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Case Study: C.Ro berth survey
Our in-house drone survey capacity can provide support for a variety of projects and present the data in a variety of outputs.
As part of a licensing requirement, C.Ro needed to survey the area surrounding their berth, including some shallow mud floats. The problem was that the mud flats were too shallow to survey economically with a multibeam echo sounder, due to the vey narrow tidal window when there was enough water over the area, and also that due to the shallow depths a MBES system could only survey a narrow swath.
The solution that the PLA provided was to survey the area with an aerial drone using photogrammetry. This is a technique whereby the drone takes thousands of photos as it fly a grid over the area. These photos can then be merged using specialist software to create a 3D model. We are able to generate the 3D model from the 2D photos because of the range of angles we take the photographs from. We also place control points on the land to enable the model to georeferenced.
This is an ideal solution for surveying shallow intertidal areas.
Case Study: National Grid asset inspection
High resolution photography offers unparalleled detail.
The Port of London Authority was commissioned by the National Grid Grain LNG as the principle contractor for the 2018 inspection and condition survey. the charted engineering company Marmus were subcontracted by the PLA to specify and direct inspection works.
Our high resolution photography allowed engineers unparalleled detail in reviewing hard-to-access structures. All photography is geo-tagged and mapped to fully secure google earth/GIS format -- giving engineers full high-res access for remote assessment.
High resolution panoramic photographic assets of key sections were also supplied -- enabling quick previews of potentially troublesome areas. In addition, we provided the client with 4K video to show each jetty in context.
High resolution panoramic photographic assets of key sections were also supplied -- enabling quick previews of potentially troublesome areas. In addition, we provided the client with 4K video to show each jetty in context -- above and below the waterline.
Diving works were undertaken by SeaLift and Marine plant provision, with support for all afloat operations by Whitstable Matine, both of which are experienced National Grid contractors.
A full ultrasonic thickness survey of 25% of piles both above and below the water level was undertaken and logged. The data and high resolution imagery was analysed against design and previous inspection data by Marmus to inform final asset condition reporting.
The combined data collection offers unprecedented ease of assessment for all stakeholders, from surveyor to engineer.
Case Study: Shell S-Jetty
We combined MBES, vessel-based laser and terrestrial laser to provide the client with the most detailed images of their asset.
In 2016, the Port of London Authority was commissioned by Shell to survey its S-Jetty in Coryton, Essex. The survey supported the required asset integrity assessment of the jetty and associated structures and acted as a baseline to monitor for any future changes to the structure and surrounding riverbed. Primary data was captured using the high resolution multibeam, terrestrial and vessel-based laser scanning.
Once collected we combine datasets to produce high resolution, point cloud visualisations that isolate sections of the structure for review across multiple reports. The resultant visualisations allow for any changes to be easily illustrated and reviewed in client-accessible software.
For instance, we assessed verticality and alignment of submerged piling or structures and measured deviations. By comparing with previous datasets, we can identify any significant change over the intervening period, as visualised above and below.
Using an array of techniques enables us to deliver side-by-side scan comparisons to clients, who can then decide which technique suits their needs best going forward. Furthermore, we've invested in new high-res photographic image capture.
Once images are captured, post processing enables detailed targeted imagery to be extracted -- even from areas of shade: The ultra high resolution then allows engineers to make accurate visual assessments, with all photos geo-referenced. Images can then be combined to extract a photogrammetry generated scan. The imagery data can be used to generate point clouds and associated products such as cross-sections, 3D models or drawings.
With a full spectrum of services, the PLA are able to collaborate with our clients to deliver a tailored service to the needs of each project.
Geotechnical and geophysical data
Need high resolution image of the sub-surface (<10m)?
The PLA can acquire a 3D CHIRP survey.
Benefits:
- A subsurface image with 12.5 (or 25cm) horizontal resolution
- The acquisition of GeoChirp 3D data will open opens up for extraction of geophysical properties and object detections
Deliverables:
- Report
- Geotiff of GeoChirp 3D Coverage
- Processed 3D SEG-Y files (NMO and migrated)
Need know the depth to a sub-surface layer to de-risk engineering design?
The PLA extract geophysical horizons from 2D and 3D seismic data.
