Multibeam data (MBES) based on the KONGSBERG EM120 Multibeam echosounder was recorded during the RV MARIA S. MERIAN cruise MSM20/4 (WACOM). The cruise took place between 14.3.2012 and 7.4.2012 in the West Atlantic (Florida Strait, Caribbean). Being a part of the international program TRACES (Trans Atlantic Coral Ecosystem Studies), the main research goal of the cruise was the investigation of the occurrence and diversity of cold water corals (CWC), to compare these findings with information about coral ecosystems in other parts of the Atlantic. Using sampling equipment (CTD, box and gravity corer) as well as the Remotely Operating Vehicle (ROV) CHEROKEE (MARUM) physical and biological factors, which control the occurrence of CWCs, were further examined. Hydroacoustic equipment like the EM120, EM1002 and Parasound PS70 by ATLAS were utilized to map the research areas and to plan sampling stations. CI Citation: Paul Wintersteller (seafloor-imaging@marum.de) as responsible party for bathymetry raw data ingest and approval. Description of the data source: During the RV MARIA S MERIAN cruise MSM20/4 the ships hull-mounted KONGSBERG EM120 multibeam echosounder with a nominal sounding frequency of 12 kHz was utilized. Up to 191 individual beams are formed for each ping, while the seafloor is detected using amplitude and phase information for each beam sounding. The beam spacing was equidistal and the maximum swath angle was set to 120°. Pitch and Yaw stabilizations were used. Multiple CTDs were taken during the cruise. Therefore Sound Velocity Profiles were calculated and applied to the multibeam data. In addition to the KONGSBERG EM120, the EM1002 was used in shallower depths. For further information consult https://www.km.kongsberg.com/. Responsible person during this cruise / PI: Paul Wintersteller (seafloor-imaging@marum.de) Chief Scientist: Dierk Hebbeln (dhebbeln@marum.de) CR: https://www.tib.eu/de/suchen/id/awi%3Adoi~10.2312%252Fcr_msm20_4/ CSR: https://www2.bsh.de/aktdat/dod/fahrtergebnis/2012/20120077.htm