#United States #Pensacola #Woolpert #Hydrographic Survey #Chance Maritime

Woolpert and Chance Maritime's Revolutionary Hydrographic Survey

In a groundbreaking initiative, Woolpert has embarked on its inaugural fully uncrewed offshore hydrographic survey along Florida's Gulf Coast in collaboration with Chance Maritime. This innovative mission, which supports the research efforts of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is utilizing multiple uncrewed survey vessels equipped with advanced multibeam sonar technology. The primary objective is to meticulously map deep-sea corals and vital marine habitats offshore of Pensacola, Florida.

The deployment includes the state-of-the-art Chance MC40 vessel, renowned for its ability to operate continuously at sea for over 90 days. Together, these uncrewed vessels will cover an impressive 1,391 square nautical miles, gathering high-resolution survey data crucial for exploring deep-sea ecosystems, identifying seafloor hazards, and detecting ongoing environmental changes. This data will not only enrich NOAA’s existing nautical charting products but also significantly enhance maritime safety.

Chris Taylor, an ecologist with NOAA's National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, emphasized the importance of this project, stating, "This survey will fill critical gaps in modern seafloor mapping data in the Gulf of America. The new maps generated from this endeavor will assist NOAA and its partners in creating detailed habitat maps, supporting restoration efforts for communities affected by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill."

To ensure efficiency in data collection, Woolpert has also mobilized another uncrewed survey vessel, the Chance MC29. This strategic deployment allows for simultaneous operations, maximizing output while adhering to safety protocols by eliminating the need for crewed vessels in challenging offshore environments. The mission aims to survey approximately 11,000 linear nautical miles over the course of several months.

Woolpert’s hydrographers, strategically spread across various time zones, will manage the survey activities around the clock. As data collection occurs, all findings are transmitted to a cloud server utilizing Starlink satellite communications, where it is processed through Woolpert's Automatic Survey Production Environment (ASPEN). After initial processing, a specialized team will further refine the data for subsequent analysis.

Dave Neff, Woolpert’s Program Director, has highlighted the significant advantages that uncrewed survey vessels offer for offshore data collection. Neff remarked, "These vessels not only allow us to gather high-quality hydrographic data more efficiently but also significantly reduce operational risks—an essential factor when working in challenging deep-ocean conditions. This project exemplifies the valuable role of unmanned vessels in broadening our access to critical oceanic data while minimizing risks associated with traditional methods."

The current survey, which commenced earlier this year, is projected to reach completion by the end of 2026. This mission follows the success of a previous hybrid crewed/uncrewed survey conducted by Woolpert and Chance Maritime. This prior initiative involved the Chance MC29 and Woolpert’s R/V Thunder, covering over 6,000 linear nautical miles of seafloor bathymetry data, contributing significantly to the Florida Seafloor Mapping Initiative.

About Woolpert

Woolpert has established itself as a leader in architecture, engineering, and geospatial (AEG) services, boasting over a century's worth of expertise in driving innovations that make a meaningful impact across various sectors. The company prides itself on maintaining a workplace with high employee satisfaction, recognized as a certified Great Place to Work and ranked among the top design firms globally.

About Chance Maritime Technologies

Chance Maritime specializes in the design, construction, leasing, and sales of uncrewed survey vessels for clients in commercial, governmental, and academic sectors worldwide. With a team that brings over 150 years of combined experience in uncrewed vessel operations, Chance Maritime is committed to delivering reliable and mission-focused solutions.

This revolutionary partnership between Woolpert and Chance Maritime illustrates the future of marine research. As uncrewed technologies continue to evolve, they unlock new possibilities for understanding and protecting our vital ocean ecosystems while ensuring safety and efficiency in maritime operations.