FINAL FIELD REPORT NOTRE DAME BAY SHORE PARTY APRIL 29 - JULY 08, 1992 CANADIAN HYDROGRAPHIC SERVICE ATLANTIC REGION DEPT. OF FISHERIES AND OCEANS ST. JOHN'S, NEWFOUNDLAND

6

Canadian Hydrographic Service vx Service hydrographique du Canada 597 .C3 Department of Fisheries and Oceans G612 Ministere des Peches et des Oceans 1992 FINAL FIELD REPORT NOTRE DAME BAY SHORE PARTY APRIL 29 - JULY 08, 1992 CANADIAN HYDROGRAPHIC SERVICE ATLANTIC REGION DEPT. OF FISHERIES AND OCEANS ST. JOHN'S, NEWFOUNDLAND

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

2 9 JUN 2006

NAFC Library - NI Region 1 FINAL FIELD REPORT

NOTRE DAME BAY SHORE PARTY

APRIL 29 - JULY 08, 1992

ATLANTIC REGION

CANADIAN HYDROGRAPHIC SERVICE

DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES AND OCEANS

ST. JOHN'S, NEWFOUNDLAND

HYDROGRAPHERS - IN - CHARGE

J. E. GOODYEAR / C. H. STIRLING 2

TABLE OF CONTENTS

List of Participating Staff 3

List of Craft and Equipment 4 Craft 4 Sonar Equipment 4 Survey Equipment 4 Data Processing Equipment

Chronology of Events 6

Introduction 10

Survey Projects 10

Chart 4846 Motion Bay to Cape St. Francis 10 St. John's Harbour, Berths 10 and 11 10 Chart 4863 Bacalhao Island to Black Island 13 Bridgeport Harbour 13 Cottle's Island 15 Sailing Directions Revisory Survey 17

Computer Hardware and Data Processing 17 Digital Data Collection Phase 17 QTC / HYPS Data Processing Phase 19 HIPP / CARIS Processing Phase 21

Survey Equipment Report 24

Launch Report 25

End of Season Status Report 26 Summary of Projects 26 Percentage of Charts Completed 26

Recommendations and Conclusions 27

Tabulation of Projects and References 29

Appendix A 33 Quester Tangent letter 34 3

LIST OF PARTICIPATING STAFF NAME POSITION DATES

J. E. GOODYEAR HYDROGRAPHER-IN-CHARGE APR 29 - JULY 08 C. H. STIRLING SENIOR ASSISTANT HYDROGRAPHER APR 29 - JULY 08 G. SMITH SAILING DIRECTIONS OFFICER APR 29 - JULY 08 J. MANNING HYDROGRAPHER APR 29 - JUNE 26 W. CURRAN HYDROGRAPHER (SAILING DIRECTIONS) ARP 29 - JUNE 26 D. REGULAR HYDROGRAPHER APR 29 - JULY 02 F. MUISE HEAD COMPUTER MICROWAVE, B.I.O. APR 29 - MAY 21 J. COURNOYER ELECTRONIC TECHNICIAN, B.I.O. APR 29 - MAY 21 G. VEZINA ELECTRONIC TECHNICIAN, B.I.O. APR 29 - MAY 07 A. TIMOUNT MOTOR MECHANIC, B.I.O. APR 29 - MAY 19 R. SPIDEL COXSWAIN, B.I.O. APR 29 - JULY 02 J. DAVIDSON HEAD, POSITIONING SHOP, B.I.O. APR 30 - MAY 06 H. BOUDREAU NAVIGATION GROUP, B.I.O. MAY 03 - MAY 06 A. BEST STUDENT, CABOT INSTITUTE JUN 01 - JUNE 26 4

LIST OF CRAFT AND EQUIPMENT CRAFT Two (2) 9.8 m fiberglass survey launches One (1) Fiberglass Dory One (1) Bell 206B Helicopter (Private Charter) One (1) Chevrolet Suburban four (4) wheel drive One (1) Ford Panel Van (rental May) One (1) Chevrolet Astro Van (rental June)

SONAR EQUIPMENT Four (4) Elac I.az 72, 30 KHz Echo Sounders One (1) Raytheon DE719, 200 KHz portable Echo Sounders Two (2) Elac Digitizers STG7 One (1) SVP-16 Velocimeter One (1) Elac 4100 Portable Echo Sounder

SURVEYING EOUIPMENT Four (4) Ottboro Tide Gauges One (1) Wild DI20 Distomat EDM and Prisms Six (6) Wild T2 Theodolites Two (2) Wild N2 Levels Three (3) ISAH units One (1) Falcon Electronic Positioning System One (1) AXYLE Electronic Positioning System Nine (9) Hand held VHF Portable Radios Three (3) VHF Sailor Radio (Shore base office and launches) Three (3) SSB Radios (Shore base office and launches) Two (2) Sitex Loran C Receivers One (1) Gas powered Hilti Rock Drill

DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT One (1) MicroVax II digital computer system including: Two (2) RA80 Wren 2 Disk Drives 13 MB memory One (1) TKO Tape Drive One (1) Exabyte 8mm Tape Drive One (1) HP Draftmaster 2 Plotter One (1) LXY12 Digital Equipment Printer Three (3) VT 220 Digital Equipment Glass Terminals Two (2) VT 320 Digital Equipment Glass Terminals One (1) VT 240 Digital Equipment Glass Terminal One (1) Sun Sparc workstation and peripherals, including: One (1) Sun Sparc 2 computer c/w internal drive One (1) Dialog external disc drive One (1) Cartridge tape drive 5

One (1) NEC Pinwriter P3300 printer Two (2) CARIS workstations including: One (1) Tektronix 4211 Graphics Terminal and keyboard One (1) Tektronix 4207 Graphics Terminal and keyboard Two (2) Altex Digitizing Tablets One (1) IBM Controller and keyboard One (1) Samsung Controller and keyboard One (1) IBM Compatible personal computer, printer and modem One (1) Macintosh Ilci One (1) Supra Modem 2400 One (1) Abaton scanner 300/GS One (1) Apple Two Page Monochrome Monitor One (1) Apple Personal Laser Writer One (1) Video Camera (rental), Television and VCR (For shorelining) 6

CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS

April 29 Capital Cranes Ltd. were contracted to transport the CSL Hawk and C.S.L. Hagdon to St. John's Harbour. A. Timount, Motor Mechanic, BIO, joined the survey. R. Spidel, Launch Coxswain, BIO, joined the survey. F.Muise, Head Computer Microwave, BIO, joined the survey. J. Cournoyer, technician, BIO, joined the survey. G.Vezina, technician, BIO, joined the survey. April 29 Staff prepared launches for the St. John's Harbour survey. Electronic equipment was installed in launches. The Sun Sparc workstation and peripherals were installed in the St. John's CHS office. April 30 J. Davidson, Head Positioning Lab, BIO, joined the survey and installed ISAH and AXYLE on launches. May 03 The AXYLE and Falcon positioning systems were calibrated. H.Boudreau joined the survey to assist with the installation of the AXYLE electronic positioning system. May 03 - 04 Staff completed a horizontal control project to establish new control at St. John's Harbour. May 05 - 06 H. Boudreau and J. Davidson trained staff to use ISAH, AXYLE and Falcon. A panel van was leased from Elm Mercury Ltd., St. John's. May 06 H. Boudreau and J. Davidson departed for BIO. May 07 Data collection began at St. John's Harbour off berths 10 and 11, as requested by the Harbour Master's Office. May 08 Collection of survey data began at St. John's Harbour. Problems were encountered with the transfer of data from ISAH to the Quester Tangent Package. May 10 A targa cartridge containing data that would not transfer was forwarded to BIO and Quester Tangent by air and DFONET. 7

May 11 The problem encountered with the transfer of data was resolved. May 12-13 The AXYLE System was deployed and shoals were examined off berths 10 and 11, St. John's Harbour. May 14 Problems associated with DFONET were encountered and resolved. May 15 Collection of survey data at St. John's Harbour was completed. May 16 G. Smith, W. Curran, R. Spidel, and A. Thimot departed St. John's 0630 hours and steamed the survey launches Hawk and Hagdon to Twillingate. They arrived Twillingate 2000 hours. J. Goodyear, J. Manning, F. Muise, and J. Cournoyer departed St. John's 1430 hours by vehicle and arrived Twillingate 1800 hours. May 17-18 Hydrographic equipment was installed at the CHS Twillingate Field Office. May 18 G. Smith and W. Curran returned to St. Johns by vehicle. May 19 C. Stirling and D. Regular departed St. John's by vehicle 1030 hours and arrived Twillingate 1600 hours. Motor Mechanic, A. Thimot, BIO, departed Gander to return to BIO. May 20-22 Survey operations started at Bridgeport Harbour. Tide gauges were installed at Twillingate and Bridgeport Harbours. Horizontal control was recovered at Bridgeport Harbour in preparation for a wharf survey at this site. May 21 F. Muise, Head of Computer Microwave, BIO, and technician J. Cournoyer departed 0700 hours for BIO. May 24-28 Horizontal control survey at Bridgeport Harbour was completed and sounding operations started. May 28-29 Mary Beth &rube visited the survey. June 01 A. Best, student, Cabot Institute of Applied Arts and Technology, joined the survey through the Atlantic Accord Program. June 03-05 J. Goodyear travelled to St. John's to attend meetings with Personnel Section, DFO, Newfoundland. 8

