M&E Deploys Autonomous Survey Vessel on Florida Reef Survey
Morgan & Eklund (M&E) recently announced the successful completion of a multibeam and side-scan sonar survey to map and monitor an artificial reef offshore Fort Pierce along the Treasure Coast of eastern Florida. A post-construction survey was completed entirely using a SeaRobotics (SR) 'Surveyor Class' autonomous surface vessel (ASV). The objective of the survey was to verify seafloor conditions and accurate placement of artificial reefs.
With its catamaran hull design, the SR-Surveyor M1.8 is an autonomous platform equipped with a multi-sensor package, that includes an EdgeTech 2205 multibeam echosounder, a 1,600kHz and 540kHz dual-beam side-scan sonar, an AML Oceanographic SV sound velocity sensor, and a Velodyne Lidar for mapping features above the water surface. The SR-Surveyor M1.8 is a platform designed to survey inland lakes, areas with limited access, dams, tailing ponds and other areas where typical vessel operations are limited.
Beach and Coastal Survey Services
The acquisition of the SR-Surveyor M1.8 is part of M&E’s strategy to develop an advanced Remote Vehicle Services Division to evolve hydrographic surveying technology using autonomous data acquisition whenever possible. This would support beach and coastal survey services and improve the cost-effectiveness, efficiency and safety of daily operations. The delivery of the SR-Surveyor M1.8 is the first in a multi-vehicle order. M&E plans to expand its fleet with additional SR-Surveyor M1.8 vehicles and the larger Utility Class ASV from SR – the SR-Utility 3.0.
“M&E has continually adapted to the latest innovations and field methodologies during its 35-year corporate history,” according to M&E director Rob Collaro. “Our Remote Vehicle Services Division represents the latest chapter in how we leverage breaking technology to meet the surveying needs of Florida waters, beaches and beyond by providing high quality, unbiased data to our clients.”
A sister company of CSA Ocean Sciences, M&E is a hydrographic survey company specializing in coastal nearshore mapping of ports, harbours and infrastructure.
