OPR-K371-TJ-23 Approaches to Galveston Galveston, TX NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson (S222) H13703 2 West Galveston Entrance Anchorage Texas United States 40000 2023 Matthew J. Jaskoski, CDR/NOAA Navigable Area 2023-02-09 2023-04-24 2023-06-29 Multibeam Echo Sounder Side Scan Sonar 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 16N, 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 Field Units) CC0-1.0 https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/ https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/legalcode These data were produced by NOAA and are in the public domain within the United States. NOAA waives any potential copyright and related rights in these data worldwide through the Creative Commons Zero 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication (CC0). NOAA Survey H13703, encompassing the West Galveston Entrance Anchorage, was conducted in accordance with coverage requirements set forth in the Project Instructions (PIs) OPR-K371-TJ-23. An updated Project Reference File (PRF) was provided with updated sheet limits for this survey following consultation with the Project Manager. Reference the Project Correspondence provided in the deliverables package for further information. 29.30605 94.76107 29.080531999999998 94.493215 Survey layout for H13703, plotted over ENC US3GC02M. Black outline represents the survey limits set forth by the modified PRF. Red box represents geographical extents of survey coverage. file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13703/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/A.1%20Survey%20Overview.png Survey data were acquired in accordance with the PIs and the 2022 Hydrographic Surveys Specifications and Deliverables (HSSD) (Figure 1). This hydrographic survey covers an area where safe maritime commerce is critical to to the regional economy and environment. In 2018, the Port of Houston supported $159.8 Billion in trade. The area around the Houston Shipping Channel is the nation's largest importer/exporter of petroleum products and supported 713,000 jobs directly or indirectly. [1] In 2018, the Port of Galveston supported $6.4 billion in trade and supported 28,000 jobs directly and indirectly. The Port of Galveston is also home to Texas’ main cruise ship terminal supporting over 250 cruise ship calls and approximately 2 million passengers. [2] This project covers approximately 880 square nautical miles between the Galveston Entrance and Sabine Bank Channels in an area which has not been surveyed since 1963. The current chart coverage shows numerous reported wrecks and obstructions with their positions reported to be approximate; these pose a risk to surface navigation. This survey will identify changes to the bathymetry and resolve position uncertainty in known hazards to navigation. Data from this project will provide contemporary surveys to update National Ocean Service nautical charts and products in an area critical to the nation's economy. Survey data from this project is intended to supersede all prior survey data in the common area. [1] Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, https://comptroller.texas.gov/economy/economic-data/ports/houston.php [ 2] https://comptroller.texas.gov/economy/economic-data/ports/galveston.php The entire survey is adequate to supersede previous data. Data acquired in H13703 meet 100% side scan sonar (SSS) coverage with concurrent multibeam echosounder (MBES) requirements for complete coverage, as specified in the 2022 HSSD. This includes crosslines (see Section B.2.1), NOAA allowable uncertainty (see Section B.2.2), and density requirements (see Section B.5.2). All waters in survey area Complete Coverage (Refer to HSSD Section 5.2.2.3) Survey coverage is in accordance with requirements listed in Table 2 and the 2022 HSSD. Complete coverage requirements were met with 100% SSS with concurrent MBES. 200% SSS coverage was used to re-acquire areas of unacceptable SSS data quality and to disprove some assigned features (Figure 2). Complete coverage MBES was used to fully develop a dredge spoil dumping ground to ensure accurate delineation of the 9.1m depth contour (Figure 3). Two holidays and one coverage gap exist within the coverage achieved for H13703. One holiday is centered at 29°10'49.83"N 094°31'16.78"W, is approximately 264m long and 127m wide, and was created due to the launch reaching the limit of safe navigation around an offshore platform (Figure 4). The second holiday and coverage gap are located in the vicinity of 29°13'32.70"N 094°34'13.21"W and were created by non-overlapping MBES and SSS swaths (Figure 5). SSS coverage achieved for H13703. 