Autonomous Unmanned Surface Vessels for Hydrographic Measurement and Environmental Monitoring

Logistic constraints and difficulties, as well as risks and economical impact of the bathymetric measurement activity, especially in shallow water, are known matters. This activity, in fact, normally implies the presence of human conductors and operators aboard motorized craft that often have to be transported in difficult to reach places or, even worse, have to operate in sites which are dangerous or hazardous for humans such as quarry lakes, landslides, risky or contaminated areas. In certain cases environmental constraints or water depth rule out craft powered by outboard engines. aerRobotix have developed a different approach based on the use of small “unmanned” craft capable of carrying out bathymetric measurements in partial or even total autonomy. Such an innovative solution avoids risks to humans, causes no environmental pollution, reduces the number of operators involved and makes the activity much more flexible. Efficient mission management, small size, handling ease and low power consumption yield low operational costs. A profitable collaboration with Geo Survey has given the opportunity to test on field such advantages in the bathymetry operations and to integrate state-of-the-art professional instrumentation. This paper describes this new approach and the relevant lesson learned. Based on examples related to successful applications of the unmanned twin-hulled “CatOne” vessel it provides details about the characteristics and advantages that unmanned surface vehicles offer for bathymetric measurement and also for other possible applications in the environmental field.