Saildrone and Kongsberg Discovery collaborate to map the waters of the Cayman Islands
Saildrone has deployed its Surveyor USV to map 100,530km2 of the Cayman Islands’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Kongsberg Discovery is contributing by providing data and showcasing the capabilities of the EM304 and EM2040 multibeam echosounders.
Understanding the biodiversity, seabed topography and resources of the waters surrounding the Cayman Islands – which are as fragile as they are stunning – is fundamental to preserving their unique beauty, helping islanders and visitors utilize and enjoy them for generations to come. Thankfully, Saildrone is on the case, utilizing state-of-the-art hydroacoustic systems from Kongsberg Discovery.
Saildrone, a world leader in uncrewed surface vehicle (USV) innovation, has deployed a 20-metre autonomous Surveyor to map around 80% of the British Overseas Territory’s EEZ in a mission expected to take approximately one year. Outfitted with Kongsberg Discovery’s EM304 MKII and EM2040 multibeam echosounders, alongside an array of metocean sensors, cameras, radar and machine learning technology, the eye-catching USV can work with unmatched speed, efficiency and results on the demanding task.
Autonomy paired with optimal mapping technology
Saildrone’s Surveyor offers a highly efficient alternative to traditional survey vessels. Unlike conventional ships, which can take years to build and require specialized crews, the Surveyor is an affordable, quickly deployed autonomous solution that significantly reduces risk and decreases operational carbon emissions by 97%. With a longer operational window, it tackles the complex challenge of seafloor mapping – especially critical given that only 26% of the ocean floor is mapped – while delivering exceptional performance when paired with advanced payloads.
“This is an essential mission to capture precise seabed topography data to understand and protect the Cayman Islands’ marine resources and ecosystems,” stated Brian Connon, Saildrone, vice president ocean mapping. “With high-resolution mapping we can unlock tremendous value for society here, providing a solid platform for exploration, research, conservation and management, as well as more detailed charting and safer navigation.”
Connon added: “The quality of the results we’re looking for makes it imperative to marry the functionality and operability of the Surveyor USV with optimal mapping technology. Kongsberg Discovery’s multibeam echosounders set the standard in this regard, so we’re delighted to partner with the team on this vital project.”
Demanding depths and challenging conditions
The Surveyor’s combination of an EM304 MKII and EM2040 give it the flexibility to comb the very deepest depths (down to 11,000m) for high-resolution, clean seabed mapping – logging data so clean that virtually no post-processing is required – while also providing crystal-clear, rapid, wide-area results at shallower depths.
“We develop technology to solve challenges and deliver best-in-class results,” said Øystein Aasbø, vice president underwater mapping sales at Kongsberg Discovery. “The ability of these two unique multibeam echosounders will enable Saildrone to acquire clean, accurate, high-density data, efficiently and reliably across this huge area, at both demanding depths and in challenging conditions.
“With detailed bathymetric data and a better understanding of the islands’ incredible marine biodiversity, key stakeholders will be empowered to make more-informed, safer and economical decisions. This is crucial today and essential when looking to a more sustainable ocean future.”
Bathymetric data gathered by the Surveyor USV will be owned by the Cayman Islands government and shared with the UK Hydrographic Office for processing and updates to local nautical charts. This initiative, driven by philanthropic funding from the London & Amsterdam Trust Company Limited, highlights the scale of the project: The Cayman Islands’ EEZ spans 380 times the size of the islands, extending up to 200 nautical miles from the coast and covering an area nearly half the size of Florida.
