
What those Scotties need is to git about a hunnert good ol’ boys from the South and have a bass fishin’ tournament in the loch.They’d bring enuf hi tech sonar gear, fish finders and tackle to catch several Nessies.
Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s could underwrite the deal and Roland Martin and Bill Dance could film their shows from the Loch.
I’ve been there, there is nothing there.