200% SSS coverage used for feature disprovals and re-acquisition of poor data quality outlined in yellow. file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13703/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/A.4%20200pct%20SSS%20Coverage.png Complete coverage MBES used to fully develop a dredge spoil area within H13703. file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13703/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/A.4%20100pct%20MBES%20Area.png Holiday in coverage achieved for H13703 surrounding offshore platform. file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13703/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/A.4%20Platform%20Holiday.png Holiday and coverage gap created by non-overlapping MBES and SSS swaths. file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13703/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/A.4%20Holiday%20and%20Gap.png S222 0.0 35.74 0.0 0.0 0.0 1234.13 0.0 70.92 0.0 2903 0.0 111.78 0.0 0.0 0.0 314.1 0.0 2.95 0.0 0.0 147.52 0.0 0.0 0.0 1548.22 0.0 73.87 0.0 4.36 7 0 0 0 96.06 2023-04-25 2023-04-28 2023-04-30 2023-05-03 2023-05-09 2023-05-10 2023-05-11 2023-05-12 2023-05-17 2023-05-18 2023-05-19 2023-05-22 2023-05-23 2023-05-24 2023-05-27 2023-06-04 2023-06-05 2023-06-06 2023-06-09 2023-06-29 Hydrographic survey data were acquired from April 25, 2023 until June 29, 2023. Bottom samples were collected on May 24 and 27, 2023. 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. S222 63.4 4.6 2903 8.5 1.2 NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson (S222) file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13703/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/B.1%20S222.jpg NOAA Hydrographic Survey Launch 2903 file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13703/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/B.1%202903.jpg MBES Kongsberg Maritime EM 2040 MBES Backscatter Kongsberg Maritime EM 2040 Positioning and Attitude System Applanix POS MV 320 v5 SSS Klein Marine Systems System 5000 SSS EdgeTech 4200 Conductivity, Temperature, and Depth Sensor Sea-Bird Scientific SBE 19plus V2 Sound Speed System Valeport Thru-Hull SVS Sound Speed System Teledyne RESON SVP 70 Conductivity, Temperature, and Depth Sensor AML Oceanographic MVP-X Conductivity, Temperature, and Depth Sensor AML Oceanographic MVP200 Refer to the DAPR for a complete description of systems and equipment used by S222 and 2093. S222 and 2903 collected 73.87 linear nautical miles of MBES crosslines, or 4.36% of mainscheme MBES data. The crosslines acquired represent good spatial and depth diversity for the survey area (Figure 8). A 1m single resolution (SR) Combined Uncertainty and Bathymetry Estimator (CUBE) surface of mainscheme data and a 1m SR CUBE surface of crossline data were differenced. The resulting mean was 0.02m with a standard deviation of 0.07m (Figure 9) and 100% of nodes are compliant with fraction of allowable error standards (Figure 10). Visual inspection of the difference surface indicated no systematic issues. H13703 crossline depth surface in color, overlaid onto mainscheme survey data shown in greyscale. file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13703/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/B.2.1%20Crossline%20Overview.jpg H13703 crossline and mainscheme comparison statistics file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13703/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/B.2.1%20Crossline%20Stats.png H13703 crossline comparison fractional allowable error node distribution file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13703/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/B.2.1%20Crossline%20Frac%20Error%20stats.png ERS via VDATUM 0.0 0.12 S222 4.0 4.0 0.2 2903 4.0 0.2 The bathymetric surface's uncertainty layer is compliant with 2022 HSSD uncertainty standards. Over 99.5% of all nodes pass uncertainty standards (Figure 11). H13703 uncertainty standards file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13703/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/B.2.2%20Uncertainty%20Stats.png Survey H13703 junctions with contemporary surveys H13704 and H13705 within the OPR-K371-TJ-23 project (Figure 12). The survey also junctions with historical surveys H13090 and H13091 (Figure 12). Refer to the Descriptive Report for H13704 for information on the results of the junction analysis. Overview of contemporary and historical surveys which junction with H13703. file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13703/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/B.2.3%20Junctions%20Overview.png H13704 40000 2023 Thomas Jefferson E Refer to the Descriptive Report for H13704 for information on the results of the junction analysis. H13705 40000 2023 Thomas Jefferson SE The