All vertical and horizontal control activities conducted during the course of this survey are fully addressed in the following sections. Therefore, no separate HVCR is submitted.Mean Lower Low WaterOPR-A321-FH-15_VDatum_NAD83Elip_MLLW_EXTENSION.csarVDatumAs required by the Project Instructions, the hydrographer evaluated VDatum for the survey area prior to H12725 final processing. Based on this evaluation, the hydrographer recommended VDatum for final datum reduction. The Chief, Hydrographic Surveys Division, concurred with this recommendation. See Appendix II for the VDatum evaluation report and correspondence associated with the decision. All soundings submitted as H12725 are reduced to MLLW using documented VDatum techniques. If it is deemed necessary to change the water level reduction method to discrete zoning the following additional information will be useful. 1) The National Water Level Observation Network (NWLON) station serving as datum control for this survey is Portland (848150). 2) The submitted water level file (8418150.tid) is the final approved water levels for the period of hydrography. This file has been loaded to all CARIS lines submitted as H12725. 3) The submitted tide corrector (A321FH2015CORP.zdf) is the preliminary zoning file that was accepted as final per final tide note, submitted in Appendix I of this report. The file has been loaded to all CARIS lines submitted as H12725. 4) A request for final approved tides was sent to N/OPS1 on 09/10/2015. The final tide note was received on 09/17/2015 stating that preliminary zoning is accepted as the final zoning for survey project OPR-A321-FH-2015, Registry No. H12725, during the time period between January 26 - May 19, 2015.UTM Zone 19NBrunswick NAS, ME (316 kHz)DGPS was used as a backup for real-time positioning during acquisition. DGPS positions were utilized when either the MarineStar PPP or MTS RTK systems were down. All lines submitted are corrected using post-processed solutions.Smart BaseAll stations listed under the user installed table were obtained from a private network run and maintained by Maine Technical Source (MTS). Positions for these stations were added to the POSPac database using the average obtained from one week of observations (seven 24-hour files) submitted to the National Geodetic Surveys (NGS) Online Positioning User Service (OPUS).BARTLETT, Bartlett, NHBARNBRUNSWICK 7, Brunswick, MEBRU7SALISBURY, Salisbury, MAMASATRURO, Truro, MAMATUGORHAM, Gorham, MEMEGOAUGUSTA, Augusta, MEMEOWSOUTH PARIS, South Paris, MEMESPNHDOT CONCORD, Concord, NHNHCOU NEW HAMPSHIRE, Durham, NHNHUNNHDOT CONCORD, Concord, NHPENOBSCOT 5, Penobscot, MEPNBSMTS S. BERWICK, South Berwick, MEBMTSMTS HANOVER, Hanover, MAHMTSMTS KENNEBUNK, Kennebunk, MEKENNMTS YARMOUTH, Yarmouth, MEYMTSNorth American Datum of 1983 (NAD83)Real-time Kinematic correctors were obtained during acquisition and fed to the POS M/V via a computer connected to the internet and running NTRIP client software for all data collected post Dn019. The RTK network utilized was a private subscription network run by MTS. When in use, real-time accuracies far exceed the requirements stated in the HSSD.Real-time PPP correctors were obtained during acquisition via the POS M/V V5 for all data collected prior to Dn019. The Satellite based PPP service utilized was a private subscription service run by MarineStar. When in use, real-time accuracies exceed the standard operating procedure relying solely on the use of DGPS and the requirements stated in the HSSD. Some data coverage gaps do exist in the submitted surfaces. Analyses of surrounding data show the least depth over features have been achieved and holidays do not compromise data integrity. Additional discussion can be found in Section B.2.9 of this report.The purpose of project is to provide contemporary surveys to update National Ocean Service (NOS) nautical charting products. The survey area receives significant traffic from commercial and recreational fishing vessels.000048.5746.06.5000000048.5741.3000S250000004.7000S30022015-01-262015-01-292015-01-302015-02-042015-02-052015-02-062015-02-072015-02-082015-05-112015-05-122015-05-19040.430000The entire survey is adequate to supersede previous data.Survey layout for OPR-A321-FH-15, plotted over RNC 13286.SupportFiles\ProjectOverview.pngGeneral locality of H12725.SupportFiles\H12725_General_Area.JPGSurvey H12725 was conducted in the Gulf of Maine's Fletcher Neck to Moody Beach as shown in Figure 1.70.216416666743.283722222270.552583333343.4034444444Complete multibeam coverage was not achieved to the assigned sheet limits due to the lack of an appropriate near shore vessel. Additional work still needs to be completed at a future date utilizing a vessel that is capable of collecting data near shore. FERDINAND R. HASSLER personnel decided unsafe survey conditions exist inshore of the 30-foot contour.metersMultibeam Echo SounderMultibeam Echo Sounder