OPR-K371-TJ-23 Approaches to Galveston Galveston, Texas NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson (S222) H13704 1 Galveston Traffic Lanes and East Entrance Anchorage Texas United States 40000 2023 Matthew Jaskoski, CAPT/NOAA Navigable Area 2023-02-09 2023-05-24 2023-06-29 Multibeam Echo Sounder Multibeam Echo Sounder Backscatter Side Scan Sonar 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 15N, 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 H13704, located in Galveston, Texas within the sublocality of the Galveston Entrance Traffic Separation Scheme was conducted in accordance with coverage requirements set forth in the Project Instructions (PIs) OPR-K371-TJ-2 (Figure 1). 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. 29.30722575 94.62790616666666 29.15860275 94.40840611111112 H13704 area surveyed within the assigned survey limits outline over ENCs US4TX52M and US5TX53M file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13704/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/A.1_Survey_Limits.png Survey limits were acquired in accordance with the requirements in the Project Instructions and the 2022 Hydrographic Survey Specifications and Deliverables (HSSD). 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. All waters in survey area Complete Coverage (Refer to HSSD Section 5.2.2.3) Survey coverage was acquired in accordance with the 2022 HSSD. Complete coverage requirements were met with 100% SSS with concurrent MBES (Figures 2 and 3). The eastern fairway anchorage was not surveyed due to the persistent density of anchored vessels. Ten holidays exist in the coverage achieved for H13704 sheet limits (Figure 4). Three are due to close proximity to navigation aids. Two on the western side are covered by contemporary survey H13703. Remaining holidays are gaps in SSS/MB and not covered due to operational time constraints. MBES Coverage file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13704/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/A.4_MBES_Coverage.png SSS Coverage file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13704/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/A.4_SSS_Coverage.png Holidays found in H13704 SSS coverage. The featured one is located near the northern most point of the surface within the sheet limits. file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13704/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/A.4_Holidays.png S222 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 588.68 0.0 6.89 0.0 2903 0.0 3.49 0.0 0.0 0.0 30.2 0.0 15.74 0.0 0.0 3.49 0.0 0.0 0.0 618.88 0.0 22.63 0.0 3.66 0 0 0 0 39.24 2023-05-24 2023-05-25 2023-05-26 2023-05-27 2023-06-06 2023-06-09 2023-06-29 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/H13704/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/B.1_S222.jpg Thomas Jefferson Launch 2903 file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13704/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/B.1_2903.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 Conductivity, Temperature, and Depth Sensor AML Oceanographic MVP-X Conductivity, Temperature, and Depth Sensor AML Oceanographic MVP200 Sound Speed System Valeport Thru-Hull SVS Sound Speed System Teledyne RESON SVP 70 S222 and 2903 collected 22.63 linear nautical miles of MBES crosslines, or 3.63% of mainscheme MBES data. The crosslines acquired represent good spatial and depth diversity for this survey area (Figure 7). A single resolution (SR) 1m Combined Uncertainty and Bathymetry (CUBE) surface of mainscheme data and a SR 1m CUBE surface of crossline data were differenced - the resulting mean was 0.06 m with a standard deviation of 0.06 m (Figure 8). Greater than 99.5% of nodes are compliant with fraction of allowable error standards (Figure 9). Visual inspection of the difference surface indicated no systematic issues. H13704 crossline depth surface in color, overlaid onto mainscheme survey data shown in greyscale. file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13704/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/B.2.1_XL_Overview.png H13704 crossline/mainscheme comparison statistics file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13704/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/B.2.1_XL_DepthStats.png H13704 crossline fraction of allowable error statistics file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13704/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/B.2.1_XL_FracAllowErr.png ERS via VDATUM 0.0 0.12 S222 4 4 N/A 0.2 2903 4 N/A N/A 0.2 The bathymetric surface's uncertainty layer is compliant with 2022 HSSD uncertainty standards. The graph indicates "More than 95% of all grid nodes pass" (Figure 10). H13704 uncertainty standards file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13704/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/B.2.2_DataUncertainty.png Survey H13704 junctions with contemporary surveys H13703 and H13705 within the OPR-K371-TJ-23 project (Figure 11). Information regarding junction analysis with H13703 can be found below. H13704 also junctions with historical survey H13090. Overview of contemporary survey H13704 and it's junction surveys. file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13704/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/B.2.3_Junction_Overview.png H13705 40000 2023 Thomas Jefferson S Refer to the Descriptive Report for H13705 for information on the results of the junction analysis. H13703 40000 2023 Thomas Jefferson W The western edge of H13704 junctions with H13703 (Figure 12). A difference surface comparison using 1m SR CUBE surfaces from each survey was completed. The mean difference between bathymetric surface nodes was 0.03m with a standard deviation of 0.08m (Figure 13). Statistics and visual inspection indicate that surveys H13704 and H13703 are in general agreement (Figure 14). Fraction of allowable error surface difference comparison in color between H13704, in pink rose, and H13703, in mint blue with a close up view. file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13704/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/B.2.3_Junction_UpClose_H13704_to_H13703.png H13704 and H13703 surface difference comparison statistics file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13704/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/B.2.3_Junction_DiffStats_H13704_to_H13703.png H13704 and H13703 fraction of allowable error statistics file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13704/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/B.2.3_Junction_FracAllowErrStats_H13704_to_H13703.png H13090 10000 2017 Oceaneering N The northern edge of H13704 junctions with H13090 (Figure 15). A difference surface comparison using 1m SR CUBE surfaces from each survey was completed. The mean difference between bathymetric surface nodes was 0.09m with a standard deviation of 0.13m (Figure 16). Statistics and visual inspection indicate that surveys H13704 and H13090 are in general agreement (Figure 17). Fraction of allowable error surface difference comparison in color between H13090, in pink rose, and H13704, in mint blue with a close up view. file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13704/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/B.2.3_Junction_UpClose_H13704_to_H13090.png H13704 and H13090 surface difference comparison statistics. file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13704/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/B.2.3_Junction_DiffStats_H13704_to_H13090.png H13704 and H13090 fraction of allowable error statistics file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13704/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/B.2.3_Junction_FracAllowErrStats_H13704_to_H13090.