Posted on August 29, 2025
ARC Surveying and Mapping transforms complex waterways into measurable actionable insight. By pairing an integrated sensor suite with disciplined processing the firm delivers centimetre level bathymetry layered sub bottom models and real time production metrics that accelerate every phase of a dredging program. The following article reviews the technology stack the workflow and verified results that demonstrate how accurate data controls schedule cost and performance.
The Drive for Accuracy
Maritime trade depends on channels that welcome deeper drafts harbours that expand on time and disposal areas that receive the right volume of material. Each decision begins with knowing the exact shape strength and behaviour of seabed and sediment. ARC Surveying and Mapping meets this need by combining vessel based aerial and shoreside sensors into a single coordinated operation. Hydrographic and geophysical teams collect complementary datasets during the same mobilisation maintaining consistent control throughout the survey extent. The outcome is one dataset one datum and one authoritative view of underwater reality.
Seven Pillars of the Integrated Sensor Suite
Below the core tools are grouped by the insight they generate. The selection aligns with the 360 Coverage graphic and the firm’s published Technology Guide.
1. Multibeam and Dual Frequency Sonar – Certified Pay Lines in One Pass
Multibeam bathymetry scans one hundred percent of the channel floor while dual frequency single beam tracks the transition from soft sediment to firm bottom. Together they produce colour shaded surfaces that confirm dredge grade and true navigable depth securing quantity agreement from the start.
2. Side Scan and BlueView 3 D Sonar – Seafloor Imaging at Survey Speed
Side scan sonar delivers wide angle acoustic mosaics that reveal debris fields armour damage or lost rigging. BlueView 3 D sonar adds near photographic visuals in very low visibility water enabling dive planning and structure inspection while maintaining full operations.
3. Magnetometer and Sub Bottom Profiling – Seeing Into the Seabed
Marine magnetometers trace buried ferrous targets such as pipelines or anchors and sub bottom profilers penetrate sediment layers to map rock lenses voids or relic foundations. These readings keep bid contingencies realistic and enable predictable project performance.
4. Acoustic Doppler Current Profiling – Dynamic Water Column Intelligence
The ADCP records velocity and direction through the entire water column. Current vectors guide plant positioning so crews cut faster anchor safer and place material precisely in confined disposal areas.
5. UAV LiDAR and Photogrammetry – Linking Land and Water
LiDAR payloads capture upland dikes haul roads and DMCA slopes in the same control frame as the hydrographic data. High density point clouds merge seamlessly with sonar surfaces creating a continuous model from riverbed to stockpile.
6. ArcGeoTwin 3 D Modelling and CAD GIS Outputs – Immediate Stakeholder Access
All bathymetry LiDAR borings and resistivity data are hosted inside the ArcGeoTwin cloud platform. Engineers view colour coded pay maps directly in AutoCAD or GIS dashboards extract cross sections and calculate volumes the same day results arrive.
7. RTK GNSS Control and Inertial Navigation – Resilient Position Accuracy
POS MV inertial navigation keeps heave roll and pitch inside centimetre tolerance even in heavy chop while RTK tide correction ties every depth to local control. Consistent vertical references spare teams from manual tide reductions and accelerate chart delivery.
From River to Cloud – A Continuous Workflow
ARC Surveying and Mapping integrates data capture processing and delivery into a single chain of custody. Raw pings are quality checked in real time positional data are fused on board and processed surfaces stream to office servers within hours of acquisition. Once cleaned the datasets feed directly into ArcGeoTwin where dredge estimators design engineers and regulators access the same model from any browser.
- Field collection – Multibeam side scan ADCP and LiDAR crews work in parallel reducing vessel days and survey overhead.
- Automated validation – Line plans in HYPACK and HYSWEEP maximise coverage and enable repeatable progress checks.
- Cloud hosting – Secure login grants clients immediate interaction with 2 D charts and 3 D meshes creating seamless data flow.
Verified Project Outcomes
Accurate technology delivers clear advantages on active projects.
Port Canaveral Channel Deepening – Cape Canaveral Florida
High resolution multibeam surveys supported excavation of 3.2 million cubic yards to design grade at -44 ft MLLW. Overnight data delivery kept fourteen acceptance sections on schedule and maintained full contract compliance for the Canaveral Port Authority.
Jacksonville Harbor Deepening – Jacksonville Florida
A combined resistivity and multibeam campaign generated an ArcGeoTwin model that guided a forty seven foot deepening and protected an estimated 138 000 Florida jobs tied to port trade.
Illinois Rock Pinnacle Removal – Mississippi River Thebes Illinois
Real time sonar and bucket positioning accelerated drilling cycles and cleared navigation hazards during historically low water stages sustaining throughput on a key inland waterway.
Confidence Through Data Accuracy
Reliable data enables faster dredge production tighter environmental windows and transparent pay quantities. By delivering centimetre accurate depth and material type information ARC Surveying and Mapping helps contractors lock in equipment spreads that match subsurface reality. Owners gain proof ready records for compliance while engineers base designs on measured fully verified conditions.
Sustainability and Environmental Stewardship
Precision sensors support environmental responsibility. Dual frequency sonar and Rheocable techniques delineate fluid mud layers ensuring only consolidated sediment is removed while resistivity mapping isolates specific deposits for surgical excavation. Each cubic yard left in place preserves habitat and reduces disposal costs.
Future Ready Innovations
The technology roadmap continues to advance. Machine learning enhanced backscatter autonomous surface vessels and fibre optic gyro navigation are under evaluation within ARC Surveying and Mapping’s research program. The firm’s commitment to continuous improvement means future dredging campaigns will benefit from even higher fidelity data streams.
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