What does the seafloor look like?  To help answer this question multibeam and sidescan sonar is used on the R/V VenTresca.  A rare habitat called rhodolith beds, calcareous algae beds which look like tiny tumble weeds, are present around Catalina.  Thanks to graduate student Paul Tompkins at Moss Landing Marine Labs the locations of the beds have been found by using SCUBA, Manta tows, and drop camera work.  Using multibeam and sonar, the R/V VenTresca may have the ability to find these beds without having to dive in the water.