Capabilities
TerraSond’s highly skilled and trained professionals have the ability to plan for and execute hydrographic, geophysical and land surveys that range from the very simple to the very complex. Data is collected and measurements are taken from both onshore and offshore and in waters ranging from shallow coastal to deep ocean. Using industry standard state-of-the-art equipment, TerraSond collects, processes, and stores a vast amount of oceanographic and hydrographic data.
Cable/Pipeline Support Surveys
Cable/Pipeline As-Built Surveys
Combining both installation information as well as survey information collected following installation we can provide documentation and drawings of the final true (as opposed to designed) location of both power and communications cables and pipelines of all sorts.
The data collected can be both on shore, collected w…
Cable/Pipeline Staking
Construction staking for cable and pipeline installation can be crucial for ensuring that the cable or pipeline is in it's easement and avoids other utilities.
It is best done in close coordination with the installation company and we have successfully coordinated projects that required staking onshore and positioni…
Condition Surveys
Subsea cable and pipeline are critical commercial assets and require routine inspection for fatigue, bending and external damage, scour and sediment migration. Suspended cables and pipelines in high current areas can be prone to early fatigue from "strumming".
TerraSond uses multibeam and side scan sonar systems fo…
Desktop Studies (DTS)
Desktop route assessment studies are necessary when choosing the safest and most efficient route for a cable or pipeline project.
Our knowledge and experience performing hydrographic surveying and mapping for marine cable and pipeline projects give us an advantage when performing these route assessment studies. We …
Landing Site Surveys
These surveys are conducted at proposed landing sites to provide detailed information of a specific area prior to engineering or construction of a cable or pipeline. These surveys provide information to the engineer regarding any existing structures, utilities, topography and property lines in the area.
Marine Route Surveys
Marine Route Surveys are necessary for choosing the safest and most efficient route for a cable or pipeline project. In addition to conducting these hydrographic surveys, TerraSond works closely with the engineer and investigates all available sources of information along the marine route. Investigations include navi…
Offshore Positioning
Our hydrographers provide offshore positioning for support of construction, science and resource exploration.
We can provide precision positioning of both surface and subsurface objects. We have the systems and experience to position multiple objects and support oil rig moves, pipeline, outfall or cable installatio…
Route Surveys
Identifying a safe route for a new cable or pipeline and avoiding damage to existing cables requires reliable acoustic multi-tool instrumentation. TerraSond collects detailed bathymetry and seafloor geomorphology along proposed cable routes to verify and refine cable engineering and route selection.
High resolution…
Side Scan Sonar Surveys
Sidescan is useful for mapping, search activities, engineering corridors and also for habitat mapping. It can provide wider coverage in each pass than multibeam sonar and can often discern smaller objects.
TerraSond has used sidescan for numerous projects and owns a large number of highly accurate and efficient sys…
Geophysical Surveys
Current Analysis
The ocean is constantly moving and how the water moves can influence climate and living conditions for plants and animals. The movement of the ocean also has an effect on the stability and longevity of man made items and understanding these currents can lead to better engineering solutions. Increasingly TerraSond is …
Engineering Design Surveys
Solid information is the foundation of good engineering design. We can provide support that incorporates land, hydrographic and geophysical surveys. Our surveyors can work closely with your engineers and planners to design a data collection program that will get the information required and produce the GIS and CAD wor…
Hazard Site Assessment
TerraSond has performed numerous hazard site surveys and associated drawings and reports in both Alaska and the Gulf of Mexico for oil platforms and drillships. The survey requirements vary depending on the region and intent but can include single and multibeam sonar, sidescan sonar, sub bottom profiling and magnetome…
Magnetometer Surveys
Magnetometers are used in geophysical surveys to detect archaeological sites, shipwrecks, pipelines, cables and other buried or submerged objects. Gradiometers are a related type of instrumentation and can be used in the same fashion.
We own magnetometers and have provided this service in conjunction with cable and…
Seawater Characteristics
Data is collected to analyze seawater characteristics. Those characteristics can include temperature, salinity, dissolved solids, dissolved oxygen, etc. We have collected these parameters in support of Environmental Impact Statements as well as basic science.
Sediment Sampling
Sediment sampling can be used to support engineering design, habitat mapping, EIS studies, sediment transport studies and nautical charting.
