Autonomous Unmanned Surface Vessels for Hydrographic Measurement and Environmental Monitoring

Logistic constraints and difficulties, as well as risks and economical impact of the bathymetric measurement activity, especially in sha llow water, are known matters. This activity, in fact, normally implies the presence of human conductors and operators aboard motorized craft that often have to be transported i n ifficult to reach places or, even worse, have to operate in sites which are dangerous or haz ardous for humans such as quarry lakes, landslides, risky or contaminated areas. In certain c ses environmental constraints or water depth rule out craft powered by outboard engines. a rRobotix have developed a different approach based on the use of small “unmanned” craft apable of carrying out bathymetric measurements in partial or even total autonomy. Suc h an innovative solution avoids risks to humans, causes no environmental pollution, reduces th number of operators involved and makes the activity much more flexible. Efficient mi ssion management, small size, handling ease and low power consumption yield low operationa l costs. A profitable collaboration with Geo Survey has given the opportunity to test on fie ld such advantages in the bathymetry operations and to integrate state-of-the-art profe ssional instrumentation. This paper describes this new approach and the relevant lesson learned. Based on examples related to successful applications of the unmanned twin-hulled “CatOne” v ssel it provides details about the characteristics and advantages that unmanned surfac e vehicles offer for bathymetric measurement and also for other possible application s in the environmental field.