Benefits:
- Allow accurate calculation of required pile depth
- Reduce the risk of surprises during the construction phase
Deliverables:
- XYZ isopach layer of the top sediment boundary
- Geotiff of GeoChirp 3D Coverage
- Processed 3D SEG-Y files
Need to know the strength of subsurface material for engineering works?
The PLA can conduct Cone Penetration Tests using a coiled tube CPT unit
Benefits:
- Deployed from vessel
- Reduced risk for engineering works
Deliverables:
- Report
- CPT data is converted in AGS format and interpreted logs produced
Need to obtain a subsurface core for analysis?
The PLA can acquire cores using a VibroCorer unit.
Benefits:
- Deployed from vessel
Deliverables:
- Report
- Cores
Need to image the subsurface to 10s of meters?
The PLA can acquire a 2D seismic profile using a multi-channel boomer system.
Benefits:
- 10s of meters imaged (dependant on sediments)
- True depth imaging, derivation of ground model with attenuation and velocity calculations
Deliverables:
- Report
- Processed 2D SEG-Y files (NMO and Migrated)
- True depth imaging (optional)
- Ground modelling with velocity and attenuation (optional)
Need a 2D image the subsurface to <10 meters?
The PLA can acquire a 2D seismic profile using a single channel Chirp or Pinger system.
Benefits:
- Penetration to ~10m (or approximately water depth due multiple)
- High frequency (16kHz+) giving high resolution
Deliverables:
- Report
- Processed 2D SEG-Y files
- Stratigraphic interpretation
UXO survey suite
Need a UXO survey?
The PLA can acquire a suite of surveys to provide a comprehensive UXO survey package, for example:
- Gradiometer survey
- Sidescan survey
- MBES survey
- GeoChirp 3D survey
Benefits:
- Reduced risk of unexpected UXO
- Reduced risk of delays
- Valuable data set that can be leveraged for other uses
Deliverables:
- Listing of Potential Contacts, XYZ
- Target Characterisation Sheets
- Geotiff of GeoChirp 3D Coverage
- Survey report
The PLA can acquire gradiometer surveys.
Benefits:
- Identification of ferrous objects, which could affect future works
- Georeferenced
- Data can be cross correlated with other surveys
Deliverables:
- Report
- Gradiometer geotiff
- Excel list of ferrous anomalies
The PLA can acquire sidescan surveys
Benefits:
- Detects objects not readily imaged by other means
Deliverables:
- Report
- Sidescan geotiff
- Excel list of surface contacts
The PLA can acquire backscatter surveys.
Benefits:
- Data georeferenced, so it can be integrated with MBES data
- Can be acquired during a MBES survey
- Can be used to model surface composition, eliminating or reducing the need for grab samples
Deliverables:
- Report
- Sidescan geotiff
- Excel list of surface contacts
Need high resolution image of the sub-surface (<10m)?
The PLA can acquire a 3D CHIRP Survey.
Benefits:
- A subsurface image with 12.5 (or 25cm) horizontal resolution
- The acquisition of GeoChirp 3D data will open opens up for extraction of geophysical properties, object detections
Deliverables:
- Report
- Geotiff of GeoChirp 3D Coverage
- Processed 3D SEG-Y files (NMO and migrated)
Need to detect objects in the subsurface?
The PLA can process the GeoChirp 3D data to characterise subsurface objects.
Benefits:
- Subsurface objects accurately positioned
- Subsurface objects dimensioned
Deliverables:
- Report
- Listing of Potential Contacts, XYZ with object dimension
- Target Characterisation Sheets
Support for civil engineering
Need support for a project?
Need a survey of under water and surface combined?
PLA can acquire both bathymetric data, surface laser data, and photographic and combine them into a single seamless point cloud.
Benefits:
- All survey data in one place
- Easy to extract measurements
Deliverables:
- full xyz point cloud
- decimated xyz point cloud
- Fledermaus scene file
The PLA can acquire both bathymetric data of river and dock walls.
Benefits:
- Easy to take measurements from the data
- Can identify defects
- Historic record in case of any future damage
- Can reduce diver time and focus attention to defects
Deliverables:
- Full xyz point cloud
- Decimated xyz point cloud
- Fledermaus scene file
- Report
Need historic river records?
The PLA hold chart data (and other data sets) going back to early 1900s.
