USV surveys monitor port changes

Hayle Harbour Authority has partnered with Unmanned Survey Solutions (USS) to enable the use of USVs during hydrographic surveys at Hayle Harbour to monitor the effects of dredging, sluicing and periodic natural changes to the depths of the harbour in fulfilment of its conservancy requirements, and ensure safe operation to harbour users.

USS are based on North Quay, Hayle. They design, build and operate USV and often test new systems in local waters with permission from the Harbour Authority. During these trials, hydrographic data is collected, which provides the Authority with updated charts.

Hayle Harbour Master, Peter Haddock, explained: “Regular surveying of the harbour helps us to fulfil our conservancy duties, but also to closely monitor our dredge operations. By using the data gathered by USS, we can direct that operation and reduce any risk to harbour users.’’

James Williams, director of USS, said the company times its testing activities to coincide with pre and post dredging operations, “so that we can effectively inform the Authority on the effects these dredging activities are having on the environment”.

Hayle Harbour Authority and USS intend to map the harbour every three months throughout 2020 to gain detailed insights into how the harbour changes throughout the seasons.

USS are developing larger USVs, and they plan to monitor dynamic changes to the entrance channel and the shallow outer sand bar over the next 12 months.

By Rebecca Jeffrey