Woolpert and Saildrone have partnered to collect and process bathymetric survey data for NOAA’s Ocean Exploration and Office of Coast Survey. The mission supports safe navigation and ocean mapping initiatives, including the National Strategy for Mapping, Exploring, and Characterizing the United States Exclusive Economic Zone and the Seabed 2030 initiative.
The Saildrone Surveyor
The centerpiece of the operation is the 20-meter Saildrone Surveyor uncrewed surface vehicle (USV). The Surveyor measures 20 m (65 ft) in hull length, with a 13 m (44 ft) wing height, a 3 m (11 ft) draft, and a cruise speed of 6 knots. Primary propulsion comes from the patented Saildrone Wing, with a 78 hp high-efficiency diesel engine providing auxiliary power. This dual-source architecture delivers up to 100 days of endurance between service stops and provides 2,000 W steady-state and 4,000 W peak payload power.
For Saildrone Surveyor bathymetric mapping, the vehicle carries a Kongsberg EM 304 MkII multibeam sonar for deep water and a Kongsberg EM 2040 MkII for shallow-water operations. An Applanix POS MV OceanMaster handles positioning, while Teledyne ADCP units monitor ocean currents. Satellite communications run via Starlink and Iridium, enabling near-real-time data transmission.
Mariana Islands Mission
This month, the Saildrone Surveyor began collecting high-resolution bathymetric data across a 13,000-square-nautical-mile area of the northwestern Pacific Ocean near the Mariana Islands. NOAA will use the data to enhance understanding of sensitive habitats, marine geohazards, seafloor composition, oceanographic conditions, and ecosystem management within the US exclusive economic zone. It will also expand taxonomic reference libraries for understudied marine organisms.
“The seafloor mapping and exploration data that the Surveyor collects around the Mariana Islands will close critical bathymetric gaps in the United States’ exclusive economic zone,” said Brian Connon, vice president of ocean mapping at Saildrone. “The Surveyor’s ability to remain at sea for months at a time, regardless of weather conditions or sea state, makes it an ideal platform to carry out this vital work. Saildrone is proud to be working with both Woolpert and NOAA in these crucial efforts to better understand our ocean, marine resources, and ecosystem.”
Real-Time Processing Pipeline
Saildrone transmits data to Woolpert in near-real time for processing and final delivery. Woolpert Maritime Market Director Dave Neff highlighted the integration between Saildrone’s mission portal and Woolpert’s automated survey production environment. “By integrating Saildrone’s mission portal with Woolpert’s automated survey production environment, we gain real-time visibility into acquisition progress and data quality—especially in deep-water regions that were once difficult and costly to access,” Neff said. “This collaboration shows how uncrewed systems and smart partnerships can expand what’s possible in ocean mapping.”
The contract is currently underway and expects to conclude in May 2026.
More information is available from the original press release.
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Ian McNabb is a journalist focusing on drone technology and lifestyle content at Dronelife. He is based between Boston and NH and, when not writing, enjoys hiking and Boston area sports.