Benefits:
- Know the site history
- Know the changes occurring over time
- Reduce the risk of surprises during construction
Deliverables:
- PDF files
- Partially digitised-georeferenced
- Fully digitised with soundings extracted
Need a UXO survey prior to works?
The PLA can acquire a suite of surveys to provide a comprehensive UXO survey package, for example:
- Gradiometer survey
- Sidescan survey
- MBES survey
- GeoChirp 3D survey
Benefits
- Reduced risk of unexpected UXO
- Reduced risk of delays
- Valuable data set that can be leveraged for other uses
Deliverables
- Listing of Potential Contacts, XYZ
- Target Characterisation Sheets
- Geotiff of GeoChirp 3D Coverage
- Survey report
Assessing asset integrity
We can help you assess your assets.
We can acquire a bathymetric survey with a multi-beam echo sounder and combine this with an above water survey for you.
The result will be a seamless data set. We acquire the above water survey on a low tide and the below water survey on the high tide. This results in an overlap in the two data sets.
For the above water survey, we can acquire vessel-based laser, land-based laser, or aerial drone photogrammetry.
Benefits:
- All survey data in one place
- Easy to extract measurements
- Assurance that the two data sets align
Deliverables:
Interactive 3D point cloud model hosted the web.
Using a multibeam echo sounder, the PLA can conduct a survey of a river wall for you. For this we usually tilt the multibeam so it is directed to the wall.
The point cloud data produced will allow defects -- such as missing bricks in the wall shown at right -- to be easily identified. This method is safer and more efficient than putting divers in the water.
It then allows any diving, if required, to be focused on areas of concern.
Benefits:
- Easy to take measurements from the data
- Can identify defects
- Historic record in case of any future damage
- Can reduce diver time and focus attention to defects
Deliverables:
- Interactive 3D point cloud model hosted the web
- Report
The PLA can gather bathymetric data over the scour protection, this will show if there is any erosion of material an allow early intervention.
This could be scour protection placed over the top of a tunnel, so it is important to know there is adequate coverage above the tunnel.
Additionally, if the surveys are repeated, you will be able to see the changes over time.
Benefits:
- Reduce risk
- Allow intervention before it’s too late
- Historic record
Deliverables:
- Interactive 3D point cloud model hosted the web
- Report
The PLA can capture a multibeam echo sounder image of the structure for you, which allows you to view the asset as 3 dimensional model.
For this the PLA vessel would move around the structure with the multibeam echo sounder tilted to look at the structure, so allowing maximum imaging of the asset.
In addition, the PLA can deploy divers to take ultrasonic thickness measurements, if required, thus building up a more complete picture of the asset.
Benefits:
- Easy to take measurements from the data
- Can identify defects
- Historic record in case of any future damage
- Can reduce diver time and focus attention to defects
Deliverables:
- Interactive 3D point cloud model hosted the web
- Plots
- Survey report(s)
The PLA can produce high resolution georeferenced photography. This will allow easy management of a large number of photographs.
Benefits:
- Georeferenced so that the photos can be displayed in Google Earth or similar viewer for easy management
- High resolution so that the images can be zoomed to see details
Deliverables:
- Report
- Georeferenced Images
- KML file for viewing in google earth
The PLA can acquire multibeam echo sounder over the pipeline route and identify any exposed sections. This will allow early intervention before pipe failure.
Also if you wanted to purchase a pipeline assets, such a survey would help confirm its condition ahead of purchase.
Benefits:
- Safe and non-intrusive.
- Calculation of fill volumes required can be generated
- Cost saving by early intervention
Deliverables:
- Interactive 3D point cloud model hosted the web.
- Plots
- Survey report
The PLA can collect data from a vessel mounted laser linked to the vessel's positioning system, allowing it to capture data as the vessel moves.
An ideal solution for survey of bridges, piers, and jetties. An example is shown in the grey scale image at right.
Benefits:
- Data importable into CAD packages
- Data can be integrated with multibeam echo sounder data to generate a seamless data set.
- Can take measurements from the data set
- Can generate profiles and cross sections
Deliverables:
- Report
- Point cloud
Support for dredging
The PLA can assist and advise on your dredging project throughout its lifecycle
Need to acquire and test samples pre dredging work?
