Gran Barrera Oceánica
GBO 60×60
Offshore sargassum diversion project
Cozumel Channel · Quintana Roo · Mexico
Instead of entering the Cozumel Channel, between the mainland and the island, the sargassum is turned south of Punta Celarain and climbs along the exterior, eastern coast of Cozumel. From there the current carries it towards the Gulf of Mexico, where it completes its cycle at sea rather than stranding on the beaches of Quintana Roo.
Concept development and engineering definition
- 60 km of nominal barrier
- Six staggered 10 km segments
- Nominal 60° toward the northeast
The sargassum is routed around the east side of Cozumel
North is up in the schematic: the Cozumel Channel runs between the mainland and the west shore of the island. The barrier does not collect the sargassum, it changes its course. Instead of entering that channel, the biomass is turned south of Punta Celarain and climbs along the exterior, eastern side of the island, where the current carries it towards the Gulf of Mexico. The six numbered barriers sit parallel to the current: the sargassum reaches them, piles against their outer face and slides along the line without crossing.
- 01Today
The channel takes it to the beach
Arriving from the Caribbean, the sargassum reaches the southern mouth of the Cozumel Channel, between the Quintana Roo coast and the west shore of the island. The current concentrates it there and the easterly winds push it onto the beaches, where it strands.
- 02With the barrier
The channel mouth closes and the drift turns east
The 60 km alignment runs at about 60 degrees, the same angle at which the current arrives, from the southern coast near Boca Paila to Punta Celarain. It is built as six staggered 10 km segments: the southernmost sits on the mainland shore, the northernmost on the island, and each one steps over the end of the previous one, so there is no gap left open for the sargassum to pass.
- 03Result
It rounds the island on the outside
The biomass passes south of Punta Celarain and runs north along the exterior coast of Cozumel, on the Caribbean side, instead of squeezing between the island and the mainland. North of the island, the current carries it into the Gulf of Mexico, where it disperses and completes its cycle away from the shore.
Caribbean → Cozumel Channel, inside, west of the island → easterly winds → Quintana Roo beaches
Arrival, stranding and daily removal along the coast.
Caribbean → staggered barrier at 60° → Punta Celarain → east coast of the island, outside → Gulf of Mexico
The drift follows the same angle as the current, offshore and outside the island: full oceanic cycle, far from the beach.
Indicative concept parameters. Diversion above 90 percent is a performance target that requires site specific modelling and field validation.
- Nominal barrier length
- 60km
- Staggered segments
- 6×10 km
- Nominal orientation
- 60degrees
- Reference investment
- 91.464USD M
- Indicative programme
- 17months
- Diversion target
- 90%+
Six 10 km segments
Spacing and overlaps to be designed
Toward the northeast
60 km installed, concept estimate
Planning assumption
Biomass passing the channel
A controlled boundary, offshore
Intercept the biomass where the ocean is still open, change its path along a managed alignment, and reduce exposure at the coast.
GBO 60×60 is a proposed regional sargassum diversion system in the Cozumel Channel. It intercepts part of the incoming floating biomass offshore and guides its movement along a managed alignment, reducing exposure at coastal destinations in Quintana Roo.
The reference configuration is 60 km of nominal barrier divided into six staggered 10 km segments, oriented approximately 60 degrees toward the northeast, with mooring and positioning equipment and an integrated monitoring and support fleet.
The project combines physical marine infrastructure with oceanographic forecasting, operational control and continuing environmental observation. Those three elements are what make a long floating alignment manageable in a moving ocean.
Physical infrastructure
HDPE pipe, 60 inch cylindrical floats, articulated connections, moorings and position management equipment.
Prediction and modelling
Oceanographic surveys, hydrodynamic and transport modelling, satellite imagery, drones and in situ instruments.
Operations and observation
Operating states, vessel coordination, maintenance, environmental monitoring and measured performance evidence.
Concept development and engineering definition. The reference investment is USD 91.464 million for 60 km of installed barrier, with an indicative programme of approximately 17 months. These are planning assumptions, not contractual delivery commitments.
Project sponsors, marine engineers, environmental specialists, prospective suppliers, operators and financing reviewers.
The dossier, section by section
Each part of the project has its own page, so the photographs and the engineering detail carry their own weight instead of competing for one screen.