OPR-K371-TJ-23 Approaches to Galveston Galveston, Texas NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson (S222) H13706 4 South Sabine Bank Louisiana Texas United States 40000 2023 Matthew Jaskoski, CAPT/NOAA Navigable Area 2023-02-09 2023-03-30 2023-06-27 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 H13706, located in both Texas and Louisiana within South Sabine Bank was conducted in accordance with coverage requirements set forth in the project instructions (PI) OPR-K371-TJ-23. 29.44354166666667 94.04413888888888 29.219569444444442 93.70072222222223 H13706 survey area plotted over US3GC02M file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13706/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/a.1_Survey_limits.PNG Survey data was 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. 1Texas 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. H13706 data meets complete coverage requirements as specified by the 2022 Hydrographic Survey Specifications and Deliverables (HSSD) with multibeam echosounder (MBES) coverage combined with 100% side scan sonar (SSS). 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 was acquired in accordance with the 2022 HSSD. Complete coverage requirements were met with 100% SSS with concurrent MBES (Figure 2 and 3). Coverage was not acquired to the sheet limits at the northeastern edge due to the active charted anchorage. Vessel traffic prevented the ship from acquiring data within the area. (Figure 4). Two holidays exist within sheet H13706. One can be found in the center of the sheet, the approximate coordinates being 29° 21'33.606" N and 093° 50'54.878" (Figure 5),. The second can be found in the northeastern corner of the sheet, the approximate coordinates being 29° 24'23.011" N and 093° 43' 16.021" (Figure 6). Neither holiday was acquired due to operational time constraints and are not believed to be hazardous to navigation. H13706 mulitibeam coverage with sheet limits shown in violet. file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13706/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/A.4_MBES_Coverage.PNG H13706 SSS coverage with sheet limits shown in violet. file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13706/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/A.4_SSS_Coverage.PNG H13706 gap in coverage indicated by the black rectangle. file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13706/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/A.4_Gap_in_coverage.PNG H13706 first holiday, indicated by the blue rectangle file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13706/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/A.4_Holiday.png H13706 second holiday indicated by the red rectangle. file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13706/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/A.4_Holiday_2.PNG S222 0.0 12.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 1225.33 0.0 72.59 0.0 2903 0.0 24.73 0.0 0.0 0.0 249.68 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 37.23 0.0 0.0 0.0 1475.01 0.0 72.59 0.0 4.92 7 0 0 0 86.92 2023-03-30 2023-05-28 2023-05-29 2023-05-30 2023-05-31 2023-06-01 2023-06-02 2023-06-03 2023-06-06 2023-06-07 2023-06-08 2023-06-09 2023-06-26 2023-06-27 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/H13706/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/B.1_S222.jpg Thomas Jefferson Launch 2903 file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13706/01_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 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 S222 collected 72.59 linear nautical miles of MBES crosslines or 4.93% of mainscheme MBES data. The crosslines acquired represent good spatial and depth diversity for this survey area (Figure 9). A Single Resolution (SR) 1m Combined Uncertainty and Bathymetric Estimator (CUBE) surface of mainscheme data and a SR 1m CUBE surface of crossline data were differenced- the resulting mean was 0.00 m with a standard deviation of 0.05 m (Figure 10) and 99.5% of nodes are compliant with fraction of allowable error standards (Figure 11). Visual inspection of the difference surface indicated no systematic issues. Overview of H13706 crossline distribution by geography and depth, shown in color, overlaid on mainscheme data shown in greyscale. file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13706/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/B.2.1_XL_Overview.PNG H13706 crossline/mainscheme comparison statistics. file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13706/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/B.2.1_XL_DepthStats.PNG H13706 crossline fraction of allowable error statistics. file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13706/01_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 HSSD 2022 uncertainty standards. Over 99.5% of all nodes pass uncertainty standards (Figure 12). H13706 Uncertainty Standards file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13706/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/B.2_Uncertainty%20Standards.png Survey H13706 junctions with contemporary surveys H13710, H13708, H13709 and H13707 within the OPR-K371-TJ-23 project (Figure 13). Survey H13706 also junctions with historical survey