Challenge Themes

There are many challenges to the surveyor when collecting bathymetry. The Challenge here can be:

• The use of cloud-based processing work-flows
  
• The fastest time taken from “ping to chart”
  
• Data accuracy
  
• The ability to find all significant hydrographic targets in a Challenge area
  
• Simple processing workflows – for use by students etc. with minimal training
  

Backscatter

Backscatter is an important product that can be used for seabed classification and habitat mapping. The Challenges here can be:

• To deliver a compensated backscatter product
  
• The use of multiple frequencies for compensated backscatter
  
• To deliver a seabed classification product
  
• Combining data from multiple surveys with different operating systems
  

Autonomous surveying 

Autonomous surveying is a fast-developing technology and promises to be a real force-multiplier. The Challenge here is to survey one of the Challenge areas with Autonomous vessels.

Water column

Water column data is useful to both the hydrographer and the scientist. The Challenges here can be:

• The use of automatic techniques to identify and classify water column targets
  
• The use of multiple frequency sounders 
  
• Linking water column features to sub-bottom sources
  

Alternative technology 

In this theme, the Challenge is for the use of non-traditional methods for survey data acquisition within one of the Challenge areas. Examples of non-traditional survey methods include:

• Lidar 
  
• Subsea Photogrammetry
  
• Satellite-derived bathymetry
  
• Crawlers
  
• Droneso Sub-bottom profilers
  
• Joining land to water