OPR-B315-KR-22 Approaches to Newport, RI Rhode Island Sound Ocean Surveys H13662 6 West of Vineyard Sound Massachusetts Rhode Island United States 20000 2022 John R. Bean Navigable Area 2022-06-13 2022-07-26 2022-08-12 Multibeam Echo Sounder Multibeam Echo Sounder Backscatter meters UTC Atlantic Hydrographic Branch Any revisions to the Descriptive Report (DR) applied during office processing are shown in red italic text. The DR is maintained as a field unit product, therefore all information and recommendations within this report are considered preliminary unless otherwise noted. The final disposition of survey data is represented in the NOAA nautical chart products. All pertinent records for this survey are archived at the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) and can be retrieved via https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/. Products created during office processing were generated in NAD83 UTM 19N, MLLW. All references to other horizontal or vertical datums in this report are applicable to the processed hydrographic data provided by the field unit. CC0-1.0 (NOAA Contractors) CC0-1.0 https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/ https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/legalcode These data were produced under contract with NOAA and any potential copyright was assigned to NOAA. NOAA waives any potential copyright and related rights in these data worldwide through the Creative Commons Zero 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication (CC0). Contractor This survey provides hydrographic data for waters approaching Newport, RI. The general locations of the survey limits are presented in Table 1. 41.416933 71.13072799999999 41.297571 70.818831 Survey limits were acquired in accordance with the requirements in the Project Instructions and the HSSD. The following text is quoted from the Purpose and Location section of the Project Instructions: The Approaches to Newport, RI project covers an area of 210 Square Nautical Miles (SNM), that connects Narragansett Bay, Block Island Sound, Buzzards Bay, and Vineyard Sound. This survey area serves as a major route for cargo, tanker, recreational and commercial fishing, and pleasure vessels transiting through the area. The Ports of Davisville, Providence, and New Bedford, are some of the busiest ports in New England serving international and domestic trade. These ports support automotive transportation, seafood and other cold storage, petroleum products, and construction materials and equipment. Commercial fishing, transportation and recreation are major activities in the area, with the Port of Galilee in Narragansett serving as the home port for many charter fishing vessels and sightseeing tours. Additionally, it serves as a major hub for year round ferry service to Block Island providing an essential transportation link to the island and the community of New Shoreham. The Cities of Newport, Wickford, Warwick and other cities in the vicinity of the survey area are well known for their sailing and recreational boating activities. Events such as the annual Newport Regatta bring national and international recognition for the competitive sailing that takes place in the area. The available bathymetric data in the survey area is almost all over a century old, with the most recent survey conducted in the 1930's. The bathymetric and feature data acquired as part of this project will be used to update National Ocean Service nautical charting products and services as well as support the Seabed 2030 global initiative. The survey data from this project is intended to supersede all prior survey data in the common area. The entire survey is adequate to supersede previous data. All waters in survey area Complete Coverage (Refer to HSSD Section 5.2.2.3) Survey coverage was in accordance with the requirements listed above and in the HSSD. Survey H13662 coverage overlaid on a composite of RNCs. SupportFiles\H13662-overview.JPG MV Northstar Challenger 0.0 972.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 42.1 0.0 RV North Cove 0.0 38.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1010.