H13045. Information regarding junction analysis with H13045, H13708 and H13709 can be found below. Reference the Descriptive Reports for H13707 and H13710 for more information regarding the junction analysis with each sheet, respectively. Overview of contemporary surveys H13708 in purple, H13709 in yellow, H13707 in blue, H13710 in red, and historic survey H13045 in grey which junction H13706 in pink. file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13706/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/B.2.3_Junction_Overview.png H13708 40000 2023 Thomas Jefferson N The northern edge of H13706 junctions with sheet H13708 (Figure 14). A 1m SR CUBE surface of H13706 data and a 1m SR CUBE surface of H13708 were differenced. The mean difference between bathymetric surface node was 0.05m with a standard deviation of 0.05m (Figure 15). 100% of compared grid nodes were compliant with fraction of allowable error standards (Figure 16). Statistics and visual inspection indicate that surveys H13706 and H13708 are in general agreement. Fraction of allowable error surface difference comparison in color between H13706 in red and H13708 in blue, with a representative close up. file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13706/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/B.2.3_H13708_Junction_Closeup_2.PNG H13706 and H13708 surface difference comparison statistics. file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13706/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/B.2.3_H13708__Junction_DiffStats_2.PNG H13706 and H13708 fraction of allowable error statistics. file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13706/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/B.2.3_H13708_FracAllowErrStats_2.PNG H13709 40000 2023 Thomas Jefferson W The western edge of H13706 junctions with sheet H13709 (Figure 17). A 1m SR CUBE surface of H13709 data and a 1m SR CUBE surface of H13706 were differenced. The mean difference between bathymetric surface node was 0.01m with a standard deviation of 0.06m (Figure 18). 100% of compared grid nodes were compliant with fraction of allowable error standards (Figure 19). Statistics and visual inspection indicate that surveys H13709 and H13706 are in general agreement. Fraction of allowable error surface difference comparison in color between H13709 in green and H13706 in red with a representative close up. file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13706/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/B.2.3_H13709_Junction_CloseUp_2.PNG H13709 and H13706 surface difference comparison statistics. file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13706/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/B.2.3_H13709_Junction_DiffStats_2.PNG H13709 and H13706 fraction of allowable error statistics. file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13706/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/B.2.3_H13709_Junction_FracAllowErrStats_2.PNG H13045 40000 2018 Thomas Jefferson SW The southwestern edge of H13706 junctions with sheet H13045 (Figure 20). A 1m SR CUBE surface of H13045 data and a 1m SR CUBE surface of H13706 were differenced. The mean difference between bathymetric surface node was 0.13m with a standard deviation of 0.08m (Figure 21). 100% of compared grid nodes were compliant with fraction of allowable error standards (Figure 22). Statistics and visual inspection indicate that surveys H13706 and H13045 are in general agreement. Fraction of allowable error surface difference comparison in color between H13706 in pink and H13045 in grey, with a representative close up. file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13706/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/B.2.3_H13045_Junction_Closeup.PNG H13706 and H13045 surface comparison statistics. file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13706/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/B.2.3_H13045_Junction_Diffstats_2.PNG H13706 and H13045 fraction of allowable error statistics. file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13706/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/B.2.3_H13045_Junction_FracAllowERRStats_2.PNG H13710 40000 2023 Thomas Jefferson SE Refer to the Descriptive Report for H13710 for information on the results of the junction analysis. H13707 40000 2023 Thomas Jefferson SW Refer to the Descriptive Report for H13707 for information on the results of the junction analysis. 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 a Seabird Seacat 19+ V2 CTD and an MVP 200 system. Cast frequency was increased in areas where a change in surface sound speed greater than two meters per second were observed. All sound speed methods were used as detailed in the DAPR. A total of 71 sound speed profiles were collected within the survey area of H13706 and display good spatial diversity (Figure 23). Seven of these casts were located outside of the sheet limits, not more than 160m away, 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. H13706 cast locations shown in violet. file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13706/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/B.2.7_Cast_Locations.PNG All equipment and survey methods were used as detailed in the DAPR. 