Seabed Imaging and Mapping System (SIMS)

The Seabed Imaging and Mapping System (SIMS) consists of a towed video camera that images the seabed and is precisely positioned with real-time differential GPS (DGPS). A specialized seabed classification system allows precision mapping of the nearshore substrate, flora and fauna as well as identification of specific seabed targets.
Applications
  • nearshore habitat inventories
  • outfall, cable or pipeline corridors
  • repetitive surveys for compliance monitoring
  • regional resource inventories (e.g., eel grass)
 Processing Products
  • classification of substrate (9 data fields)
  • classification of epiflora (7 data fields)
  • classification of epifauna (6 data fields)
  • point database with navigation and classification data
  • ArcView GIS integration for data plots/analysis
Hardware Specifications
  • towed, low-light video camera
  • optimized for shallow-water (<20m)
  • 3 knot tow speed
  • DGPS burn-in to video recorder
  • real-time trackline plotting through ArcView
  • automated data logging of depth and DGPS
  • highly portable, 12vDC

Figure 1 Screen capture of a seabed video image. Image shows boulders lying over bedrock in about 10m depth. The yellow star (Pycnopodia) is approximately 50cm across.

Figure 2 Screen capture of seabed video image showing a steel pipe, estimated to be 30cm in diameter, lying on a high bio-turbated till (seastars burrowing for clams have created numerous small craters on the bottom). The Pisaster or starfish on the pipe is about 20cm across.