Hydrographic surveying is an essential part of underwater mapping. This process involves measuring and fixing a three-dimensional position to determine an underwater area’s physical makeup. It is impossible to complete any form of maritime project without underwater mapping as it is integral to the project’s planning and execution.
Throughout this process, vital data is collected to assess the seafloor and subsea conditions to ensure that the project can be properly executed.
You can probably imagine that there is a lot of fascinating technology used in this process, and we are going to take a better look at it below:
What tech is used for underwater mapping?
Maritime projects require cutting-edge hydrographic surveying to determine the seafloor and subsea conditions. They utilise echo sounding, satellite positioning systems, and density profilers to create an accurate depiction of the seafloor’s physical makeup.
What’s more, a range of techniques are employed to ensure the most accurate map is taken. Bathymetric charts are utilised for both maritime scientific and safety purposes.
Below is a list of the state of the art technology enlist to provide comprehensive underwater mapping:
Echo-sounding
Echo-sounding utilises sound pulses to send information into the water. Throughout the process of pulse recurrence, the time length between emissions and returns is recorded and this creates a measurement of water depth. The echo-sounding technology is also used to study aquatic habitats and sea life.
The hydro-acoustic analysis of sea life habitat can either be conducted using stationary transducers to monitor passing sea creatures or from a boat-conducted mobile survey. There is both single and multi-beam echo-sounding technology.
Single-beam survey
A single-beam survey is enlisted to examine a particular part of the sea bed. This system comprises a transmitter and a receiver. A bathymetric map is created by sailing parallel to the surveying location and measuring each line’s area. The system can be used in both deep and shallow waters.
Acoustic sounding conducted on the sea floor can be incredibly accurate. However, muddy or obscure water can inhibit its accuracy, and so a lot of this process depends on the sonar frequency utilised to take the recording. Multibeam echo-sounding technology is also typically enlisted when a high-density sea floor recording is required.
Multi-beam surveying
Multi-beam echo-sounding operates like single-beam echo-sounding but with numerous sound beams as opposed to one. Multi-beam technology can comprise up to 1024 beams, which can correlate their outputs together to transmit sound in a particular direction.
Measuring the sound travel time between the sender and the seabed can accurately measure the seabed’s surface. When utilising a multi-beam echo sounder on a boat you require precise positioning for every single beam. This beam is then captured by a cutting-edge Inertial Navigation System (INS).
Side scan sonar
Side scan sonar provides an accurate picture of the seabed over a large recording area. What’s more, it provides a fantastic tool for identifying and detecting underwater objects like debris, pipelines and rocks.
LiDAR
LiDAR is high-tech sensing equipment that enlists laser light pulses to measure variable distances from the Earth. These measurements provide a three-dimensional makeup of the Earth’s shape and surface characteristics. This helps experts to study natural and artificial environments located beneath the ocean’s surface.
The technology used to produce comprehensive underwater maps is highly complex. Therefore, you can only trust the experts to provide comprehensive hydrographic surveying. They have the skills, experience, and access to the technology required to provide the most accurate and comprehensive mapping service possible!