New nautical chart data coming from the Gulf of Mexico

A graphic showing a chart of the Gulf of Mexico with survey area representing 2022 survey results from NOAA Ship Ferdinand R. Hassler.

It is a rare privilege to see the habitats we are mapping. The National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science lead Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Damage Assessment has provided one of those rare opportunities where the foundational bathymetric and backscatter data is being used to identify key mesophotic and deep benthic habitats for remotely operated vehicle exploration. Coast Survey is assisting in this collaboration with two of eight 2022 expeditions in the Gulf of Mexico, and the recently acquired data on NOAA Ship Ship Ferdinand R. Hassler. Hassler recently finished one of these projects providing foundational bathymetric and backscatter data across 785 square nautical miles of the seafloor (an area larger than Rhode Island). These data are now being used to identify key mesophotic and deep benthic habitats for remotely operated vehicle exploration, and to update the nautical charts covering the area. For more information, see Scientific Cruises Set Sail to Help Restore Open Ocean Communities, and the Wavelengths Summer Edition 2022 news article, Seafloor Mapping and Coral Sampling: Two of Eight Scientific Cruises Complete.

Coast Survey demonstrates prototype S-102 data

An image showing two screen shots of a portable pilot unit with S-102 data turned off (left) and S-102 data turned on (right).

Northeast Navigation Manager Colleen Roche along with Julia Powell and Lucy Hick, visited the Sandy Hook Pilots and U.S. Coast Guard District 1 to discuss the prototype S-102 (bathymetry) data. They also discussed the ongoing nautical chart transition and demoed the NOAA Custom Chart application and the Nautical Chart Display System. The pilots were able to ingest the prototype S-102 data into a Trelleborg Safepilot system and use that data to extract a user defined safety contour. The layering algorithm still needs work so that the LandArea overlay is shown above the S-102 data. Special thanks goes out to Barry Gallagher for updating the S-102 processes to the latest edition of S-102, Erin Nagel for her development work to automate the ingestion into the Precision Marine Navigation dissemination system that also creates the relevant discovery metadata, Colleen Roche for her coordination with both Trelleborg and the Sandy Hook Pilots and Jeff Ferguson for his coordination with the Jacobsen Pilots and SeaIQ. For more information, contact Collen.Roche@noaa.gov.

New shoreline and hydrography added to nautical charts along the Gulf Coast

An image showing a liquid natural gas vessel loading cargo at Sabine Pass, Louisiana. (Credit: NOAA/Tim Osborn)

The Gulf Coast is seeing several new liquid natural gas (LNG) export terminals being built and going online. Coast Survey is very active in working with the pilots across the Gulf to update nautical charts with new terminals and with expansions/additions to existing terminals. In the case of Venture Global's new LNG terminal at Calcasieu Pass, Coast Survey worked with the company and pilots to apply a new harbor, new docks and mooring areas to the nautical charts in time for the first ship arrival earlier this year. Another facility at Sabine Pass, the Cheniere LNG facility – the nation's largest – needed a third berth to handle a growing number of vessels. Coast Survey's navigation managers conducted field visits to gather information and the company provided detailed drawings and diagrams of the new third berth to the Marine Chart Division and Hydrographic Surveys Division. With the cost of the vessel and a full load of LNG, the overall value of just one shipment is greater than half a billion dollars. Cheniere Sabine Pass can load over 40 LNG carriers a month from its facility and (soon) three berths. The accuracy and timeliness of charting these facilities has become very important. Just one facility with an unplanned disruption has seen an economic impact on gas prices in Europe rise significantly. For more information, contact Tim.Osborn@noaa.gov.

NOAA Ships and Contractor Operations

Weekly Hydro Ship Activity Report – July 10 through July 16, 2022

Weekly Hydro Ship Activity Report – July 17 through July 23, 2022

Weekly Hydro Ship Activity Report – July 24 through July 30, 2022

Navigation Response Team Activities

NRT-New London completed surveying their assigned priority area in the Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary. Local media met with the crew and sanctuary personnel on Friday, July 29 to learn more about the survey work being conducted in the area. The team traveled to Detroit, Michigan to meet with NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson's survey launch and crew and begin their joint survey in the Detroit River on August 4.

NRT-Seattle is completing their Grays Harbor, Washington survey. Once finished by the end of the week, they will start surveying the upper Columbia River in support of the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fisheries Commission.

Team members of the Bay Hydro II visit the Office of the Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere. From left to right: LTJG Kevin Tennyson, Robb Mowery, LTJG Carly Robbins, CDR Olivia Hauser, LTJG Jane Saunders, CAPT Chris van Westendorp.

NRT-Fernandina Beach completed their assigned survey of Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary on August 5. The sanctuary and Navigation Response Branch will have an after survey debrief and start discussions for next year's survey plans in the sanctuary.

NRT-Stennis uncrewed systems is working on their survey in Biloxi Bay. A new POS/MV was installed and integrated last week, better preparing them for response work.

Bay Hydro II's engine repair contract was awarded last week. A start and completion date will be determined by the end of this week, once lead time for parts and contractor availability have been determined. LTJG Jane Saunders became officer in charge of Bay Hydro II on July 27. In addition, the crew of Bay Hydro II visited headquarters in Silver Spring on July 26. They toured the NOAA Corps Commissioned Personnel Center, met with RDML Evans and had in person discussions with other Coast Survey personnel. They also took a quick stop on the 15th floor, to the NOAA Deputy Under Secretary's front office.