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. Sound velocity measurements were collected using either the MVP-200 or SeaBird Seacat 19+ V2 CTD. Casts were taken at the start of each acquisition day and at a minimum of every four hours. Cast frequency was increased in areas where a change in surface sound speed greater than 2 m/s were observed. All sound speed methods were used as detailed in the DAPR. A total of 73 sound velocity profiles were taken within the survey area of H13704 and display good spatial variety (Figure 18). One cast was taken outside of the sheet limits and displays a profile representative of the area. The cast was approximately 1934m from the southern most point and was applied to 18 lines from Julian Day 180. 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. H13704 cast locations shown in yellow file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13704/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/B.2.7_Cast_Locations.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, a 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” artifact 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 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 -0.9° instead of +0.9°. 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 files of 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 package (Figures 19 and 20). 300kHz backscatter mosaic from data acquired by S222 file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13704/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/B.4_S222_Backscatter.png 300kHz backscatter mosaic from data acquired by 2903 file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13704/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/B.4_2903_Backscatter.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. H13704_MB_1m_MLLW CARIS Raster Surface (CUBE) 1 13.2 17.7 NOAA_1m Complete MBES H13704_MB_1m_MLLW_Final CARIS Raster Surface (CUBE) 1 11.7 17.7 NOAA_1m Complete MBES H13704_MBAB_2m_S222_300kHz_1of2 MB Backscatter Mosaic 2 N/A Complete MBES H13704_MBAB_2m_2903_300kHz_2of2 MB Backscatter Mosaic 2 N/A Complete MBES H13704_SSSAB_1m_455kHz_1of3 SSS Mosaic 1 N/A 100% SSS H13704_SSSAB_1m_600kHz_2of3 SSS Mosaic 1 N/A 100% SSS H13704_SSSAB_1m_600kHz_3of3 SSS Mosaic 1 N/A 200% SSS Complete coverage requirements were met by 100% SSS with concurrent MBES as specified under section 5.2.2.2 of the HSSD. The MBES surface meets density standards specified in the 2022 HSSD with more than 99.5% of nodes in compliance (Figure 21). After multiple rounds of surface cleaning there are fliers that remain which were flagged by NOAA's Pydro22 Flier Finder. There are two fliers on the final surface and one flier on the parent surface. The hydrographer has reviewed the flagged grid nodes and considers them to be accurate representations on the sea floor. These grid nodes have been retained in the delivered surfaces. 200% SSS coverage was also used to disprove some assigned features. The 200% SSS mosaics are included in the final submission package. H13704 Data Density Standards file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13704/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/B.5_Data_Density.png No Horizontal and Vertical Control Report (HVCR) is required for this survey. Mean Lower Low Water ERS via VDATUM OPR-K371-TJ-23_NAD83_VDatum_MLLW_Galveston All soundings submitted for H13704 are reduced to MLLW using VDatum techniques as outlined in the DAPR. North American Datum 1983 (2011) Projected UTM 15 RTX 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 H13704 MBES data from vessels S222 and HSL 2903. The Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) was used for real-time horizontal control during data acquisition on vessels S222 and HSL 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 investigations and acquired bathymetric splits over soundings shallower than surveyed depths by 1.0 meter or greater since natural dangers likely do not exist based on the surrounding bottom topography. US5TX53M 25000 67 2022-04-26 2022-11-15 US4TX52M 80000 36 2022-07-12 2022-09-14 Two Danger to Navigation (DTON) Reports were submitted during the course of field operations on H13704. One is for a new obstruction found in the Traffic Separation Scheme Outbound Lane and one is for exposed pipeline found southeast of the Traffic Separation Scheme Inbound Lane. A record of DTON communications can be found in DR Appendix II. A total of 41 features were assigned to be investigated, of which 21 were not investigated. Those that were not investigated were within the unsurveyed East Anchorage area. Based on H13704 data, six were recommended for deletion, and 13 were recommended for retention. Reference the Final Feature File (FFF) included with the submission of this project for further information. Eleven new features are included in the FFF and are recommended for charting. Channels exist in the Traffic Separation Scheme. They are located on the northern end going into the Galveston Bay Entrance. Survey depths were compared with charted depths with no discrepancies found. Aids to navigation (ATONs) exist for this survey, but were not investigated. No Maritime Boundary Points were assigned for this survey. Bottom samples were assigned for this survey, but were not acquired as all bottom samples were located in the East Anchorage area that was not surveyed. No overhead features exist for this survey. A total of 19 pipelines were assigned to be investigated. Of these, six were not investigated as they were in the East Anchorage area that was not surveyed. The other thirteen were investigated. Two of the thirteen were found to be exposed pipelines and reported to Bureau of Safety and Environment (BSEE) in accordance with the 2022 HSSD. Reference the Final Feature File (FFF) and Survey Correspondence documents for more information. Platforms exist for this survey, but were not investigated since they were outside the extents of the surveyed area. 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, CAPT/NOAA Chief of Party 2023-10-24 Sydney M. Catoire, LT/NOAA Operations Officer 2023-10-24 Erin K. Cziraki Chief Survey Technician 2023-10-24 Alessandra M. DiTommaso Assistant Survey Technician 2023-10-24