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Diver visibility reports FAQ

Updated: Jul 24, 2024

We’ve just launched a campaign to collect 350 diver visibility reports to train a new version of our underwater visibility forecasting model. Please, report visibility from your dives to help us achieve this goal! We will reward our most active reporters with some tokens of gratitude 😀


We’ve recently released model v2.2 of our visibilty forecasting model, and we now need many more reports to keep improving. 


Screenshot of Marla website. Showing a list of diver reports, and a progress bar with 295 reports needed to unlock algorithm v3

Your diver visibility reports

Marla's dive visibility forecast is calculated by analysing satellite images, sea and weather conditions against diver reports. Your diver reports are crucial to improving the accuracy of the model. We use your reports to:

  • understand how accurate the current model is

  • and then improve the next version 

  • help other divers get real-time diving information


Snorkelling guide Genine Keogh from Snorkel Wild is in the water almost daily, letting divers who don't live near the coast know what the viz is like

Snorkelling guide Genine Keogh from Snorkel Wild is in the water almost daily, letting divers who don't live near the coast know what the viz is like


How to submit a visibility report 

To submit a viz report click on a dive spot (or anywhere on the map) where you went diving. Click on the blue Report Viz button, add the date of your dive, the visibility, your diver report and name, and press submit.


To continue building and improving the most accurate and reliable underwater visibility forecasting model, we need as many visibility reports as possible from divers all over the UK. Here’s how you can help:


  • Submit reports from any location along the UK coast, from any of your past dives.

  • Report the viz whether the visibility matches Marla's prediction or not, your report helps us understand the accuracy of the current model.

  • Share any other information that will help divers, any wildlife you saw, the sea state, about the currents or anything else. 


An example of the report viz form. Add your dive date, visibility, diver report notes and your name

Accuracy of dive reports 

We know that viz is subjective and difficult to estimate underwater! There are many methods divers use to estimate the viz, some are better than others. 


We have to trust the visibility reports we get are accurate. By having a large number of reports, we can average out the accuracy of the reports.


Once we have enough reports we’ll be able to analyse your reports against the forecasts, and we’ll be able to share how accurate the forecasts are. 


Progress bar showing 295 more reports are needed to unlock visibility forecasting algorithm V3

Join us in creating a better tool

Your contributions are invaluable. By sharing your visibility reports, you’re helping the entire diving community plan safer and more enjoyable dives. Thank you for being part of this journey with us!


Leave your email if you want to learn more about the project, get future updates or be part of more research.



 
 

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