BackscatterUniversal Transverse Mercator (UTM)2014-12-19CDR Marc S. Moser, NOAA2015-01-262015-05-19Navigable Area2015UTCAtlantic Hydrographic BranchNOAAUnited StatesFletcher Neck to Moody Beach400002MaineH12725OPR-A321-FH-15Gulf of MaineGulf of MaineNOAA Ship FERDINAND R. HASSLER2015-09-25Chief of PartyCDR Marc S. Moser, NOAA2015-09-25Field Operations OfficerLT Jon Andvick, NOAAOPR-A321-FH-15 Data Acquisition and Processing Report2015-09-252014 Hydrographic Systems Readiness Review Memo2014-05-06All field sheets, this Descriptive Report, and all accompanying records and data are approved. All records are forwarded for final review and processing to the Processing Branch.The survey data meets or exceeds requirements as set forth in the NOS Hydrographic Surveys and Specifications Deliverables Manual, Field Procedures Manual, Letter Instructions, and all HSD Technical Directives. These data are adequate to supersede charted data in their common areas. This survey is complete and no additional work is required with the exception of deficiencies noted in the Descriptive Report.As Chief of Party, field operations for this hydrographic survey were conducted under my direct supervision, with frequent personal checks of progress and adequacy. I have reviewed the attached survey data and reports.Several uncharted rocky seabed areas were included in the Final Feature File. Although chart 13286 includes a few "rky" and "Blds" throughout the surveyed area, the extent to which rocky seabed areas occurred was not accurately depicted. 1Danger to Navigation Reports are included in Appendix II of this report.2015-06-21H12725 DToN ReportNo shoals or potentially hazardous features exist for this survey.No AWOIS items were assigned for this survey.No channels exist for this survey. There are no designated anchorages, precautionary areas, safety fairways, traffic separation schemes, pilot boarding areas, or channel and range lines within the survey limits.Bottom samples were assigned for this survey, but were not acquired. A bottom sample was attempted, but negative temperatures caused seawater to freeze to the deck and therefore induced an unsafe working environment. Continuing frigid temperatures and time constraints further prevented bottom samples to be taken.No Maritime Boundary Points were assigned for this survey.Geographical representation of ENC analysis versus the surveyed soundings.SupportFiles\US5ME01M-H12725Overview.pngENC US5ME01M comparison.SupportFiles\US5ME01M-H12725.png4US5ME01M200002014-04-28false2014-06-04ENC soundings were extracted from the S-57 file and used to create an interpolated surface. The interpolated surface was then differenced with an 8-meter combined surface from survey H12725 (See Figure 20). The depth differences range from -3.17 to 3.46 meters. On average, the survey H12725 were deeper than charted by 0.71 meters (See Figure 21). Geographical representation of ENC analysis versus the surveyed soundings.SupportFiles\US4ME01M-H12725Overview.pngENC US4ME01M comparison.SupportFiles\US4ME01M-H12725.png11US4ME01M800002014-04-28false2015-04-01ENC soundings were extracted from the S-57 file and used to create an interpolated surface. The interpolated surface was then differenced with an 8-meter combined surface from survey H12725 (See Figure 22). The depth differences range from -30.71 to 26.54. On average, the survey H12725 were deeper than charted by 3.62 meters (See Figure 23). Chart 13286 comparison. SupportFiles\ChartComparison.png322015-05-022015-05-2320552013-128000013286A comparison was performed with Chart 12208 (1:50,000) using soundings and contours derived from the 8-meter finalized surface. Most charted depths agree to within 5 feet of H12725 surveyed soundings with notable exceptions shown in Figure 19. In general, surveyed soundings were deeper than charted. No charted features exist for this survey.No platforms exist for this survey.Per the Project Instructions, two crosslines were completed and submitted to the IOCM Center. Correspondence has been provided in Appendix II. State of Maine JunctionNo significant features exist for this survey.Prior survey comparisons exist for this survey, but were not investigated.No new insets are recommended for this area.The inshore area of H12725 was surveyed near the safe navigable limit achievable by HASSLER without the use of a survey launch. Work inshore of the western limit of H12725 will require a survey launch due to high density of lobster fishing gear, proximity to hazards, and shallow depths. The hydrographer recommends these areas be addressed in a later survey by a platform suited for near shore work.Shoreline was assigned in the Hydrographic Survey Project Instructions, but was not investigated. Given sea states, age of prior surveys (1940-1969) and lack of a working launch, it was unsafe to acquire shoreline data.No present or planned construction or dredging exist within the survey limits.No