Vieques Island: NOAA Projects - AUV/ROV Underwater UXO Investigation

NOAA Projects

AUV/ROV Underwater UXO Investigation

AUV being deployed in Bahia Salinas

AUV Survey Area
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In November 2006, NOAA's Office of Response and Restoration, Office of Coast Survey and the University of New Hampshire's Joint Hydrographic Center conducted an underwater survey to demonstrate the feasibility of using modern seafloor mapping technology to locate and identify underwater unexploded ordnance (UXO) in the waters surrounding the former Vieques Naval Training Range. The results of the project were presented in March 2007 and it was concluded that the techniques demonstrated were effective in locating and identifying UXO.

NOAA intends to conduct a follow-on survey using an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) equipped with side scan sonar to detect and locate UXO and a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) equipped with video cameras to visually identify UXO in previously un-surveyed areas. The use of an AUV is particularly beneficial due to the flexible mobilization, reduced logistical requirements, and ability to deploy from the shore to survey the shallow bays to the north of the former Live Impact Area.

Project Deliverables

Daily Products

Coverage Map (Side Scan Sonar Mosaics, Geographic Information System (GIS) product depicting daily area coverage)
Contact Map (GIS product with contact positions and statistics)
Un-edited digital ROV-collected video and contact log (position, time, description)

Final Products

Complete mosaic of sonar data
Overview GIS map of all significant contacts
Raw sensor data in various digital formats

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