Map where others can't go

By combining traditional lead-lining survey techniques with modern drone technology we can effectively map hard to reach areas of water that have traditionally been missed in hydrographic surveys.

Near shore, hydrographic surveys often have a “dead patch” where the water is often too rough, shallow, or rocky to access by land or boast . For many costal engineers this area is crucial for understanding wave formation.

Aerial bathymetric LiDAR scanners are used used from either drones or light aircraft but come with limitations, needing clear and calm waters to achieve accurate and reliable data.

Over the last 6 years, we’ve developed and refined a method that works in challenging conditions and dangerous to access areas. Our drone based technique, based on traditional lead-lining, lowers a weight at predetermined positions, recording the position and level of the weights when it touches the seabed. Whether it’s a series of transects or grids, we can provide cross-sections and digital surface models of the sea floor, river, or lakebed.

We survey where Sonar and Bathy LiDAR can't reach. Dangerous intertidal zones and areas of poor water clarity can be surveyed and measured to depths of 20m and up to 1.5km offshore.

This technique allows us to fill in the missing, and often critical, parts of the picture in any water clarity.

This basic but effective system was developed during our work on the NCTIR project to rebuild road and rail infrastructure following the 2016 Kaikoura earthquake. We’ve constantly refined and improved our technique and are the only company in New Zealand providing data of this type. We’ve since worked with many costal engineers around the country providing them the necessary data for projects such as wave modelling, seawall design, coastal erosion mitigation and pipe outfall designs.

Our ability to provide a single dataset combining both land and hydrographic surveys gives Engineers and Designers the full picture. Photogrammetric surveys are carried out while on site, providing high-resolution geo-referenced images and 3d models of the beach and land. With our customised processing the required information is delivered within a couple of days, ensuring our clients have up to date information at their fingertips.

This technique provides a safe and cost-effective way to survey any body of water and the surrounding land. Being a fully land-based survey technique, it keeps mobilisation costs to a minimum while ensuring the safety of our survey team, especially in hard-to-reach and dangerous areas of water. Survey transects can be extended up to 2km offshore and to depths of 30m eliminating the need to mobilise a separate boat based hydrographic survey.

We’re not limited to coastal areas. Our survey methods can be used in any body of water, producing a cross-section of the surface levels of the land under the water right up to the shoreline. The accuracy of the flight path allows a very specific area to be surveyed eliminating the need to survey large areas of water unnecessarily.

• Accurate seabed mapping of the near shore “dead area” where breaking waves prevent boat or land-based surveying.
• Provides a safe and cost-effective survey of hard-to-reach areas of water.
• Delivers accurate data in any water clarity and most water conditions.
• Offers a rapid turnaround of data.
• Keeps mobilisations costs low for hydrographic surveying.

• Coastal engineers undertaking seabed mapping and wave modelling as part of a sea wall design.
• Engineers designing underwater pipe out falls.
• Councils requiring seabed mapping near road and utility infrastructure.
  
• Environmental scientists investigating the impact of sea changes and coastal erosion on the coastal environment.
• Settlement pond monitoring.

Eliot Sinclair's hydrographic UAV surveying isn't just about mapping water – it's about mapping our future, one measurement at a time.

See more. See it all. Get in touch to see how we can help you to see beneath.