overhead features exist for this survey.No submarine features exist for this survey.No ferry routes or terminals exist for this survey.No Aids to navigation (ATONs) exist for this survey.Sources of error data applied during CARIS processing for lines reduced with VDatum separation model.SupportFiles\UncertaintySources.PNGSources of error data applied during CARIS processing for lines reduced with discrete zoning.SupportFiles\UncertaintySources2.PNGTwo tidal models were available for water level corrections associated with survey H12725. A discrete tide zone file, produced by CO-OPS for project OPR-A321-FH-15, was provided to the field unit. Additionally, a vertical datum transformation (VDatum) model was delivered to the field unit in the project instructions. All data, with exception to nine lines, for survey H12725 were reduced to MLLW via VDatum. This model functioned as a gridded separation model for GPS tide computations with a 0.081 meter uncertainty. Final TPU calculations are derived from the following sources: VDatum separation model, sound velocity (MVP and surface sound velocimeter), HVF uncertainties, and SBET post processed uncertainty. Error data sources applied through CARIS processing software are listed in Figure 8. Nine lines from DN132 do not have delayed heave or SBETs applied. POS positioning data was not recorded separately for this day. As a result, real-time heave data was used. Real-time heave has a greater uncertainty, and therefore the uncertainty in the grid and its associated soundings are higher. In addition, these lines were reduced to MLLW using verified tides as a VDatum model could not be applied. The uncertainty value of the discrete zoning model (0.16m) provided by CO-OPS was used during TPU calculations. In addition Figure 9 shows the error data sources applied through CARIS processing software for the nine lines which have final tides applied. 0.0810.010.160.011.50S2501There were no other factors that affected corrections to soundings.None ExistLocation of crosslines, shown in purple and mainscheme data for H12725.SupportFiles\Crossline_Locations.JPGH12725 crossline difference statistics: mainscheme minus crosslines.SupportFiles\XL_Diff_Values.pngMain scheme minus crossline differenced surface shown overlaid on mainscheme data. Large differences (red and blue) appear to be greatest in areas of high relief.SupportFiles\XL_MS_Diff.JPGThe above statement is an automated comment from the XML DR schema. The crosslines for survey H12725 totaled 6.5% of mainscheme acquisition. A geographic plot of crosslines is shown in Figure 5. To evaluate crossline agreement, two 4-meter surfaces were created: one from crossline soundings, the other from mainscheme soundings. These two surfaces were differenced using CARIS HIPS and SIPS. The statistical analysis of the differences between the mainscheme and crossline surfaces is shown in Figure 6. The average difference between the surfaces is 0.07 meters with a standard deviation of 0.50 meters; 95% of all differences were less than 0.45 meters from the mean. The high standard deviation is thought to result from high relief in particular areas of the survey shown in Figure 7.Junctions associated with survey H12725.SupportFiles\H12725Junctions.pngThree surveys junction with survey H12725, two surveys from 2014 to the south and east and a contemporary junction to the north. See Figure 10 for further information.Surface difference statistics for H12725 and W00288.SupportFiles\H12725_W00288_JunctionResult.tifExample of high relief areas causing large differences in surfaces of H12725 and W00288.SupportFiles\H12725_W00288_JunctionExample.pngSurvey W00288 was performed by a vessel of opportunity, Amy Gale, which is a lobster fishing boat equipped with a Kongsberg EM2040C. Moderate agreement between adjacent surveys with W00288 being the deeper of the two by 0.3m, on average. Wide standard deviation is the result of CUBE being derived from separate datasets in areas with frequent and abrupt changes in topography (See Figure 12). 40000EAMY GALE2014W00288Surface difference statistics for H12725 and H12697.SupportFiles\H12725_H12697_JunctionResult.tifExcellent agreement, with depth difference averaging 0.03m. Wide standard deviation is the result of CUBE being derived from separate datasets in areas with frequent and abrupt changes in topography. 