southeastern edge of H13703 junctions with sheet H13705 (Figure 13). A 1m SR CUBE surface of H13703 data and a 1m SR CUBE surface of H13705 were differenced. The mean difference between bathymetric surface nodes was 0.01m with a standard deviation of 0.04m (Figure 14). Over 99.5% of compared grid nodes were compliant with fraction of allowable error standards (Figure 15). Statistics and visual inspection indicate that surveys H13703 and H13705 are in general agreement. Fraction of allowable error surface difference comparison in color between H13703 and H13705. file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13703/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/B.2.3%20H13090%20Frac%20Error%20Stats.png H13703 and H13705 surface difference comparison statistics. file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13703/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/B.2.3%20H13705%20Diff%20Stats.png H13703 and H13705 fraction of allowable error statistics. file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13703/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/B.2.3%20H13705%20Frac%20Error%20Stats.png H13090 10000 2017 Oceaneering N The northern edge of H13703 junctions with sheet H13090 (Figure 16). A 1m SR CUBE surface of H13703 data and a 50cm SR CUBE surface of H13090 were differenced. The mean difference between bathymetric surface nodes was 0.02m with a standard deviation of 0.12m (Figure 17). More than 99.5% of compared grid nodes were compliant with fraction of allowable error standards (Figure 18). Statistics and visual inspection indicate that surveys H13703 and H13090 are in general agreement. Fraction of allowable error surface difference comparison in color between H13703 and H13090. file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13703/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/B.2.3%20H13090%20Frac%20Error%20Surface.png H13703 and H13090 surface difference comparison statistics. file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13703/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/B.2.3%20H13090%20Diff%20Stats.png H13703 and H13090 fraction of allowable error statistics. file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13703/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/B.2.3%20H13090%20Frac%20Error%20Stats.png H13091 10000 2017 Oceaneering NW The northwestern edge of H13703 junctions with sheet H13091 (Figure 19). A 1m SR CUBE surface of H13703 data and a 1m SR CUBE surface of H13091 were differenced. The mean difference between bathymetric surface nodes was 0.07m with a standard deviation of 0.07m (Figure 20). 100% of compared grid nodes were compliant with fraction of allowable error standards (Figure 21). Statistics and visual inspection indicate that surveys H13703 and H13091 are in general agreement. Fraction of allowable error surface difference comparison in color between H13703 and H13091. file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13703/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/B.2.3%20H13091%20Frac%20Error%20Surface.png H13703 and H13091 surface difference comparison statistics. file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13703/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/B.2.3%20H13091%20Diff%20Stats.png H13703 and H13091 fraction of allowable error statistics. file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13703/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/B.2.3%20H13091%20Frac%20Error%20Stats.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. None Exist There were no other factors that affected corrections to soundings. Conductivity, temperature, and depth (CTD) casts were conducted at the start of acquisition each day and at a minimum of once every four hours during acquisition using an MVP 200 system and a Seabird Seacat 19+ V2. Cast frequency was increased in areas where a change in surface sound speed greater than two meters per second was observed. All sound speed methods were used as detailed in the DAPR. A total of 152 sound speed profiles were collected as part of acquisition of H13703 and display good spatial diversity (Figure 22). Eleven of these casts were located outside of the sheet limits and display profiles representative of the area. All sound speed profile data were concatenated into a master file for the sheet. MBES data were corrected by applying profiles nearest in distance in time (4 hours) using this master file. Overview of all sound velocity casts collected on H13703. Cast locations shown as blue targets overlaid on grey MBES tracklines. file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13703/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/B.2.7%20SVP%20Locations.png