Hands-On USV Training: Course Offers Field Experience in Unmanned, Remote-Control Survey

Unmanned technologies are fast emerging within the hydrographic industry. The requirement for higher cost efficiency, lower manpower and lower associated risks are becoming key factors in surveying. The future of hydrographic surveys is changing, which is creating the need for up-to-date training on the latest autonomous vessels and innovative multibeam echosounder (MBES) technology. Hydrographic surveyors, researchers and graduates came from the U.K., France, Norway and Slovenia to attend this training. The course was a combination of classroom-based and practical, hands-on training in the field. Training was initiated by creating projects within HYPACK, ensuring correct geodetic parameters, hardware settings, background imaging and line planning. The USV was mobilized with an R2Sonic 2020 multibeam echosounder to collect the bathymetric data and a Velodyne VL16 mobile laser to collect the LiDAR data above the waterline. These two systems were used in combination with an SBG Ekinox-D INS for inertial navigation. The Trimble VRS Now correction service was used via a HYPACK NTRIP connection using a 4G network, enabling real-time kinematic (RTK) corrections.