Commercial Hydrographic Training with USV

Swathe Services, a Hydrographic survey support company in Hayle, Cornwall UK ran what it calls the world’s first Multi-Beam Echo-Sounder training course using a remotely operated Unmanned Surface Vessel. 

Hydrographic Surveying is usually done with a manned survey vessel and takes many hours to complete. 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 Harbor 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.

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. “

“The future of conducting Hydrographic surveys is changing, and we are meeting those changes by offering training using the latest autonomous vessels and innovative MBES technology.”