Hydrographic Surveying

With a dedicated fleet, the latest technologies, and experienced personnel, our hydrographic survey team is available at a moment’s notice.

Rapid response.

Our fleet comprises six trailered survey vessels and several portable crewed and uncrewed survey craft stationed at multiple Portland metro locations. Our vessels and equipment remain mobilized and can be deployed for surveys throughout the Northwest within hours of a request when urgency is required.

Schedule flexibility and close coordination.

Our team has successfully collaborated with port authorities, public agencies, and private contractors and consultants for nearly 20 years at active marine sites. We understand flexibility is paramount when working around the dynamic terminal and project schedules.

Cutting-edge technology.

AKS is at the forefront of hydrographic surveying and met-ocean data collection technological advances. Whether collected from our remotely operated (uncrewed) vessels or fully outfitted large offshore manned vessels, we can acquire high-quality data in any aquatic environment.

Resolution matters.

AKS owns and operates some of the highest-resolution sonars on the market and regularly employs precise RTK and PPK-GNSS positioning techniques. These allow us to acquire and produce high-resolution mapping products that include stunning detail of the seafloor surface and bottom debris. Collecting the highest-resolution data feasible yields the ability to identify dangers to navigation, ensuring safe maritime transit clearly.

Available Services

Our hydrographic surveyors use single-beam sonar to create a detailed seafloor profile by transmitting sound waves and recording the time it takes for the echo to return. We can then use this data to create a three-dimensional seafloor map.

Our hydrographic survey team can use Multi-Transducer (Sweep) Surveying to map out the ocean floor and measure underwater features. We can then use this data to produce accurate navigational charts.

We use multibeam sonar surveying to map out the seafloor, which gives us accurate data about bathymetric depths and seafloor features. This gives our surveyors the data to create detailed navigational charts.

Using a special sonar device, our hydrographic survey team can scan the seafloor to create a two-dimensional image of the terrain’s shape and contours and detect any navigational hazards.

To map the sub-surface geology of a body of water, we use sound waves to accurately measure the depth and composition of sediment layers below the seafloor. This data can be used to create a three-dimensional representation of the seafloor and can identify features like pipelines, shipwrecks, and other underwater hazards.

Marine magnetometer surveying uses magnetic sensors to measure and map the strength and direction of the Earth’s magnetic field. Our surveyors can use this data to identify submerged wrecks, pipelines, and other objects in the water to create detailed charts of the surveyed area.

Using a vessel-mounted laser-based system, we can measure and map the seafloor in high resolution to produce high-quality 3D datasets quickly and efficiently.

We use weather- and ocean-related data to accurately measure the depths of the sea and provide detailed information about the seafloor topography so you have the most accurate information for building coastal structures

Our team collects data using technology such as echo sounders and satellite imagery to understand the forces at work in the ocean to help you make decisions about your coastal engineering and offshore energy projects.

Our hydrographic surveying team can analyze samples from different water sources to assess water quality and identify areas of pollution and contamination so you know what corrective measures must be taken.

Our suspended sediment/turbidity measurements accurately measure the amount of suspended sediment and turbidity present in a water sample. The resulting data can be used to decide on water quality and potential environmental impacts.

By collecting data from existing tide stations, our hydrographic surveyors can create a mathematical model to predict water levels in different locations to help inform decisions around your coastal projects.

We provide captain and crew, navigation, positioning, depth readings, and other assistance to support clients’ data collection and/or transport needs.