Hydrographic Surveying Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Hydrographic Surveying - Essay ExampleSince then the science has evolved from a crude form of conjecture to a fairly accurate prophetical atomic number 53.This paper prepargons a report form of investigation in which the implications of converting hydrographical surveying based on single-beam echo sounders to multiple-beam ones shall be studied and considered in point to assess feasibility and functional efficacy with particular reference to Medway Ports, UK. To initiate this noble venture it is first necessary to study a little of Medway Port, Kent, UK, particularly in detail to its known navigation features.The Medway Ports authorities define the Medway River as one of the principal trade arteries of the United Kingdom with particular utility to the southeasterly East of England through which this river flows before ending into the sea strategically near to the English Channel and the North Sea (Overview, Medway Ports, 2007). This proximal position to two master(prenominal) European trade routes, the ports efficient functionality and its easy accessibility to its hinterland by road, rail and water has eventually evolved it into a port of choice for many trade and import operators. Cargoes such a fresh produce, forest products, new vehicles and steel and containers pass through it to and fro British soil (Overview, Medway Ports, 2007).Actually, the... Actually, the Medway Ports authority is a statutory one and is responsible for a 27 mile stretch of water that is a combination of the Medway and Swale rivers. The authority is responsible for maintaining the rivers and for providing and coordinating pilotage and vessel traffic service to ensure safety of all river users including pleasure boat ones (Overview, Medway Ports, 2007). The Ports are mainly a combination of the Sheerness and Chatham docks (Peel Ports Group, Medway Ports, 2007). Britains first LNG handling terminal was constructed at the Isle of granulate within the Ports complex (Peel Ports Gr oup, Medway Ports, 2007). Pilotage services provided by the Ports authorities are compulsory for vessels of 50 pulsations and above in length.The Medway Conservancy Board has taken over hydrographic surveying of the Medway Ports system from the Royal Navy Hydrographic Inshore Squadron since the 1960s. Presently, it has tow crafts at its service - the 18.9 metre Medway Surveyor that surveys the main reaches of the Medway and the deeper offshore waters and the 6 metre Medway Recorder which surveys the berths and shallower waters. Both vessels have permanently installed echo sounders that can also work as side scan sonar recorders (Hydrographic Service, Medway Navigation Service, 2007). It is assumed that the echo-sounders are all single beam ones.Hydrographic SurveyingHydrographic surveying is undertaken in two types of operational locations - oceanic or comparatively deeper offshore waters and relatively shallower inshore waters. As has already been evidenced with Medway Ports, the former locations are usually surveyed by larger survey ships like the Medway Surveyor and the latter locations by smaller