Innovative Partnership for Enhanced Seafloor Mapping in the Pacific Ocean

In a significant advancement for ocean exploration and marine management, Woolpert, a leader in geospatial services, has teamed up with Saildrone, a company specializing in autonomous maritime vehicles. Together, they are deploying the Saildrone Surveyor, an uncrewed surface vehicle, to gather and process crucial bathymetric survey data for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This initiative is centered off the coast of the Mariana Islands, which is vital for understanding marine ecosystems and enhancing navigation safety across an expansive area of approximately 13,000 square nautical miles in the northwestern Pacific Ocean.

The NOAA has initiated this partnership as part of its broader effort to map, explore, and characterize the United States Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and contribute to the seabed mapping initiatives by 2030. By gathering comprehensive data on the seafloor, Woolpert and Saildrone aim to support NOAA's objectives, which include improving maritime safety and understanding geohazards, ocean conditions, and sensitive habitats.

"The strategic location of the Mariana Islands, combined with its diverse marine ecosystems, underscores the importance of this mapping initiative," said Brian Connon, vice president of ocean mapping at Saildrone. The data collected will not only inform about the marine geohazards but also expand taxonomic reference libraries for marine organisms that are less studied, enhancing researchers' ability to protect these habitats.

Woolpert has been selected by NOAA due to its extensive expertise in lidar and sonar bathymetry data management. Utilizing the Saildrone Surveyor, designed specifically for prolonged maritime operations, the team will autonomously capture high-resolution bathymetric data. This unmanned vehicle is equipped with a cutting-edge hybrid power system, relying on a high-efficiency diesel engine and wind energy harvested by Saildrone's patented wing technology, which boosts fuel efficiency and allows for extended missions even under challenging environmental conditions.

As the project commenced earlier this month, Saildrone is transmitting the captured data to Woolpert in near real-time, which significantly optimizes the processing speed and quality of the data. This collaboration demonstrates how integrating autonomous technologies can revolutionize the acquisition of hydrographic information.

Dave Neff, Woolpert's Maritime Market Director, remarked on the significance of combining Saildrone's advanced technology with Woolpert's automated data production processes. This synergy provides immediate insights into the progress of data acquisition as well as its quality, especially in difficult-to-access deep-water regions. Neff noted, "This partnership showcases the potential of uncrewed systems to expand the horizons of ocean mapping."

Scheduled to conclude in May 2026, this contract highlights the ongoing commitment of both companies to advancing maritime knowledge and capabilities. Woolpert, celebrated for its innovative solutions across various sectors for over a century, continues to lead projects that address pressing environmental and geospatial challenges. Meanwhile, Saildrone remains dedicated to enhancing maritime defense capabilities and ocean exploration through the application of AI and autonomous systems.

In summary, the partnership between Woolpert and Saildrone represents a groundbreaking step in the field of oceanography, aiming to expand our knowledge of the seas while contributing to safer navigation and environmental conservation in one of the world's most critical marine regions.