We have used a variety of samplers depending on the bottom characteristics and program goals. Samplers include the Van Veen shown, larger box samplers, gravity cores and pipe …
Sediment Transport Studies
Sediment transport is the movement of solid particles due to the movement of the fluid in which they are immersed. This is typically studied in natural systems, where the particles are rocks (sand, gravel, boulders, etc.) or clay, and the fluid is air, water, or ice.
Sediment transport studies are most often used to…
Side Scan Sonar Surveys
Sidescan is useful for mapping, search activities, engineering corridors and also for habitat mapping. It can provide wider coverage in each pass than multibeam sonar and can often discern smaller objects.
TerraSond has used sidescan for numerous projects and owns a large number of highly accurate and efficient sys…
Site Design Support
Careful planning is crucial to site selection and design. We have experienced staff and equipment that can support site design by providing accurate information on geological characteristics, marine habitats, shipping lanes and navigational areas, hazards, currents, and depth.
Sub-bottom Profiling
Our geophysicists can provide information about sub-surface sediment structure using sub-bottom profilers. Sub-bottom profilers can be used to detect and measure the thickness of dredged material deposits, identify buried objects, detect hard substrate, and define the basement or bedrock layer.
Wave Analysis
We use acoustic wave and current profilers to measure current and wave direction spectrums. This work helps in the engineering design of docks and other structures by providing information on the highest expected seas and what type of structure is needed.
Hydrographic Surveys
Beach Erosion Surveys
Beach erosion surveys often require profiling both above and below the water.
They are repeated at varying intervals to determine the erosion level and determine where the sand is transported both due to typical ocean processes and also due to storm activity.
The uplands or above water portion can determine if …
Breakwater Surveys
Offshore breakwaters are designed to absorb the energy of waves and reduce the intensity of wave action in inshore waters. However, large storms can cause waves to overtop the breakwater and cause sediment transport and erosion. TerraSond is often called upon to conduct topographic and bathymetric surveys of breakwat…
Current Analysis
The ocean is constantly moving and how the water moves can influence climate and living conditions for plants and animals. The movement of the ocean also has an effect on the stability and longevity of man made items and understanding these currents can lead to better engineering solutions. Increasingly TerraSond is …
Dredging Pay Quantity Surveys
We have significant experience monitoring dredging operations in river and harbor navigation projects. Our skilled hydrographers routinely perform project condition, pre dredge surveys, interim dredge surveys and final clearance and acceptance surveys as well as provide volume computations and final as-built survey dr…
Emergency Call-out Surveys
Our surveyors conduct emergency Call-out surveys after hurricanes, storms, and incidents including collissions and lost cargo. These surveys are accomplished with side scan and single beam sonar systems to identify and report locations of objects and debris in channels and coastal waters.
Recently our staff worked…
Engineering Design Surveys
Solid information is the foundation of good engineering design. We can provide support that incorporates land, hydrographic and geophysical surveys. Our surveyors can work closely with your engineers and planners to design a data collection program that will get the information required and produce the GIS and CAD wor…
Floodplain Mapping
We have provided the land, hydrographic and LiDAR surveys for updating flood plain maps. We were responsible for meeting FEMA and USACE specifications on the survey and managing the control survey, LiDAR mapping, river cross sections, Quality Assurance Data, Hydrographic Data and the processing and map creation. Data…
Harbor and Channel Condition Surveys
Since 1994, TerraSond has consistently met the needs of government, public and private sectors by providing numerous surveys of critical channel navigation points, and surveys in support of engineering and construction projects for ports and harbors.
Project condition surveys for harbors and channels are conducted t…
Levee Surveys
Levees are subject to and can be compromised by fluctuating water levels, invasive vegetation, and burrowing animals. We have surveyed levees with both multibeam and sidescan sonar. Since our last levee surveys we have acquired a scanning laser for providing a complete view of the water side of the levee.
Marine Habitat Mapping
Using sonar to quantitatively characterize the seafloor is a relatively new use of multibeam and sidescan technology. It involves the careful collection of imagery from the systems and processing with systems that will accoustically characterize the return signal.
We have collected multibeam and sidescan in support…
Marine Route Surveys
Marine Route Surveys are necessary for choosing the safest and most efficient route for a cable or pipeline project. In addition to conducting these hydrographic surveys, TerraSond works closely with the engineer and investigates all available sources of information along the marine route. Investigations include navi…
Multibeam Sonar Surveys
Multibeam systems can provide complete coverage of the seafloor.
