Series of High-res Surveys to Track Changes in Thames River
Anchor and lumber on the bottom of Thames River near New London ferry docks (Image: ThayerMahan)
A two-year project aims to locate and monitor the shifting boundaries of key biological habitats and short-term, small-scale changes in bathymetry important to the health of Connecticut’s Thames River and Long Island Sound ecosystems.
Marine technology company ThayerMahan, which recently completed an underwater survey using its SeaScout system to capture high-quality hydrographic imagery of the river, said the survey is being conducted under a National Institute for Undersea Vehicle Technology (NIUVT) project in conjunction with the University of Connecticut (UConn)’s Department of Marine Sciences.
NIUVT, ThayerMahan, and UConn logos
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SeaScout system is an actively stabilized towed vehicle with synthetic aperture sonar and multibeam echosounder payloads. The system generates ultra-fine resolution (3cm x 3cm) beamformed imagery and interferometric bathymetry of undersea cables, boulders, rocks, and seafloor characteristics in real-time. For example, individual anchor chain links are visible and discernable in the image shown below:
The two-year project will locate and monitor the shifting boundaries of key biological habitats and short-term, small-scale changes in bathymetry important to the health of the Thames River and Long Island Sound ecosystems. Baseline data will be re-evaluated to identify changes in the region and enhance security within the New London port area.
Editorâs note: Sailors of SUBASE is an ongoing series in The Dolphin, featuring Sailors from all over Naval Submarine Base New London (SUBASE).
GROTON, Conn. â Boatswainâs Mate 1st Class David Guerra has worked many a fast-paced and dangerous job during his eight years in the Navy, but now as he finds himself in the slower-paced environment of shore duty he reflects on the importance of when to go fast and when to slow down.
Born in the little town of Mission, Texas, but raised in San Antonio, Guerra joined the Navy to pay for college and carry on a family tradition. What started as a short-term plan for Guerra ultimately proved to be a long-term commitment.