USV Surveyor

SeaBot Maritime | Academy

Practical training in shallow-water hydrographic surveying

Plan a survey, collect sonar data with an uncrewed surface vessel (USV) and turn your own field measurements into bathymetric maps in QGIS.

When a depth reading stands out from the rest, how do you tell whether you’ve found a feature on the riverbed or picked up a poor sounding?

On this five-day course, you’ll follow your own shallow-water survey from the first planned line to the finished map. You’ll spend two days in the field setting up a USV, running survey lines and checking the sonar data as it comes in. Back at your desk, you’ll investigate unexpected readings and use QGIS to build depth maps from the measurements you collected.

Working with the same dataset from start to finish lets you see how decisions about sensor choice, line spacing and positioning affect the detail you can trust in your final map.

USV operators who want to develop the survey skills behind vessel operations, from planning sonar coverage to checking the resulting data.

Land and hydrographic surveyors who want to add USV-based shallow-water surveying to their work.

Port, harbour and waterway teams involved in dredging, sediment monitoring or environmental surveys.

GIS specialists, engineers and researchers who work with rivers, reservoirs or coastal waters and want practical experience collecting and interpreting depth data.

Day 1 | Plan your survey
Compare singlebeam and multibeam echo sounders with side-scan sonar. Choose a sensor configuration and plan survey lines and cross lines for the coverage and detail you need. Explore how positioning, vessel motion and sound velocity affect your measurements.

Days 2 and 3 | Collect data on the water
Set up a USV and operate it in manual and autonomous modes. Run survey lines, collect singlebeam and multibeam depth measurements, and capture side-scan imagery. Monitor the incoming data, take sound-velocity measurements and record water levels. Compare survey patterns to see how they affect coverage and resolution.

Days 4 and 5 | Process and map your results
Work with the data you collected in the field. Check positions, apply depth corrections, investigate suspect soundings and interpret side-scan imagery. Create depth surfaces, contours and cross-sections, then use QGIS to map your results alongside shoreline or topographic data. Export your work in standard GIS and hydrographic formats.

I am an international student. Will I be able to join your training course?

Yes, international students are welcome to join our course. We can provide a letter of invitation to support your visa application. For more information about the visa process, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration

Will accommodation and travel be included in the course price?

No, accommodation and travel are not included in the course price. However, we can recommend local hotels or advise whether your chosen accommodation is conveniently located near the training site before you book.

How much time will I spend on the field?

Two days. You’ll set up the USV, run survey lines and monitor the sonar data as you collect it. The final two days are dedicated to processing and mapping those measurements.

What will I produce during the course?

You’ll use your own field data to create depth surfaces, contours and cross-sections. In QGIS, you’ll combine your results with shoreline or topographic data to produce a bathymetric map.

View Course Brochure

Course Information

Duration

Delivery

5 Days

In person

Student Places

Maximum 8 students per course

Cost

POA

Location

Plymouth, UK

SeaBot Maritime | Academy

USV Surveyor

Practical training in shallow-water hydrographic surveying

Plan a survey, collect sonar data with an uncrewed surface vessel (USV) and turn your own field measurements into bathymetric maps in QGIS.

Contact us if you have any questions about this course or if you would like to discuss a tailored version to suit your company requirements.

We look forward to talking to you

SeaBot Maritime | Academy

USV Surveyor

Practical training in shallow-water hydrographic surveying

​Plan a survey, collect sonar data with an uncrewed surface vessel (USV) and turn your own field measurements into bathymetric maps in QGIS.

Contact us if you have any questions about this course or if you would like to discuss a tailored version to suit your company requirements.

We look forward to talking to you

Plan a survey, collect sonar data with an uncrewed surface vessel (USV) and turn your own field measurements into bathymetric maps in QGIS.