40000SNOAA Ship FERDINAND R. HASSLER2014H12697Surface difference statistics for H12725 and H12726.SupportFiles\H12726-H12725_Differenced_stats.tifExcellent agreement, depth differences average 0.02m with a small standard deviation.40000SNOAA Ship FERDINAND R. HASSLER2015H12726Hassler CTD casts using the MVP-200 were taken approximately every 3-4 hours. Comparison were made by the survey watch and sound speed variation was believed to be affected more by space than time. The two NRT5 CTD casts were taken within 1 hour of each other. The reason for the short period of time in between casts is that the distance between the two general areas where holiday lines were acquired is approximately 6.5 km.H12725 sound speed profile locations: lines colored by SV profileSupportFiles\SVP_Distribution.JPGH12725 NRT5 sound speed profile locations: blue and green lines represent the two locations and associated lines of NRT5's SVP castsSupportFiles\NRT_SVP_casts.PNGSound speed corrections were applied in CARIS using Nearest in Distance Within Time (NIDWT) of 4 hours for the entire survey (Figure 15). One SVP cast was taken south of the project on the first day of acquisition and is included in the submitted SVP file but not shown in Figure 16. There were no conditions or deficiencies that affected equipment operational effectiveness.None ExistAll equipment and survey methods were used as detailed in the DAPR.43-18-28.8N 70-25-34.0W: Holiday example due to lack of data.SupportFiles\holiday_1.PNG43-20-14.4N 70-23-43.4W: Holiday example due to lack of data.SupportFiles\holiday_2.PNGThe ship was unable to acquire coverage over all holidays primarily due to the density of fishing gear. Holiday acquisition was focused on navigationally significant holidays that were prioritized by the Atlantic Hydro Branch (reference email captured in supplemental correspondence). NRT5 was leveraged to provide coverage of the priority holidays the ship could not acquire. There are approximately 7 remaining holidays deemed non-navigationally significant within the limits of H12725. Fishing gear, inclement weather and time constraints are the basis for these data shortfalls. After investigation, it appears the holidays, in conjunction with the areas they reside in, do not pose any threats to navigation. Several smaller data gaps (less than 3 nodes) occur within the survey but are not "holidays" as per HSSD Section 5.2.2.4. Holidays occur in the following general locations: 43-18-19.3N 70-30-37.1W (1 holiday) 43-18-23.7N 70-25-17.4W (2 holidays) 43-20-14.7N 70-23-46.6W (1 holiday) 43-21-15.0N 70-21-32.8W (1 holiday) 43-22-09.4N 70-21-47.6W (1 holiday) 43-23-23.0N 70-20-56.8W (1 holiday)HolidaysA density analysis was performed using the Finalized CSAR QC tool provided within Pydro. The results determined that 99.88% of all nodes within survey H12725 contain five or more soundings. The density analysis was executed on nodes which are populated by a least one sounding and did not account for holidays located within the surface. For additional information see the Standards Compliance Report in Appendix II.Data DensityTotal vertical uncertainty analysis was performed using the Finalized CSAR QA tool provided within Pydro. The resulting statistical analysis found 99.99% of all nodes within survey H12725 meet the vertical uncertainty standards of section 5.1.3 of the 2014 Hydrographic Surveys Specifications and Deliverables. For additional information see the Standards Compliance Report in Appendix II.Total Vertical Uncertainty AnalysisSonar system quality control checks were conducted as detailed in the quality control section of the DAPR.Refer to the Data Acquisition and Processing Report (DAPR) for a complete description of data acquisition and processing systems, survey vessels, quality control procedures and data processing methods. Additional information to supplement sounding and survey data, and any deviations from the DAPR are discussed in the following sections. DAPR for NRT5, vessel S3002, is located in at the end of the DAPR for vessel S250 as an appendix.7125RESONMBESEM 3002KongsbergMBESPOS M/V 320 V5ApplanixPositioning and Attitude SystemMBX-4HemispherePositioning SystemSPS 361TrimblePositioning SystemMVP-200Brooke OceanSound Speed SystemMicro XAMLSound Speed SystemMicroCTDAMLConductivity, Temperature, and Depth Sensor19 PlusSeabirdConductivity, Temperature, and Depth SensorSVP-70RESONSound Speed SystemNOAA Ship FERDINAND R. HASSLER (S250)SupportFiles\Hassler_stern_bow_clean.pngNRT5 (S3002)SupportFiles\NRT5-DR sample.bmp37.70S2503.7733S30021.00NOAA Ship FERDINAND R. HASSLER (S250), shown in Figure 3, and NRT5, shown in Figure 4, acquired all surveyed soundings during operations for H12725.All data reduction procedures conform to those detailed in the DAPR.All sounding systems were calibrated as detailed in the DAPR.Raw Backscatter was logged in the .s7k file format for vessel S250 and in the .all format for NRT5 data. Said data has been sent to the Processing Branch. Backscatter was not processed by the field unit.NOAA_1mH12725_MB_1m_MLLWComplete MBESCUBE128.218.331NOAA_2mH12725_MB_2m_MLLWComplete MBESCUBE107.368.582NOAA_4mH12725_MB_4m_MLLWComplete MBESCUBE97.398.604NOAA_8mH12725_MB_8m_MLLWComplete MBESCUBE97.368.658NOAA_1mH12725_MB_1m_MLLW_FinalComplete MBESCUBE208.241NOAA_2mH12725_MB_2m_MLLW_FinalComplete MBESCUBE40182NOAA_4mH12725_MB_4m_MLLW_FinalComplete MBESCUBE80364NOAA_8mH12725_MB_8m_MLLW_FinalComplete MBESMBES Tracline97.36728NOAA Profile V_5_3_2