Complete coverage requirements were met by 100% SSS coverage with concurrent MBES as specified under section 5.2.2.3 of the 2022 HSSD. Hydrographic survey vessel Thomas Jefferson was outfitted with a Klein 5000 V2 SSS system and a Kongsberg EM2040 MBES system and was primarily used to acquire mainscheme coverage and crosslines. Vessel 2903 was outfitted with an Edgetech 4200 SSS system Kongsberg EM2040 MBES system and was used to acquire mainscheme coverage, crosslines, developments, and holidays. All data reduction procedures conform to those detailed in the DAPR. At the end of OPR-K371-TJ-23 acquisition, the field unit observed a “wobble” effect in the outer edges of the multibeam for TJ launch 2903. Systematic issues were not observed during Hydrographic Systems Readiness Review (HSRR) or throughout the project due to acquisition in shallow water. The “wobble” became apparent in depths greater than 20 meters. Hydrographic Systems Technology Branch (HSTB) used QPS’ Qimera Software to investigate the issue and computed a yaw misalignment of +2.2° with the wobble tool. It was further determined that the yaw value calculated during initial patch testing was entered in Applanix POS M/V as -1.1° instead of +1.1°. The field unit used Applanix POSPac Software to update the Z-component of the IMU with respect to reference point mounting angles to 1.1° to correct the misalignment. Then, the following steps were taken: 1. Re-ran GNSS-inertial processor 2. Re-exported SBET (with corrected offsets) 3. Imported the new SBET and RMS to affected TJ Launch 2903 data and overwrote position, height, and attitude (gyro, pitch, and roll) 4. Georeferenced all affected data 5. Created new surfaces Updated SBETs and RMS files are included in the product deliverables. Reference the Project Correspondence included in the submission package for a record of the correspondence with HSTB. Yaw Patch Value 2023-07-28 Incorrect yaw value entered in POS M/V following initial calibration. All equipment and survey methods were used as detailed in the DAPR. Raw MBES backscatter was logged as part of the .all file from the Kongsberg EM2040 systems. Backscatter was processed in QPS Fledermaus GeoCoder Toolbox (FMGT) software, and the exported geotiffs are included in the final processed data submission package (Figures 23 and 24). One line of MBES data from S222 could not be processed for backscatter for unknown reasons (line 0075_20230517_183810_S222_EM2040.all). 300kHz backscatter mosaic from data acquired by S222. file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13703/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/B.4%20S222%20Backscatter.png 300kHz backscatter mosaic from data acquired by 2903. file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13703/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/B.4%202903%20Backscatter.png NOAA Profile Version 2023 Feature Object Catalog NOAA Profile Version 2023 was used for all S-57 attribution in the Final Feature File (FFF). All other software were used as detailed in the DAPR. H13703_MB_1m_MLLW CARIS Raster Surface (CUBE) 1 7.06 18.81 NOAA_1m Complete MBES H13703_MB_1m_MLLW_Final CARIS Raster Surface (CUBE) 1 7.06 18.81 NOAA_1m Complete MBES H13703_MBAB_2m_S222_300kHz_1of2 MB Backscatter Mosaic 2 N/A MBES Backscatter H13703_MBAB_2m_2903_300kHz_2of2 MB Backscatter Mosaic 2 N/A MBES Backscatter H13703_SSSAB_1m_455kHz_1of4 SSS Mosaic 1 N/A 100% SSS H13703_SSSAB_1m_600kHz_2of4 SSS Mosaic 1 N/A 100% SSS H13703_SSSAB_1m_455kHz_3of4 SSS Mosaic 1 N/A 200% SSS H13703_SSSAB_1m_600kHz_4of4 SSS Mosaic 1 N/A 200% SSS Complete coverage requirements were met by 100% SSS coverage with concurrent MBES as specified under section 5.2.2.2 of the 2022 HSSD. Additionally, complete coverage MBES was used to fully develop an active dredge spoil dumping ground to determine the least depth and further define the 9.1m contour. See Section A.5 for details regarding coverage methods and holidays in the coverage achieved for H13703. The MBES surface meets density standards specified in the 2022 HSSD with more than 99.5% of nodes in compliance (Figure 25). Also, after multiple rounds of surface cleaning, there are eight fliers that remain as flagged by NOAA's Pydro22 Flier Finder. The hydrographer has reviewed the flagged grid nodes, considers them to be accurate representations of the sea floor, and has retained them in the delivered surfaces. Throughout sheet H13703, turbulence from the ship’s propeller and surface waves was observed in the SSS imagery due to a roll in Thomas Jefferson’s Klein 5000V2 towfish. Additionally, some areas in the sheet exhibited thermal stratification that resulted in refraction in the SSS imagery. In significantly obscured areas, Thomas Jefferson conducted 200% SSS splits to meet complete coverage requirements. While imagery artifacts are present outside of the 200% coverage, the data was determined to be of acceptable quality to discern contacts. The hydrographer is confident no significant features exist, since hard returns were visible in areas of significant prop wash and air bubbles. 