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 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. S222 300kHz multibeam acoustic backscatter at 2m resolution. file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13706/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/B.4_H13706_S222_Backscatter_2m.PNG HSL 2093's 300kHz multibeam acoustic backscatter at 2m resolution. file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13706/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/B.4_H13706_2903_Backscatter_2m.PNG NOAA Profile Version 2023 The following 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. H13706_MB_1m_MLLW CARIS Raster Surface (CUBE) 1 8.3 17.6 NOAA_1m Complete MBES H13706_MB_1m_MLLW_Final CARIS Raster Surface (CUBE) 1 8.1 17.6 NOAA_1m Complete MBES H13706_SSSAB_1m_455kHz_1of4 SSS Mosaic 1 N/A 100% SSS H13706_SSSAB_1m_600kHz_2of4 SSS Mosaic 1 N/A 100% SSS H13706_SSSAB_1m_455kHz_3of4 SSS Mosaic 1 N/A 200% SSS H13706_SSSAB_1m_600kHz_4of4 SSS Mosaic 1 N/A 200% SSS H3706_MBAB_2m_S222_300kHz_1of2 MB Backscatter Mosaic 2 N/A Complete MBES H13706_MBAB_2m_2903_300kHz_2of2 MB Backscatter Mosaic 2 N/A Complete MBES Complete coverage requirements were met by 100% SSS coverage with concurrent MBES as specified under section 5.2.2.2 of the 2022 HSSD. See Section A.4 for details regarding coverage methods and holidays in the coverage achieved for H13706. The MBES surface meets density standards specified in the 2022 HSSD with more than 99.5% of nodes in compliance (Figure 26). Also, after multiple rounds of surface cleaning, there are 6 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 H13706, 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. H13706 data density standards. file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13706/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/B.5%20Data%20Density.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 H13706 are reduced to MLLW using VDatum techniques as outlined in the DAPR. North American Datum 1983 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 H13706 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 used NOAA's Pydro22 CA Tools to compare the surveyed data to the largest scale ENC. In several areas, surveyed soundings shallower than surrounding charted soundings by more than the maximum allowable TVU exist. These surveyed soundings fall within their respective charted depth area and were not considered hazards to navigation. The entire survey is adequate to supersede previous data. See Section D.1.2 for more information regarding Sabine Bank. Additionally, 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 1.0 m or greater in areas where natural dangers likely do not exist based on the surrounding bottom topography. US4TX71M 80000 42 2022-07-12 2022-08-02 US3GC02M 250000 46 2022-10-19 2022-10-19 Part of Sabine Bank exists within the sheet limits of H13706. Portions of the shoal have shifted southwest, and surveyed soundings shallower than 9.1 meters were observed within the charted 9.1 to 18.2 meter depth area. These were not considered dangerous to navigation due to their close proximity (within 300 meters) to the charted 5.4 to 9.1 meter depth area. A total of 49 features were assigned for investigation. Based on the H13706 data, 16 were recommended for deletion and 33 were recommended for retention. Reference the Final Feature File included with the submission of this project for further information. Eight new features were identified and investigated. None of the features were considered dangerous to navigation. Reference the Final Feature File included with the submission of this project for further information. No channels exist within the survey limits. No Aids to navigation (ATONs) exist for this survey. A charted mooring buoy was not found during operations. Marine Chart Division was notified per the HSSD on August 4th, 2023. Reference Survey Correspondence documents for more information. No Maritime Boundary Points were assigned for this survey. Eight bottom sample locations were assigned for investigation (Figure 27). Due to operational constraints seven bottom samples were taken. Details regarding bottom sample attribution can be found in the Final Feature File. Overview of locations of bottom samples collected on H13706 shown as yellow targets overlayed on the sheets surface in grey. file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13706/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/D.2.3_BottomSample_Locations_2.PNG No overhead features exist for this survey. A total of 30 charted submarine pipelines and one uncharted pipelines were present within the survey area. Three pipelines were exposed and reported to BSEE in accordance with the HSSD 2022. Reference the Final Feature File and Survey Correspondence documents for more information. A total of 13 offshore platforms were located within the survey limits of H13706. All 12 offshore platforms were disproved during survey operations and are recommended for deletion. Reference the Final Feature File for more information. 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 2023-10-25 Sydney M. Catoire, LT/NOAA Field Operations Officer 2023-10-25 Erin K. Cziraki Chief Survey Technician 2023-10-25 Louis V. M. Castillo, ENS/NOAA Sheet Manager 2023-10-25