OPR-K371-TJ-23 Approaches to Galveston Galveston, Texas NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson (S222) H13709 7 20 NM South of High Island Texas United States 40000 2023 Matthew Jaskoski, CDR/NOAA Navigable Area 2023-02-09 2023-03-22 2023-06-06 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 H13709, located in Galveston, Texas within 20 NM South of High Island was conducted in accordance with coverage requirements set forth in the project instruction (PIs) OPR-K371-TJ-23. 29.34811388888889 94.3168861111111 29.10591666666667 94.01352222222222 H13709 survey area outlined in cloud grey, plotted over ENC US3GC02M. file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13709/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/A.1_Survey_Limits.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. H13709 data meet complete coverage requirements, as required by the 2022 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 (Figures 2 and 3). One holiday exists within sheet H13709 coverage centered on coordinates 29° 19' 59.54" N, 094° 03' 31.64" W (Figure 4). This holiday is outside of sheet limits and is covered by contemporary survey H13708, also within the OPR-K371-TJ-23 project. H13709 multibeam coverage outlined in butternut. file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13709/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/A.4_MBES_Coverage.png H13709 SSS coverage outlined in grass green. file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13709/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/A.4_SSS_Coverage.png Holiday found in H13709 coverage, in raspberry, outside of sheet limits file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13709/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/A.4_Holiday.png S222 0.0 21.97 0.0 0.0 0.0 1286.31 0.0 65.31 0.0 2903 0.0 4.29 0.0 0.0 0.0 10.93 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 26.26 0.0 0.0 0.0 1297.23 0.0 65.31 0.0 4.93 6 0 0 0 79.22 2023-03-22 2023-03-23 2023-03-24 2023-03-25 2023-03-26 2023-03-27 2023-03-28 2023-03-29 2023-03-31 2023-05-13 2023-05-14 2023-05-15 2023-05-16 2023-06-06 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/H13709/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/B.1_S222.jpg Thomas Jefferson Launch 2903 file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13709/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/B.1_2903.jpg MBES Kongsberg Maritime EM 2040 MBES Backscatter Kongsberg Maritime EM 2040 SSS EdgeTech 4200 SSS Klein Marine Systems System 5000 Positioning and Attitude System Applanix POS MV 320 v5 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 collected 65.31 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 7). A Single Resolution (SR) 1m Combined Uncertainty and Bathymetry 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 8). 100% of nodes pass fraction of allowable error standard (Figure 9). Visual inspection of the difference surface indicated no systematic issues. Overview of H13709 crossline distribution by geography and depth, shown in color, overlaid on mainscheme data shown in greyscale. file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13709/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/B.2.1_XL_Overview.png H13709 crossline/mainscheme comparison statistics. file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13709/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/B.2.1_XL_DepthStats.png H13709 crossline fraction of allowable error statistics. file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13709/01_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. Over 99.5% of all nodes pass uncertainty standards (Figure 10). H13709 uncertainty standards. file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13709/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/B.2.2_DataUncertainty.png Survey H13709 junctions with contemporary surveys H13706, H13707, and H13708 within the OPR-K371-TJ-23 project (Figure 11). Information regarding junction analysis with H13707 can be found below. Reference the Descriptive Reports for H13706 and H13708 for more information regarding the junction analyses with each sheet, respectively. Overview of contemporary surveys H13706, in lavender, H13707, in apple red, and H13708, in turquoise, which junction with H13709, in peach. file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13709/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/B.2.3_Junction_Overview.png H13706 40000 2023 NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson E Refer to the Descriptive Report for H13706 for information on the results of the junction analysis. H13707 40000 2023 NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson SE The south eastern edge of H13709 junctions with sheet H13707 (Figure 12). A 1m SR CUBE surface of H13709 data and a 1m SR CUBE surface of H13707 were differenced. The mean difference between bathymetric surface nodes was -0.01m with a standard deviation of 0.04m (Figure 13). Statistics and visual inspection indicate that surveys H13709 and H13707 are in general agreement (Figure 14). Fraction of allowable error surface difference comparison in color between H13709, in