June 23, 2021
Collaborative unmanned surface vessel training and surveying project underway in Thunder Bay
The Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping/Joint Hydrographic Center's marine robotics team is currently deployed to Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary in Lake Huron. The expedition is hosted by Jeff Gray and Stephanie Gandulla of the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, and coordinated by the Ocean Exploration Trust. The CCOM/JHC team is led by Val Schmidt and includes University of New Hampshire (UNH) staff Andy McLeod, Roland Arsenault, KG Fairbarn, Steve Wissow, UNH undergraduate summer intern Tom Spiro, and UNH graduate student/OCS physical scientist Clint Marcus. Aiding in the survey effort and operating BEN with guidance from the CCOM/JHC team are LCDR Damian Manda, Rob Downs, and LTJG Harper Umfress of the Hydrographic Systems and Technology Branch, Alex Ligon of the Navigation Response Branch/NRT-Stennis, and LTJG Mike Card of the Office of Marine and Aviation Operations. The Thunder Bay Expedition is a collaborative effort to map portions of the newly expanded sanctuary with the primary objective of underwater archeology. The expedition will provide data for nautical charting, and serves as a proving ground for development of new technologies and an opportunity to train students and NOAA personnel in field operations of marine robotics. For more information contact HSTB.chief@noaa.gov.
Coast Survey Development Lab receives funding for unmanned surface vehicle purchase
A Coast Survey Development Lab proposal to purchase a high endurance unmanned surface vehicle (USV) was selected for funding by the Office of Marine and Aviation Operations – Uncrewed Systems Operation Center. This proposal is a collaboration with the National Marine Fisheries Service – Alaska Fisheries Science Center and includes the outfitting and initial operation of the USV from NOAA ships for hydrographic and fisheries acoustic surveys. Coast Survey's primary investigators are Damian Manda and Rob Downs. For more information contact HSTB.chief@noaa.gov.
Hydropickers participate in Clean the Bay Day
The Atlantic Hydrographic Branch Hydropickers enjoyed a brief showing of sun on Friday June 4 for the 2021 Chesapeake Bay Foundation's Clean the Bay Day. The brave volunteers picked up approximately 50 pounds of trash along the northeast section of The Hague, off the north side of the Elizabeth River in Norfolk, Virginia. There was an eclectic collection of trash, from a hula hoop to many cigarette filters – perhaps in the future we'll submit these to help make benches. There was also a fun photo-bomb opportunity with a prom photo shoot happening at the museum. No prom dresses, suits, or feelings were harmed during the event. For more information contact Rita.S.Bowker@noaa.gov.
Coast Survey collects aerial images on the Severn, South, and West Rivers
On the morning of June 15, John Doroba from the Coast Survey Development Lab and Tom Loeper from the Navigation Services Division, met with Ann Arundel County Park Ranger Adam Smith to snap some oblique aerial images of several rivers on the Western Shore of the Chesapeake Bay. In addition to acquiring images, the purpose of the mission was to gain experience collecting images for the U.S. Coast Pilot using unmanned aerial aircraft and also to update the aerial photography specification for the Coast Pilot. Nearly all the oblique images in the Coast Pilot collected over the years were taken from airplanes or helicopters which is a very expensive and time consuming effort. Starting with the 2022 field season, many contract and NOAA hydrographic survey project instructions will request drone imagery of features like ports, harbors, and rivers, providing the mariner a better visual image of what to expect before they arrive. For more information contact John.Doroba@noaa.gov or Thomas.Loeper@noaa.gov.
National Ocean Service updates Marine Board on activities
Dr. Jeff Payne, director Office for Coastal Management and Heather Gilbert, NOAA senior advisor and deputy director to the U.S. Committee on the Marine Transportation System, virtually attended the spring meeting of the Transportation Research Board – Marine Board on June 17-18. The Marine Board, of which NOAA is a sponsoring agency, identifies research needs and provides a forum for exchange of information relating to new technologies, laws and regulations, economics, environment, and other issues affecting the marine transportation system, port operations, coastal engineering, and marine governance. At the spring meeting Dr. Payne, on behalf of NOS Acting Assistant Administrator Nicole LeBoeuf, presented on a panel discussing emerging technologies in the maritime domain, where he touched on NOAA's role in offshore wind, aquaculture, and hydrokinetic energy. Updates on NOAA and NOS activities included the NOAA Precision Marine Navigation program, NOAA's new unmanned systems operations program, MarineCadastre oceans reports, NOS autonomous technologies, and updates on PORTS®. For more information contact Heather.Gilbert@noaa.gov.
NOAA Ships and Contractor Operations
Weekly Hydro Ship Activity Report – Week of June 13 through June 19, 2021
Navigation Response Team Activities
Weekly Hydro Ship Activity Report – Week of June 13 through June 19, 2021
Navigation Response Team Activities
- NRT-Seattle – approaches to Bremerton project
- NRT-New London – western Lake Michigan project
- Bay Hydro II – Solomons, Maryland project
- NRT-Fernandina – St. Andrews Sound, Georgia project
- NRT-Stennis – Mississippi Sound unverified chart features project
Staff Updates
Jose Rivera joined the federal workforce in May 2021. He has provided the Coast Survey IT help desk with excellent support since January 2007. His first role was as help desk engineer tier 2 support and in May 2010, moved to the position of help desk manager as a contractor. As help desk manager, Jose led the team to both individual and team awards for outstanding customer service. Throughout his tenure with the help desk, he has provided support for software and hardware, operating systems, and customer support for Coast Survey offices in Silver Spring, Norfolk, and Seattle. Jose loves to play all sports, but most of his attention goes toward watching his favorite team, FC Barcelona. Jose lives in Silver Spring, Maryland with his wife Karen and their four children, Fernando, Luis, Sofia, and Emilio. Jose was born in El Salvador and has lived in the DC area for 38 years. Congratulations Jose!
did you know?
World Hydro Day 2021 was observed on Monday, June 21. For information and stories about how Coast Survey celebrates this day, go to Coast Surveys World Hydrography Day webpage.
coming up
6/29 – June IOCM seminar: Spatial priorities study results: Great Lakes mapping priorities
7/14 – Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping Joint Hydrographic Center annual review
7/22 – July IOCM seminar: Nowcasting depth change on the Mississippi River delta front
diversity and inclusion
In this last week of Pride Month, we celebrate Gilbert Baker, father of the Rainbow Flag. Gilbert explained, "What I liked about the rainbow is that it fits all of us. It’s all the colors. It represents all the genders. It represents all the races. It’s the rainbow of humanity." Be sure to check out Spotlight Issue 3.