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 42.1 0.0 4.2 7 0 0 0 38.59 2022-07-26 2022-07-27 2022-07-28 2022-07-29 2022-07-30 2022-07-31 2022-08-01 2022-08-02 2022-08-04 2022-08-05 2022-08-11 2022-08-12 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. MV Northstar Challenger 28.0 2.6 RV North Cove 11.1 0.8 MV Northstar Challenger configured for survey operations. SupportFiles\CH_overview.jpg RV North Cove configured for survey operations. SupportFiles\NC_overview.jpg MBES Teledyne RESON SeaBat T50-R Positioning and Attitude System Applanix POS MV 320 v5 Positioning System Trimble NetR9 Conductivity, Temperature, and Depth Sensor AML Oceanographic AML-3 LGR Conductivity, Temperature, and Depth Sensor AML Oceanographic MVP30-350 Sound Speed System AML Oceanographic Micro SV-Xchange Crossline mileage in Survey H13662 totaled 4.2% of the mainscheme survey miles. Agreement between crosslines and mainscheme bathymetry was very good, with mean difference of 0.00m. Most discrepancies were found in rocky areas or on the edges of the crosslines in outer beam data. H13662 crossline tracks overlaid on a coverage surface. SupportFiles\H13662-XL.JPG Depth differences between H13662 mainscheme and crossline data. SupportFiles\H13662_MB_2m_MLLW_Main-H13662_MB_XL_2m_depth_delta.png ERS via VDATUM 0.0 0.104 MV Northstar Challenger s 1 RV North Cove s 1 The HydrOffice "QC Tools" application was used to calculate TVU QC, determined by a ratio of uncertainty to the allowable error per NOAA and IHO specifications. Two surfaces (1m resolution for depths under 20m and 2m resolution for depths 18m to 40m) were finalized in CARIS HIPS using the "uncertainty" option to select the combination of a priori and realtime uncertainty estimates as the surface TVU source. The surfaces passed the uncertainty check, with 99.5+% of nodes meeting the uncertainty standards. H13662 MBES 1m surface uncertainty standards. SupportFiles\H13662_MB_1m_MLLW_Final.QAv6.tvu_qc.png H13662 MBES 2m surface uncertainty standards. SupportFiles\H13662_MB_2m_MLLW_Final.QAv6.tvu_qc.png Survey H13662 junctions with 5 prior surveys and 1 contemporary survey. Survey H13662 junction map with junction area depth differences. SupportFiles\H13662-Junction.JPG H11076 5000 2004 Thomas Jefferson E Surveys H13662 and H11076 overlap at the northeastern corner of Survey H13662. Survey H11076 was a combination MB/VB survey; the MB area of overlap is approximately 0.151 sq km and VB overlap adds an additional 0.008 sq km. The area of overlap is primarily atop a shoal with two large sand wave crests, which migrated significantly in the years between these two surveys. The flatter portions of the shoal show good agreement between the two surveys and the mean difference is 0.02m, but there are large discrepancies relating to the position of the sand wave crests. The survey junction comparison from the HydrOffice "Compare Grids" tool calculated that 87% of comparison nodes were within the allowable error fraction. Depth differences between Surveys H13662 and H11076. SupportFiles\H13662_MB_2m_MLLW-H11076_MBVB_4m_MLLW_Combined_depth_delta.png H11920 10000 2008 Thomas Jefferson E The survey outline of H11920 provided in the figures does not match the available bathymetry for the survey. Junction analysis was performed for the available H11920 survey data, which shares a border of approximately 3.7km in length with Survey H13662. The junction area runs along the southeastern edge of Survey H13662. In the northern end of the overlap area, large sand waves dominate the bathymetry and their shifting over time is the source of most discrepancies between the two surveys. The mean depth difference between the two surveys was 0.11m with most discrepancies found in the northern sand waves or over rocky areas. The survey junction comparison from the HydrOffice "Compare Grids" tool calculated that 92% of comparison nodes were within the allowable error fraction. Depth differences between Surveys H13662 and H11920. SupportFiles\H13662_MB_2m_MLLW-H11920_MB_VR_MLLW_3m_depth_delta.png H11921 10000 2008 Thomas Jefferson E The shared border between Surveys H13662 and H11921 is approximately 12.5km long and runs along a portion of the northern edge of Survey H13662. The eastern end of the overlap area is dominated by patterns of small sand