Uncrewed Systems for Hydrographic Surveying

Uncrewed Systems

Deck and survey crew of NOAA Ship Ferdinand R. Hassler during Office of Coast Survey's evaluation of AUVs for charting applications.

Uncrewed Systems

Harnessing the technology of uncrewed vehicles in surveying expands NOAA's capacity to survey in shallow waters and increases efficiency in deeper water. NOAA's Office of Coast Survey has been investigating the use of uncrewed survey systems to support hydrographic survey operations since 2004, beginning with small, portable Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) for emergency response and special project surveys. Since then Coast Survey has expanded its use of both small and large uncrewed surface vehicles (or USVs) for hydrographic surveys in support of navigation safety, emergency response, and seafloor mapping.

Coast Survey's Autonomous Systems Strategy

• Develop technology and procedures, including automated data acquisition and processing tools, new data acquisition procedures, and data telemetry to support unmanned operations and benefit conventional manned survey platforms.
• Establish a dedicated Coast Survey team specializing in the operational use of unmanned systems.
• Convert existing hydrographic survey launches to operate in either manned or unmanned modes to take advantage of existing shipboard infrastructure and expertise, while incrementally adopting new technology and procedures.
View of NOAA Ship Ferdinand R. Hassler from an autonomous underwater vehicle.
• Continue to support the development and transfer-to-operations of unmanned systems that benefit Coast Survey's mission.
• Continue to collaborate with government, academic and industry partners to share expertise and resources and direct and expedite development.