Achieving High-Quality Asset Inspection Data: Perth Harbour

Posted 7 May 2021

The Challenge:

Achieving high-quality asset inspection data of ports and harbours is often hindered by the nature of these sites. Ports and harbours are often high multipath environments, with large structures in the vicinity of the survey area also potentially leading to GNSS masking and dropouts. 

Perth Harbour Demonstrator Project

SEP Hydrographic performed a high-resolution asset inspection survey of Perth Harbour using the survey vessel Pulsar. The vessel was equipped with a suite of high-specification survey equipment, which included:

  • Applanix POS MV Oceanmaster with RTK Corrections
  • Norbit WBMS 700kHz MBES
  • 3D Scanning Sonar
  • Carlson Merlin Laser Scanner

During the survey, GNSS dropouts / INS drift was experienced on several survey lines.

During the survey, GNSS dropouts / INS drift was experienced on several survey lines. This can be seen in the data aside, showing the raw (blue) and SBET’d (Green) versions of the same Blueview scan, with the raw scan exhibiting significant INS drift.

The solution:

SEP Hydrographic routinely uses post-processed navigation solutions for these types of survey, and using SBET (Smartbase & Singlebase) invariably resolves these errors.

Our confidence in this methodology is often validated when vessel mounted LiDAR is complemented with Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS). The TLS data is surveyed using Total Stations, increasing the positional accuracy compared to the marine dataset. Where the same objects or structures have been captured by both the marine and terrestrial dataset, post-processed dynamically acquired data has always matched the TLS data. 

Learn more

Are you interested in learning more about our asset inspection services? Get in touch at info@sephydrographic.com.

Related Pages: Pulsar Static Acquisition Asset Inspection Surveys Geophysical Survey Services