Design of a Marine Autonomous Surface Vehicle for Geological and Geophysical Surveys

Abstract

Geological and geophysical surveys, which are the basis for engineering studies on marine structures, pipelines, harbours and marinas, both in offshore and in coastal areas, are customarily carried out using fully equipped research vessels or small craft with appropriate equipment related to this work, and with intensive human labour. This traditional method is very costly, requires extra manpower and equipment and increases the risk to life and property, as well as being dependent on ephemeral weather conditions. A prototype unmanned surface vehicle named JEO-IDA (Marine Autonomous Surface Vehicle) was produced by our team within the scope of a project, which will enable real-time monitoring of the data that are obtained by a side scanning sonar and a single beam echosounder installed on the vehicle for geological and geophysical surveys, from a land-based station. The result of this study is the prototype platform of whose mission is to investigate three-dimensional geological and morphological structures of the seabed with high-resolution and to prepare their maps as well as carrying out coastal and offshore surveys in construction and operation phases. In the scope of this research, studies and hull form selection in the design of the unmanned autonomous surface vehicle are discussed in detail.