The MBES NZ-water dataset was collected during the XXXVIII PNRA Italian Antarctic

Expedition aboard R/V Laura Bassi in direct response to a request from New Zealand to

acquire bathymetric data during transits within their waters. The acquisition of this valuable

dataset was carried out by the ISOBatA Project team, utilizing a state-of-the-art multibeam

EM304 system installed on the R/V Laura Bassi.

The genesis of the MBES NZ-water dataset is deeply linked to the international collaborative

effort aimed at mapping unexplored regions, exemplified by the Seabed 2030 Project. By

aligning with New Zealand's research objectives, both the ISOBatA project and the Italian

Antarctic Expedition epitomize their commitment to knowledge exchange and the

advancement of scientific understanding on a global scale. The dataset not only serves as a

fundamental resource for future research endeavors but also unveils new opportunities for

scientists and researchers to delve into the profound depths of Southern Ocean knowledge.

In its essence, the MBES NZ-water dataset stands as a milestone in IT-NZ scientific

cooperation, driving Italian efforts in bathymetric data acquisition along transits