Princess Alice Bank

The western area of the bank has a least depth of 29 metres (95 ft),[1] with clear waters allowing observation of the ocean floor from the surface.

The bathymetric survey was entrusted to captain Charlwood Henry Carrd (1848-1918), who was also the prince's field assistant and navigator of the Princesse Alice.

On 13 July 1896, from Faial, Prince Albert telegrammed King Carlos I of Portugal announcing the discovery and informing him of the usefulness of the bank for fishing.

An area of 50 nautical miles (93 km) around the bank, measured from the coasts of the closest islands, was established by the European Union as a reserve for Azorean fishermen.

Princess Alice Bank is one of the main points of friction, or disagreement, in the current dispute between the Regional Government of the Azores and the European Union regarding the reform of the common fisheries policy.

Map of the Princesse Alice Bank made in July 1896 by the research vessel Princesse Alice, from Monaco
Diving on the peak of Princess Alice Bank. Divers stand at anchor with the boat on the peak.