waves interspersed with larger crests, and the western end is primarily covering rocky areas. The mean depth difference between the two surveys was 0.00m with most discrepancies found atop sand waves or rocks. The survey junction comparison from the HydrOffice "Compare Grids" tool calculated that 99% of comparison nodes were within the allowable error fraction. Depth differences between Surveys H13662 and H11921. SupportFiles\H13662_MB_2m_MLLW-H11921_MB_2m_MLLW_combined_depth_delta.png H11922 10000 2008 Thomas Jefferson SE The shared border between Surveys H13662 and H11922 is approximately 23.4km long and runs along much of the southern edge of Survey H13662. The mean depth difference between the two surveys was 0.00m with most discrepancies found in the center of the overlap area on a section with sloped bathymetry, or in outer beam data. The survey junction comparison from the HydrOffice "Compare Grids" tool calculated that 99.5+% of comparison nodes were within the allowable error fraction. Depth differences between Surveys H13662 and H11922. SupportFiles\H13662_MB_2m_MLLW-H11922_MB_2m_MLLW_1of1_depth_delta.png H11995 10000 2008 Thomas Jefferson S The shared border between Surveys H13662 and H11995 is approximately 5.4km long and runs along the western edge of Survey H13662. The mean depth difference between the two surveys was 0.08m with most discrepancies found atop rocks in rocky areas, or in outer beam data. The survey junction comparison from the HydrOffice "Compare Grids" tool calculated that 99.5+% of comparison nodes were within the allowable error fraction. Depth differences between Surveys H13662 and H11995. SupportFiles\H13662_MB_2m_MLLW-H11995_MB_2m_MLLW_1of1_depth_delta.png H13661 20000 2022 Ocean Surveys, Inc. NW The shared border between Surveys H13661 and H13662 is approximately 9.5m long and runs along a portion of the northern edge of Survey H13662. The mean depth difference between the two surveys was 0.06m with most discrepancies found in rocky areas or in outer beam data. The survey junction comparison from the HydrOffice "Compare Grids" tool calculated that 99.5+% of comparison nodes were within the allowable error fraction. Depth differences between Surveys H13661 and H13662. SupportFiles\H13661_MB_2m_MLLW-H13662_MB_2m_MLLW_depth_delta.png Sonar system quality control checks were conducted as detailed in the quality control section of the DAPR. None Exist There were no conditions or deficiencies that affected equipment operational effectiveness. Sound Speed Variation Sound speed variations were observed throughout the survey area, correlating to factors including the tide, weather, water depth, and bathymetric features, such as slopes or sand waves. In data processing, sound speed profiles that did not adequately reflect the surrounding water mass were identified and removed, edited, or replaced. Sound speed casts were primarily applied using the CARIS HIPS "Nearest in Distance within Time" method, therefore, removing a profile collected on a steep slope would allow deeper and shoaler casts on either side to be applied instead. Casts that were empirically found to represent a large water zone were added at additional locations within that zone to ensure proper corrections given the cast selection options available in the CARIS sound speed tools. Bathymetry, uncertainty, and standard deviation surfaces were used to direct editing and determine the accuracy of sound speed cast selection. MVP casts were taken at intervals of approximately 20 minutes on the MV Northstar Challenger. AML-3 casts were taken approximately every 1-2 hours on the RV North Cove. Hydrographers acquired more frequent sound speed profiles if high variability was noted in the surface sound speed from the AML Micro-X installed on the head of the transducer, or when the surface sound speed comparison threshold was exceeded (>2m/s change) between the profile reading at the draft of the transducer and the Micro-X. OSI submitted sound speed data in NetCDF format to the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) on February 10, 2023 via the SN2 tool. Sound speed casts in Survey H13662. SupportFiles\H13662-SVP.JPG This survey was conducted to achieve Complete Coverage with