200% SSS coverage was also used to disprove some assigned features. The 200% SSS mosaics are included in the final submission package. H13703 data density standards. file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13703/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/B.5.2%20Density%20Stats.png There is no requirement for an HVCR to be included with the submission of this survey. Mean Lower Low Water ERS via VDATUM OPR-K371-TJ-23_NAD83_VDatum_MLLW_Galveston All soundings submitted for H13703 are reduced to MLLW using VDATUM techniques as outlined in the DAPR. North American Datum 1983 Projected UTM 15 Trimble-RTX service was used with an Applanix POS MVv5 GNSS_INS system to obtain highly accurate ellipsoidally referenced position data to meet ERS specifications for H13703 MBES data from vessel S222s and 2903. The Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) was used for real-time horizontal control during data acquisition on vessels S222 and 2903. The field unit reviewed charted soundings between survey lines and identified soundings shallower than the adjacent surveyed depths by more than the maximum allowable TVU specified in the 2022 HSSD. To maintain acquisition efficiency, the hydrographer reduced the number of bathymetric splits to soundings shallower than surveyed depths by 0.75m or greater in areas where natural dangers likely do not exist based on the surrounding bottom topography. US3GC02M 250000 46 2022-10-19 2022-10-19 US4TX52M 80000 36 2022-07-12 2022-11-15 US5TX53M 25000 67 2022-04-26 2022-11-15 Two Danger to Navigation (DTON) Reports were submitted during the course of field operations on H13703. One was to update the 9.1m contour in the northern part of the sheet and the other was to report a dangerous obstruction. A record of DTON communications can be found in DR Appendix II. Thirty six previously charted features were assigned for investigation within the extents of H13703. Twenty features were recommended to be retained as charted and fifteen were recommended for deletion. The least depth for the charted fish haven was updated following complete coverage MBES development of the structure (Figure 26). Reference the Final Feature File (FFF) for information on the results of the feature investigations. MBES coverage and SSS imagery over charted fish haven in H13703 to update least depth. file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13703/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/D.1.3%20Fish%20Haven%20Detail.png Eleven new features are included in the FFF and are recommended for charting. No channels exist within the survey limits. One charted Aid to Navigation (ATON) was found to be missing during survey operations. A report was filed with the U.S. Coast Guard on June 6, 2023 and a record of communication can be found in DR Appendix II. Reference the Final Feature File for additional information. No Maritime Boundary Points were assigned for this survey. Six bottom sample locations were assigned for investigation as part of the project instructions. After reviewing the side scan backscatter mosaic, the field unit relocated five of the samples and added an additional location in order to best represent the diversity of apparent bottom types (Figures 27 and 28). Bottom samples assigned for investigation and locations where samples were acquired for survey H13703 overlaid on side scan backscatter mosaic. file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13703/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/D.2.3%20Bottom%20Sample%20Locations.jpg Example of a bottom sample acquired for survey H13703. file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13703/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/D.2.3%20Example%20bottom%20sample.JPG No overhead features exist for this survey. Seventeen charted pipelines exist within H13703. None were observed in either the SSS or the MBES coverage and all are recommended to be retained as charted. Seven charted platforms exist within H13703. Three were observed in their charted locations. Four were disproved during survey operations and are recommended for deletion. No ferry routes or terminals exist for this survey. 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. Matthew J. Jaskoski, CDR/NOAA Chief of Party 2023-09-29 Sydney M. Catoire, LT/NOAA Operations Officer 2023-09-29 Erin K. Cziraki Chief Survey Technician 2023-09-29