Single beam sonar systems only return a sounding directly under the survey vessel resulting in a lack of coverage between survey lines. Multibeam systems can bridge these gaps by using a system that collects a swath of data that reaches both port an…
Nautical Charting
TerraSond collects hydrographic survey data to produce official nautical charts. These charts, depending on their scale show seabed features, navigational hazards, harbors and bridges, tides and currents, coastline, and navigational hazards.
We have the tools to plan, collect, process and then format either in hard …
Port and Harbor Surveys
TerraSond has provided hydrographic and topographic surveying and mapping services for port and harbor projects since 1994. We can provide surveys to support engineering design, assess the condition, or support dredging and construction.
We can and have responded quickly in case of emergencies and are adept at mobi…
River Discharge Measurements
We have provided clients with river discharge measurements to determine navigability of a river, to study flood conditions, and to support harvesting renewable energy.
This data is usually collected with Acoustic Dopper Current Profilers (ADCP) which measure the speed and direction of the flows within the river. Th…
ROV Surveys
Our highly skilled technicians mount multibeam sonar systems on Remotely Operated Vechicles (ROVs) for offshore oil and gas operations, science studies, and mining operations. These systems allow precision ocean mapping for depths in excess of 6,000 feet.
Using a mounted multibeam sonar system allows the ROV to nav…
Search, Recovery and Salvage Support
Search and Recovery operations are often a joint effort involving multiple entities working together to achieve a safe and successful outcome. TerraSond's goal is to assist the search and recovery effort by mapping the seafloor.
We have provided support for salvage of grounded and sunken vessels as well as lost fix…
Seismic Exploration Support
We have provided both positioning and charting for seismic activities. Positioning vessels towing cables or the gun boats and also surveying critically shallow areas to allow for safe planning and navigation into them.
Side Scan Sonar Surveys
Sidescan is useful for mapping, search activities, engineering corridors and also for habitat mapping. It can provide wider coverage in each pass than multibeam sonar and can often discern smaller objects.
TerraSond has used sidescan for numerous projects and owns a large number of highly accurate and efficient sys…
Single Beam Sonar Surveys
Single beam sonar is the simplest of depth measurement systems we use. It is also the most portable, least expensive and often the best choice for surveys.
We maintain a huge inventory of depth sounders and transducers. Many of the transducers are built into the hulls of our vessels or kept for spares and vessels…
Tidal Studies
One of the most important correctors for hydrographic data is tide and water levels. TerraSond installs and operates tide stations during remote survey operations to measure tide and water level. Data from the stations can be recorded locally or transmitted over telemetry or a NOAA GOES (Geostationary Operational Envi…
Underwater Search
We are able to efficiently locate and pinpoint objects on the sea floor with multibeam, sidescan and magnetometers and can quickly mobilize to any location to search for lost equipment, missing aircraft, and sunken vessels.
Volume Computations
Our surveyors are experienced at estimating excavation pit volumes and dredge volumes using both linear and nonlinear survey methods. Data can be obtained through land or hydrographic surveying and is often a combination of the two. Calculating these volumes are important for many engineering and construction project…
Land Surveys (Conventional and GPS)
As-Built Surveys (Non-Residential)
As-Built Surveys are designed to locate new or existing man made items. They can be used to aid in design, construction and demolition and can be part of larger multi-faceted projects.
Beach Erosion Surveys
Beach erosion surveys often require profiling both above and below the water.
They are repeated at varying intervals to determine the erosion level and determine where the sand is transported both due to typical ocean processes and also due to storm activity.
The uplands or above water portion can determine if …
Boundary Surveys
Boundary surveys are performed to determine lines of ownership. They require recovering and retracing historic boundary information and sometimes also require the determination of new property lines and setting new monumentation.
We often perform these surveys in conjunction with construction, mining or oil proje…
Cadastral Surveys
Cadastral surveys are performed to document land ownership. They require field survey and either recovery of historic boundary information or often in Alaska we are called upon to perform original surveys.
We have many experienced land surveyors and are licensed in Alaska, Texas and Washington to perform these surv…
Construction Staking
Surveying plays an important role in any construction project. Our surveyors can provide staking for various construction projects including bridges, highways, pipelines, cables, docks and buildings.
We especially like projects that call on both our land and marine surveying skills.
Control Surveys
Control Surveys can be required for a number of projects including hydrographic surveys, construction projects, design surveys and any project that has a requirement for repeatable and usable coordinates or locations.
