Woolpert Maps 3,000 Square Kilometers of Florida Seafloor With 29-Foot Uncrewed Vessel
Updated
Updated · Geo Week News · Jul 8
Woolpert Maps 3,000 Square Kilometers of Florida Seafloor With 29-Foot Uncrewed Vessel
1 articles · Updated · Geo Week News · Jul 8
Summary
Woolpert said its uncrewed MC29 survey vessel mapped more than 3,000 square kilometers of Florida seafloor for the state’s high-resolution mapping initiative, with all datasets meeting or exceeding IHO Order 1a standards.
The 29-foot diesel vessel ran 24/7 for more than 20 days without returning to port, collecting bathymetric data as far as 100 kilometers offshore and in waters up to 220 meters deep.
That nonstop output was matched by Woolpert’s ASPEN cloud platform, which automatically processed incoming sonar and navigation data and let Florida regulators view results in near real time through a WebGIS portal.
The surveys identified blue holes, coral reefs, underwater sand deposits and more than a dozen shipwrecks, while the same workflow also helped clear Tampa Bay’s shipping channel within hours after Hurricane Milton in 2024.
Florida launched the broader initiative because much of its coastal seafloor lacked modern mapping; the resulting digital elevation model is expected to support navigation, beach restoration and storm resilience, with an estimated $28 million annual return.
With petabytes of new seafloor data, how will AI help predict coastal changes and uncover hidden ocean resources?
Florida's project shows a $28M annual return. Can this model be scaled to unlock the ocean's $5 trillion economy?
As autonomous drone ships map our coastlines, what are the new cybersecurity risks for critical maritime infrastructure?
Florida’s Seafloor Unveiled: Inside the $100M, 170,000 km² Mapping Revolution Transforming Coastal Resilience
Overview
The Florida Seafloor Mapping Initiative (FSMI) is a major five-year project with a $100 million investment, aiming to create a seamless, high-resolution digital elevation model (DEM) of Florida’s seafloor. By integrating advanced technologies and building strong partnerships, FSMI is achieving new levels of detail and efficiency in marine mapping. The initiative is progressing smoothly and is on track to finish soon. This effort will greatly improve understanding of Florida’s coastal waters, providing essential data for navigation, environmental protection, and disaster response across the state.