NOAA’s Office of Coast Survey relies on a highly proficient set of hydrographic surveying teams, to be contracted for surveying thousands of miles of the Northern Gulf. Over the last several years, tens of thousands of square nautical miles of suveying has been implemented, to support the very large and growing Port and Blue Economy of the U.S.
The move to advanced systems, both autonomous and highly advanced survey vessels, is being seen in NOAAs surveying of the Northern Gulf. A 2024 project has seen the work of both the Survey Vessel Blake (David Evans and Associates) and the utilization of a DRIX autonomous survey vehicle.
An illustration of the deployment and utilization of an autonomous vehicle, engaged in a multi month large area survey, will be highligted in the presentation. The utilization of both multibeam sonar and the planning and survey project area coverage by the vehicle will shown in preliminary imagery and hydrography.
The ability to deploy and utilized autonomous vehicles for large area and long duration projects is now a reality. A focus on additional deployments and expanding the range/variety of surveying and environmental mission efforts – utlizing low carbon footprint/reduced manpower/environmentally beneficial technology and platforms- should be increased significantly.