multibeam, as specified in HSSD 5.2.2.3, Option A. This calls for 100% bathymetric bottom coverage with multibeam sonars, and complete coverage multibeam developments of features. The survey methods used to meet coverage requirements did not deviate from those described in the DAPR. The HydrOffice "QC Tools" application was used to verify that the grid nodes met the density coverage requirements, with 99.5+% of the nodes meeting the requirement. H13662 MBES 1m surface data density statistics. SupportFiles\H13662_MB_1m_MLLW_Final.QAv6.density.png H13662 MBES 2m surface data density statistics. SupportFiles\H13662_MB_2m_MLLW_Final.QAv6.density.png All data reduction procedures conform to those detailed in the DAPR. All sounding systems were calibrated as detailed in the DAPR. All equipment and survey methods were used as detailed in the DAPR. Survey H13662 backscatter mosaic overlaid on a composite of RNCs. SupportFiles\H13662-Backscatter.JPG NOAA Profile Version 2022 H13662_MB_1m_MLLW_Final.csar CARIS Raster Surface (CUBE) 1 8.51 20.0 NOAA_1m Complete MBES H13662_MB_2m_MLLW_Final.csar CARIS Raster Surface (CUBE) 2 18.0 34.571 NOAA_2m Complete MBES H13662_MB_1m_MLLW.csar CARIS Raster Surface (CUBE) 1 8.51 34.567 NOAA_1m Complete MBES H13662_MB_2m_MLLW.csar CARIS Raster Surface (CUBE) 2 8.682 34.571 NOAA_2m Complete MBES H13662_MBAB_2m_400kHz_1of1.tif MB Backscatter Mosaic 2 N/A Processed Backscatter Additional information discussing the vertical or horizontal control for this survey can be found in the accompanying HVCR. Mean Lower Low Water ERS via VDATUM OPR-B315-KR-22_VDATUM_Coverage_100m_NAD83-MHW_geoid12b.csar OPR-B315-KR-22_VDATUM_Coverage_100m_NAD83-MLLW_geoid12b.csar North American Datum 1983 Projected UTM 19 Smart Base DARTMOUTH MADA U OF RI COOP URIL MANT NANTUCKET MANT FALMOUTH MAFA MAWR WRENTHAM MAWR RIVERHEAD NYRH PLYMOUTH MAPL NEW YORK WAAS 1 ZNY1 Ocean Surveys Sachuset (Second) Beach OSSB US4MA23M 80000 43 2022-02-02 2022-12-28 US5MA1CH 20000 1 2022-06-16 2022-06-16 US5MA1DG 10000 1 2022-08-30 2022-08-30 US5MA1DH 10000 1 2022-06-16 2022-06-16 US5MA20M 40000 27 2022-10-26 2022-10-26 US5MA25M 40000 31 2022-09-08 2022-09-08 US5MA29M 40000 16 2022-09-08 2022-09-08 No shoals or potentially hazardous features exist for this survey. No DTON reports were submitted for Survey H13662. Assigned charted features in Survey H13662 consisted of 32 rocks, 2 wrecks, and 5 obstructions. Both wrecks were surveyed near their charted positions, and 31 of the rocks were found and are adequately represented by the bathymetry grid. Of the 5 obstructions, 2 were disproved and 1 was charted in a rocky area and is portrayed in the bathymetry grid. The remaining 2 were area obstructions, both of which were found to contain a single point obstruction that did not merit an area feature. The point feature for 1 of these is included as a new feature; the other was located outside the survey limits and is addressed in the adjacent Survey H13661. There was 1 uncharted obstruction found within Survey H13662. No channels exist within the survey limits. Survey H13662 has 3 charted ATONS, all of which were found to be present and watching properly. No Maritime Boundary Points were assigned for this survey. The 7 bottom samples in Survey H13662 were primarily sand (6 samples) with 1 sample containing gravel as its main constituent. No overhead features exist for this survey. No submarine features exist for this survey. No platforms exist for this survey. A seasonal ferry between North Kingstown, RI and Martha's Vineyard, MA passes through Survey H13662. No ferry terminals are within the survey limits. Ferry routes were not investigated by the field crew. No abnormal seafloor or environmental conditions exist for this survey. No present or planned construction or dredging exist within the survey limits. No new surveys or further investigations are recommended for this area. No new ENC scales are recommended for this area. 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. All 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 Specifications and Deliverables, 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. John R. Bean Chief of Party 2023-02-23 David T. Somers Data Processing Manager 2023-02-23