We have performed control surveys both as part of larger projects and as stand alone activities and…
Engineering Design Surveys
Solid information is the foundation of good engineering design. We can provide support that incorporates land, hydrographic and geophysical surveys. Our surveyors can work closely with your engineers and planners to design a data collection program that will get the information required and produce the GIS and CAD wor…
Floodplain Mapping
We have provided the land, hydrographic and LiDAR surveys for updating flood plain maps. We were responsible for meeting FEMA and USACE specifications on the survey and managing the control survey, LiDAR mapping, river cross sections, Quality Assurance Data, Hydrographic Data and the processing and map creation. Data…
Locative Surveys
Locative surveys are often involved in either a forensic investigation or in environmental cleanup. In either case the goal is to locate items of interest and produce a map.
Pre/Post Excavation Surveys
We can provide land survey of excavation sites to determine the amount of material removed and the adherence to design elevations and slopes. This is often done to monitor a quarry where rock is being removed to support breakwaters or rip rap.
Tideland Surveys
Tidelands are lands between the mean high and the mean low tide lines. In the majority of tideland surveys, at least a portion of the survey involves surveying the boundary between the tidelands and the uplands. This involves determining the location of the Mean High Water line.
These surveys are often done to desc…
Topographic Surveying and Mapping
Topographic surveys gather data about natural and man-made features of the land, as well as its elevations. For these surveys our staff will establish horizontal and vertical control that will serve as the framework of the survey; determine horizontal location and elevation (side shots) of ground points to provide enou…
Utility Routes, Easements and Rights-of-Way
We conduct utility, right-of-way, and route surveys to provide preliminary and final locations for linear features, such as roadways, pipelines and utilities. These surveys can be accomplished with a variety of land survey tools.
Volume Computations
Our surveyors are experienced at estimating excavation pit volumes and dredge volumes using both linear and nonlinear survey methods. Data can be obtained through land or hydrographic surveying and is often a combination of the two. Calculating these volumes are important for many engineering and construction project…
Mapping & Charting
Aerial Mapping
We use aerial photography on projects for clients requiring the mapping of large areas for change detection or planning. For these projects we manage the planning, horizontal and vertical control, subcontracted photography and analysis and final map generation.
We contract the photography and digital compilation fr…
Electronic Navigational Charts
Electronic Navigational Charts are commonly used in navigational systems and ECDIS displays on vessels. They must conform to the IHO S57 standards to work properly.
We have both the experience and tools for creating, editing and managing electronic navigational charts (ENCs).
We regularly create them as deliver…
Floodplain Mapping
We have provided the land, hydrographic and LiDAR surveys for updating flood plain maps. We were responsible for meeting FEMA and USACE specifications on the survey and managing the control survey, LiDAR mapping, river cross sections, Quality Assurance Data, Hydrographic Data and the processing and map creation. Data…
GIS Mapping
Our experienced mapping technicians create complete GIS datasets from scratch, verify the accuracy and completeness of an existing GIS dataset, and establish ground control to rectify aerial and satellite imagery.
To support GIS analysis and mapping we use ArcView, CARIS, MapINFO, and AutoCAD MAP as well as other to…
LiDAR Mapping
Light detection and ranging (LiDAR) has become widely accepted as a tool for generating highly accurate terrain models that are used in a variety of GIS applications. LiDAR collection systems use a combination of aircraft-mounted laser sensors along with a global positioning system (GPS) receiver to record elevations o…
Map and Plat Production
Often the main product of our work is a map, plat or chart. These products are used to provide information in support of whatever the client intends to accomplish.
We can generate the products in CAD systems such as AutoCAD or Microstation or in GIS applications such as CARIS or ArcView.
Nautical Charting
TerraSond collects hydrographic survey data to produce official nautical charts. These charts, depending on their scale show seabed features, navigational hazards, harbors and bridges, tides and currents, coastline, and navigational hazards.
We have the tools to plan, collect, process and then format either in hard …
Side Scan Sonar Surveys
Sidescan is useful for mapping, search activities, engineering corridors and also for habitat mapping. It can provide wider coverage in each pass than multibeam sonar and can often discern smaller objects.
TerraSond has used sidescan for numerous projects and owns a large number of highly accurate and efficient sys…
Topographic Surveying and Mapping
Topographic surveys gather data about natural and man-made features of the land, as well as its elevations. For these surveys our staff will establish horizontal and vertical control that will serve as the framework of the survey; determine horizontal location and elevation (side shots) of ground points to provide enou…
Marine Positioning
Dredge Positioning Support
We have experience with positioning barges used for various projects. We can provide instrumentation for the barge, support vessels and also working equipment onboard the barge including cranes, backhoes or drag arms.
