Ocean Mapping

High-resolution mapping data to 11,000 m depth for navigation and charting, telecommunications, offshore energy, exploration, characterization, and physical oceanography—at a fraction of the cost of traditional survey methods.

Capabilities

Reconnaissance Single-beam
Saildrone USV equipped with an Airmar DT800 echo sounder for single-beam reconnaissance missions (e.g. contour line mapping) meeting IHO Order 2 survey requirements in areas up to100 m deep. Especially useful in remote areas with sparse bathymetric information such as the Arctic
Shallow Multibeam
Saildrone USV equipped with a Norbit iWBMS high-resolution multibeam echo sounder and sound velocity profiler (SVP) for shallow water multibeam surveys that meet IHO standards up to 400 m deep
Deep Single-beam
Saildrone USV equipped with a Teledyne Echo trac E20 for deepwater single-beam surveys that meet IHO survey standards in areas up to 900 m deep
Full Ocean Multibeam
Saildrone USV equipped with Kongsberg EM 2040 and EM 304 MkII for large-scale bathymetric surveys in the ocean up to 11,000 m deep

Saildrone Surveyor Demonstrates Exceptional Mapping Capabilities During First Trans-Pacific Crossing

Saildrone’s flagship autonomous, uncrewed surface vehicle (USV) arrived in Hawaii on June 8, 2021, after a groundbreaking 2,100-nautical mile maiden voyage from San Francisco to Honolulu. Watch the video to learn more about the Surveyor's exceptional ocean mapping capabilities.

Saildrone’s fleet of small and medium uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs) provide near-shore and open-ocean bathymetry solutions that meet or exceed International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) standards.

Additional Capabilities Include:

  • Near-real-time acquisition monitoring
  • Motorized for maneuverability
  • On-board data processing
  • Seafloor classification
  • High-resolution feature mapping
  • Nautical chart validation
  • Comprehensive metocean sensor suite
  • Arctic and remote area exploration

Why Saildrone?

Most cost-effective ocean mapping solution available
Single-beam and multibeam bathymetric data that meets IHO standards
24/7 autonomous operations monitoring with real-time data transmission via satellite communications
Long-distance/long-term mission durations up to 365 days without returning to port for maintenance or refueling
Reduced fuel consumption and carbon footprint
Secure, encrypted data, vehicle to cloud

Saildrone Bathymetry Platforms

USV's capable of global reach

Near-shore and open-ocean bathymetry solutions that meet or exceed International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) standards.

Saildrone Explorer

Deep single-beam bathymetric data collected by the Explorer.

Specifications

  • 23 feet (7 m) long
  • Solar & wind powered
  • Wind propulsion 3 knots avg.
  • >365 days endurance
  • Cameras, ML
  • Atmospheric and oceanographic array
  • white
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Saildrone Voyager

High-resolution bathymetric data from the Norbit multibeam echo sounder.

Specifications

  • 33 feet (10 m) long
  • Solar & diesel/electric
  • Wind propulsion 4 knots avg.
  • 5 knots cruise speed
  • 8 knots sprint speed
  • >180 days endurance
  • Radar, cameras, ML
  • 200 m profiling winch
Download Spec Sheet

Saildrone Surveyor

High-resolution bathymetric data from the EM 304 multibeam sonar.

Specifications

  • 65 feet (20 m) long
  • Solar & diesel/electric
  • Wind propulsion 5 knots avg.
  • 6 knots cruise speed
  • 10 knots sprint speed
  • >180 days endurance
  • Radar, cameras, ML
  • 450 m profiling winch
Download Spec Sheet

Saildrone Surveyor Discovers New Sea "Hill" Off the Coast of San Francisco

The Saildrone Surveyor successfully mapped an uncharted area of the ocean 140 nautical miles off the coast of San Francisco discovering a completely unknown 2,600-foot (800 meter) sea “hill”.

Saildrone Surveyor Launch - January 2021

The first in the Surveyor class of USVs, the Saildrone Surveyor carries sonar equipment capable of seafloor mapping down to 7,000 m.

Some Recent Missions

SF – Hawaii Multibeam Bathymetry
The Saildrone Surveyor completed a groundbreaking 2,250-nautical mile multibeam mapping mission from San Francisco to Honolulu.
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Arctic Single-Beam Mapping
An 8,000 nautical mile mission from San Francisco to the Canadian border to provide modern, accurate mapping data of Alaska’s North Slope and the Bering Sea.
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GOM Multibeam Bathymetry
Saildrone's first shallow-water multibeam bathymetry mission in the Gulf of Mexico.
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