bubblegum, and H13707, in cucumber, with a representative close up. file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13709/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/B.2.3_Junction_CloseUp.png H13709 and H13707 surface difference comparison statistics. file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13709/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/B.2.3_Junction_DiffStats.png H13709 and H13707 fraction of allowable error statistics. file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13709/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/B.2.3_Junction_FracAllowErrStats.png H13708 40000 2023 NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson NE Refer to the Descriptive Report for H13708 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 was observed. All sound speed methods were used as detailed in the DAPR. A total of 193 sound speed profiles were collected within the survey area of H13709 and display good spatial diversity. Seven of these casts were located outside of the sheet limits, not more than 200m away, and display profiles representative of the area (Figure 15). 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. H13709 cast locations shown in pomegranate. file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13709/01_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 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 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 (Figures 16 and 17). After multiple attempts, one line from the data acquired by S222 did not fully process, resulting in a holiday in the backscatter mosaic (Figure 18). 300kHz backscatter mosaic from data acquired by S222. file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13709/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/B.4_Backscatter_S222.jpg 300kHz backscatter mosaic from data acquired by 2903. file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13709/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/B.4_Backscatter_2903.jpg Holiday in the backscatter mosaic, outlined in blush, overlaid on the H13709 MBES coverage. file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13709/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/B.4_Backscatter_Holiday.jpg NOAA Profile Version 2023 H13709_MB_1m_MLLW CARIS Raster Surface (CUBE) 1 9.47 16.94 NOAA_1m Complete MBES H13709_MB_1m_MLLW_Final CARIS Raster Surface (CUBE) 1 9.22 16.94 NOAA_1m Complete MBES H13709_MBAB_2m_S222_300kHz_1of2 MB Backscatter Mosaic 2 N/A MBES Backscatter H13709_MBAB_2m_2903_300kHz_2of2 MB Backscatter Mosaic 2 N/A MBES Backscatter H13709_SSSAB_1m_455kHz_1of3 SSS Mosaic 1 N/A 100% SSS H13709_SSSAB_1m_455kHz_2of3 SSS Mosaic 1 N/A 200% SSS H13709_SSSAB_1m_600kHz_3of3 SSS Mosaic 1 N/A 200% SSS Complete Coverage requirements were met by 100% side scan sonar coverage with concurrent multibeam bathymetry collected along with complete coverage multibeam developments as specified under section 5.2.2.3 of the HSSD 2022. Multibeam bathymetry meets data density specifications per the 2022 HSSD (Figure 19). Throughout sheet H13709, 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 the 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. H13709 data density standards. file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13709/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/B.5_DataDensity.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 H13709 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 H13709 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 to soundings shallower than surveyed depths by 0.75 meters 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 2022-09-14 US4TX71M 80000 42 2022-07-12 2022-08-02 No shoals or potentially hazardous features exist for this survey. A total of 56 features were assigned for investigation. Based on the H13709 data, 10 were recommended for deletion and 46 were recommended for retention. Reference the Final Feature File included with the submission of this project for further information. Four 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. No Maritime Boundary Points were assigned for this survey. Six bottom sample locations were assigned for investigation (Figure 20). Details regarding bottom sample attribution can be found in the Final Feature File. Overview of locations of bottom samples collected on H13709 shown as canary yellow targets overlayed on the combined side scan sonar mosaics. file:///H:/OPR-K371-TJ-23/Surveys/H13709/01_HDR/Reports/Descriptive_Report/SupportFiles/D.2.3_BottomSample_Locations.png No overhead features exist for this survey. A total of 46 charted submarine pipelines and one uncharted pipeline 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 ten offshore platforms were located within the survey limits of H13709. None of the offshore platforms were observed and all have been recommended to be deleted. Reference the Final Feature File and Survey Correspondence documents 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, CDR/NOAA Chief of Party 2023-10-01 Sydney M. Catoire, LT/NOAA Field Operations Officer 2023-10-01 Erin K. Cziraki Chief Survey Technician 2023-10-01 Sarah G. Thompson Sheet Manager 2023-10-01