Offshore Positioning
Our hydrographers provide offshore positioning for support of construction, science and resource exploration.
We can provide precision positioning of both surface and subsurface objects. We have the systems and experience to position multiple objects and support oil rig moves, pipeline, outfall or cable installatio…
Oil Platform Positioning
We provide oil and gas operators with the information they need to ensure that an oil rig, drill ship, or platform is placed in it's intended position.
We can provide positioning with the position of the platform and also the tow vessels on screen with the ability to monitor or manage the tow from any of the platfor…
Real-Time Vessel Tracking
We have provided vessel tracking for various applications including dredge monitoring and channel design.
We distinguish this from offshore positioning in that this work typically involves autonomous installations with no personnel onboard. The equipment is installed and monitored remotely via telemetry radio, ce…
Science Disciplines Support
We are often contracted to support oceanographic, geodetic and geographic research for scientific programs. Our highly skilled surveyors are experienced collecting data for tides, currents, and the condition of the sea floor. Our vast array of technology and equipment allows ongoing data analysis and data reprocessin…
Search, Recovery and Salvage Support
Search and Recovery operations are often a joint effort involving multiple entities working together to achieve a safe and successful outcome. TerraSond's goal is to assist the search and recovery effort by mapping the seafloor.
We have provided support for salvage of grounded and sunken vessels as well as lost fix…
Seismic Exploration Support
We have provided both positioning and charting for seismic activities. Positioning vessels towing cables or the gun boats and also surveying critically shallow areas to allow for safe planning and navigation into them.
Renewable Energy
Cable Route Surveys
Offshore methods of generating renewable energy all require power cables to get the power from the point of generation to the point of use. Safe installation of cables requires a healthy knowledge of the route and the characteristics of the seafloor along the route. Avoidance of rocks, steep terrain and existing pipe…
Current Analysis
The ocean is constantly moving and how the water moves can influence climate and living conditions for plants and animals. The movement of the ocean also has an effect on the stability and longevity of man made items and understanding these currents can lead to better engineering solutions. Increasingly TerraSond is …
Design Support
Our clients rely on us to provide surveying support for their projects including the measurement of site conditions such as oceanographic and weather conditions which could effect the installation or power generated, and hydrographic, topographic and geophysical survey data which could determine the engineering require…
Geophysical Studies and Reports
Geophysical studies are necessary to engineer the structures required to support renewable energy systems. Whether the energy comes from wave, wind, geothermal, OTEC or tidal or river power it must sustain the other types of energy to remain in position and produce.
We can provide an investigation of the structure …
Oceanographic Studies and Reports
Our customers require up-to-date information on depth, tides, waves, currents, and underwater objects for their ocean and river projects. Our highly trained staff is able collect, process, and report this information with a high level of accuracy.
River Discharge Measurements
We have provided clients with river discharge measurements to determine navigability of a river, to study flood conditions, and to support harvesting renewable energy.
This data is usually collected with Acoustic Dopper Current Profilers (ADCP) which measure the speed and direction of the flows within the river. Th…
Site Selection
Our hydrographers identify optimum placement locations for hydroelectric turbines in rivers by conducting discharge measurements and river height measurements to identify the correlation between USGS published data and the specific factors associated with turbine sites. They also use bathymetry and geophysical imagery …
Support Services
Diving Support
Key to a safe and efficient operation is being able to monitor the work area. With our GPS, sonar systems and software we can position both the ship and divers for your projects. We are able to meet high levels of accuracy by obtaining positional data for the diver relative to the seabed, the ship relative to the seabe…
Permits and Leases
Permitting requirements affect many marine operations, restricting activities, determining methods and imposing requirements to verify the conditions before, during and after projects.
TerraSond has also provided plats meeting submerged lands leases for pipelines and cables, as well as tidelands leases.
TerraSond…
Satellite and Wireless Communications
Our highly experienced technical and IT staff is capable of designing solutions for the most difficult computer networking, telecommunications and satellite communications projects.
Terrasond offers design and deployment solutions for satellite communication that include:
• voice and voice over IP (VoIP) co…
Ship-to-Shore and Ship-to-Ship Telephone and Data Systems
We install wireless communications and wireless data-transfer technology from ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore, including satellite systems and VoIP technology to increase the efficiency of our projects.
These systems have produced a cost-effective means through which data and verbal exchange can take place where co…