Large-Scale Navigational Chart Update Using Data Collected During the Super Storm Sandy Disaster Relief Efforts

TitleLarge-Scale Navigational Chart Update Using Data Collected During the Super Storm Sandy Disaster Relief Efforts
Publication TypeConference Abstract
Year2017
AuthorsPe'eri, S, Nyberg, J, Auclert, G, Barber, JE, Morrow, D, Wittrock, A
Conference NameAssociation of American Geographers (AAG) Annual Meeting
Conference LocationBoston, MA
Conference DatesApril 5 - 9

Since the 1930s, most of New Jersey’s intracoastal waters have not been surveyed to NOAA’s Coast Survey hydrographic standards. The main reason is lack of resources that are required to conduct IHO hydrographic surveys in shallow waters. As a result, the bathymetry used to compile the large-scale nautical charts (1:40,000) of New Jersey’s back bays is outdated. As part of the Superstorm Sandy disaster relief efforts, a novel approach was applied to update these charts. Bathymetric data collected by other federal and state agencies is being used to provide a current depiction of the bathymetry and update the metadata associated with surveys (IHO S-57 attributes). Although these datasets vary in quality and accuracy, they provide a current depiction of the bathymetry and its morphological characteristics. All data sets over a given area were ranked based on the survey technology and the service provider. The quality of the datasets were used to segment the dataset into three main quality groups before conducting compilation. The resulting compiled bathymetry products were evaluated following a chart adequacy procedure that included hydrographic characteristics, bathymetry (smooth sheet soundings and depth curves) and supplementary documentation. This paper outlines the different datasets used in the project and the adequacy evaluation of the data used in the chart for navigation.