We can acquire surface samples using hand grabs and day grabs from a vessel, or collect from the foreshore.
Benefits:
- Knowledge of the requirements
- Fast turnaround
- Options for additional testing
Deliverables:
- Sampling report including:
- Charted samples locations
- Chain of custody
- Description of sample method
Need to know volume of material to dredge and confirm dredging performed as planned?
The PLA can acquire bathymetric surveys pre and post dredging operations.
Benefits:
- Easy to take measurements from the data
- Can identify defects
- Historic record in case of any future damage
- Can reduce diver time and focus attention to defects
Deliverables:
- full xyz point cloud
- decimated xyz point cloud
- Fledermaus scene file
- Plots
- Survey report(s) specifying including:
- Controlling depths on the berths.
- Outline of operations
- The extent of any obstructions, scour or other notable features
- Volume calculations, difference surfaces and associated specified deliverables will be included in the reported Post-Dredge survey.
Need to see changes over time?
The PLA can acquire surveys over the same areas at different times and generate difference models between these to show the changes over time.
Benefits:
Know about any scouring or accretion as soon as possible so action can be taken.
Deliverables:
- Full xyz point cloud
- Decimated xyz point cloud
- Fledermaus scene file
- Plots
- Survey report(s)
Need to know volume of material to dredge to be dredged, or and confirm how much was material has been removed?
The PLA can use the bathymetric data to calculate the volumes you need to know, either planned dredge volumes, or post dredge.
Example of volumes for volumes for different target depth:
Benefits:
- Facilitates dredging license applications
- Can weigh the costs/benefits for different dredge depths
- Offers an independent volume calculation, where contractors are on a per m3 rate
Deliverables:
- Survey report with required volumes
- Chart showing the planned dredge area
Survey of depths on berth
Need to know what depths you have on your berth?
We can acquire a bathymetric survey and chart this for you.
Benefits:
- Reduce the risk of vessel grounding
- Can be used to guide for when dredging is required to maintain depths
- Know what draft of berth you can safely accept
- Know about any obstruction
Deliverables:
- xyz point cloud
- Web based 3D visualisation of the point cloud data
- Plots
- Survey report(s) specifying including:
- Controlling depths on the berths.
- Outline of operations
- The extent of any obstructions, scour or other notable features
Port of London Authority welcomes four more Pilots to meet increasing demand
Four Pilots have joined the Port of London Authority (PLA)’s 123-strong team of Pilots, as the demand for pilotage services in the UK’s busiest port continues to grow.
- Significant growth of trade is expected on the river
- Supporting our Thames Vision goal of continuing investment in pilotage
With the new fourth berth at London Gateway expected to be completed in early summer this year, significant growth of trade is expected on the river increasing demand on our vital service.
In 2023, the PLA achieved a 99.6 per cent pilotage service level for customers, during which our pilots guided 13,707 vessels along the river and estuary.
Embarking on a comprehensive training programme, which will equip them for the unique challenges of navigating the Thames, are:
- Patrick Kelly started his seagoing career as a Trinity House Cadet, before joining Princess Cruises as Third Officer, progressing to Second Officer. Patrick joined Stena Line in 2020 as Chief Officer and was subsequently promoted to Captain.
- Daniel Tolley began as a Cadet at Warsash Maritime Academy and has worked on Maersk container ships throughout his career. Eventually Daniel progressed to Chief Officer on the largest ships in the Maersk fleet.
- James Terry started at Thomson Cruises as a Cadet and, aside from year gaining experience in towage with Svitzer, James has spent his whole career at Thomson/Marella Cruises, working his way up to Staff Captain.
- Declan Farren, who studied at Fleetwood Nautical College, began his career at sea with Princess Cruises. He then moved to Virgin Voyages, working his way up to Safety Officer.
Dave Newbury, the PLA’s Marine Pilotage Manager said:
“Marine Pilots board vessels in all weathers 24/7, 365 days a year, with vessels carrying everything from food, fuel and vehicles, to building materials and aggregate. Guiding these ships to and from their berths within the river Thames demands a high level of specialised training, skill and navigational awareness.
“Expanding our pool of available talent means we will be able to remain resilient and will also help increase the volume of freight delivered to this country via the river Thames.”
