Autonomous kayak platform and bathymetric performance surveying nearshore storm response
Date
2017
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Publisher
University of Delaware
Abstract
Autonomous platforms are at the forefront of science, particularly the marine sciences. Researchers deploy autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and autonomous surface vehicles (ASVs) to answer many research questions in areas or conditions not conducive to manned systems, particularly in bathymetric and habitat mapping. How- ever, these systems are usually expensive and highly technical. This project explores the possibility of using-off-the-shelf, recreational grade autopilots and parts to build a low-budget ASV, then evaluates the capabilities of such a vehicle. ☐ A Delaware SeaGrant project, Coastal Imagery for Resiliency (CI4R), proposed the use of an ASV as a nearshore bathymetric survey tool, particularly in response to storm events. An autonomous kayak comprised of off-the-shelf materials, a hobby grade autopilot, and a consumer grade fish finder was evaluated for bathymetric survey performance. A kayak hull creates a stable platform but when powered by a trolling motor, proved to be limited in the conditions that it can operate in. The resolution of the consumer grade combination side-scan, echo sounder fish finder was found to be coarse. This platform deployed in a storm response capacity, surveying pre- and post-storm surveys for two nor’easter storm events on Broadkill Beach, Delaware. De- spite the coarse resolution, the autonomous kayak resolved changes in the nearshore bathymetry of Broadkill Beach caused by storm events and proved to be an effective research platform.
Description
Keywords
Applied sciences, Health and environmental sciences, Earth sciences, Autonomous surface vehicle, Bathymetry, Low-cost, Nearshore