Post-Katrina Acoustic Imaging

Boh Bros. Construction Co., L. L .C. of New Orleans is detecting hazards left behind beneath the murky waters of the Port of New Orleans inner harbour navigation canal by Hurricane Katrina. Underwater imaging technology and expertise offered by engineering and surveying firm C. H. Fenstermaker & Associates Inc. is being used. Specially configured scanning sonar and software is being used by Fenstermaker’s Acoustic Imaging Group to gather imagery of the underwater portions of support structures for vehicular and railway bridges that cross the canal at Almonaster Ave., Florida Ave. and Seabrook. The data is then analysed for damage. The group is also scanning the canal for sunken barges, ships, boats and other debris that could impede harbour traffic. The results are then shared with Boh Bros., Modjeski and Masters Consulting Engineers and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, so that problems can be addressed.