MBES-training Using a Remotely Operated USV

Swathe Services, a Hydrographic survey support company in Hayle, Cornwall (UK) ran the world’s first Multi-Beam Echo-Sounder training course using a remotely operated Unmanned Surface Vessel. People came from as far afield as Norway, France, Slovenia, UK and the USA to attend the intensive 5-day course. As part of the training, the delegates mapped Hayle Harbour in Cornwall using an Unmanned Surface Vessel fitted with Multi-beam Echo-Sounder technology. The USV was remotely operated from Swathe Services offices nearby using dedicated survey data acquisition software from HYPACK.

Hands-on Training

Kordula Schwarzwalder, a Researcher from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, said: “This course is invaluable for me as a researcher as we use these USV’s to map rivers in Norway, so having hands-on training on remotely operating these vessels is very useful. I’ve learnt so much in such a short time.”

Pierre Mezerette from SBG Systems in France said: “I have been training with HYPACK which is a fantastic software programme for Hydrographic Surveying, and to see the USV operating remotely in the harbour was just amazing. It’s changing the way we survey ports and harbours.”

Managing Director of Swathe Services, James Williams said: “We’re the only company to date offering commercial hands-on MBES training using a USV. Our sister company Unmanned Survey Solutions provided the remotely operated Unmanned Surface Vessel for the training and it all worked perfectly."

Swathe Services are a Hydrographic Survey services company based at Hayle Marine Renewables Business park, Cornwall UK. They specialise in hydrographic survey support and support for the global survey industry. They work with the offshore oil and gas, renewables, environmental and coastal industries.