June 08 Surveys continued at Bridgeport Harbour. June 10 Universal Power Supply Unit malfunctioned and was replaced by another unit flown in from BIO. June 11 The Cottle's Island survey was started. Horizontal control was recovered and a tide staff was installed. The Bridgeport Harbour survey was completed. June 12 A tide gauge was installed at Cottle's Island, New World Island. June 16 The Sun Sparc workstation experienced hardware problems. A decision was made, after consultation with Hydrographic Development Section, BIO to use the workstation until the end of the survey, as the problem is intermittent. June 17 Rob Hare, CHS Pacific Region, visited the survey to discuss data collection techniques, accuracies, digital data base and electronic charts. June 18 Surveys continued at Cottle's Island. J. Goodyear travelled to St. John's to attend meetings with Personnel Section, DFO, Newfoundland. The Sun Sparc workstation stopped working and was sent to BIO, for repairs. June 22 A helicopter under charter from Universal Helicopters of Newfoundland Ltd. was used for horizontal control at Cottle's Island. June 26 J. Manning departed for vacation. W. Curran departed the survey to join the Bonavista Bay shore party on July 2 A. Best departed Notre Dame Bay shore party to join the Sailing Directions survey. Hydrographic Development Section, BIO, reported that the Sun Sparc workstation sent to them on June 22 had a bad memory management unit on the CPU board. June 27 A helicopter under charter from Universal Helicopters Newfoundland Ltd. was used to recover horizontal control at Cottle's Island. 9

June 29 A horizontal control survey was started in the area from Black Island to Knight's Island, Notre Dame Bay. Additional soundings were obtained off berths 10 and 11, St. John's Harbour. June 30 A helicopter under charter from Universal Helicopters Newfoundland Ltd. was used to recover horizontal control in the Black Island, Knight's Island area. July 01 Technicians arrived from BIO to load and transport computers and survey equipment to the Bonavista Bay Shore Party. J. Goodyear, A. Best, R. Spidel and G. Smith, steamed launches Hawk and Hagdon from Twillingate to Carmanville. A helicopter under charter from Universal Helicopters Newfoundland Ltd. was used to recover horizontal control in the Black Island, Knight's Island area. July 02 Technicians departed to join the Bonavista Bay Shore Party. J. Goodyear, A. Best, R. Spidel and G. Smith, steamed launches Hawk and Hagdon from Carmanville to Burnside, Bonavista Bay, where they will be used on the Bonavista Bay Shore Party. Hydrographer D. Regular departed this survey to train staff on the Bonavista Bay Shore Party in the use of AXYLE and ISAH. Coxswain R. Spidel, BIO, departed this survey to join the Bonavista Bay Shore Party. July 03 Hydrographer D. Regular departed for vacation. July 08 The Notre Dame Bay shore based survey ended. 10

INTRODUCTION

The Notre Dame Shore Party survey operated from April 29 to July 08. The survey started at St. John's with a survey off berths 10 and 11, Chart 4846, Motion Bay to Cape St. Francis. Later, the survey was relocated to a temporary field office at Twillingate, to carry out surveys required for completion of Chart 4863.

This survey saw the introduction of new software and hardware at the production level. The Quester Tangent Hydrographic Processing System (HYPS), was used for processing data collected on an Integrated System for Automated Hydrography (ISAH), data logger. After initial processing in HYPS the data was transferred to a Digital Equipment of Canada, (DEC) Micro Vox II computer. Processing then continued using the Hydrographic Integrated Processing Package, (HIPP) and the Computer Aided Resource Information System (CARIS) to produce a digital data set.

SURVEY PROJECTS ,

CHART 4846. MOTION BAY TO CAPE ST. FRANCIS

ST. JOHN'S HARBOUR, BERTHS 10 AND 11

The St. John's Harbour survey had two goals to achieve. First, to determine the post dredging depths along berths 10 and 11, St. John's Harbour. (Figure 1). Second, to serve as a test run for the new AXYLE, Quester Tangent data collection and processing system.

Cruise ships that visited St. John's Harbour had refused to dock at berths 10 and 11, as depths portrayed at these berths on Chart 4846, are too shallow for these vessels. Since these visits are of significant economic benefit to the city of St. John's, a request was received from the Harbour Master's Office at St. John's, to remove these depths from the chart. The Harbour Master's Office felt that more water was present alongside these berths than was shown on Chart 4846. It was their opinion that the Canadian Hydrographic Service, (CHS) was too conservative when selecting soundings off wharf faces, especially close to the face, and this was resulting in many berths being unnecessarily closed off to certain vessels. 11

/

N

/4

,f43

ST. JOHN'S HARBOUR BERTHS 10 AND 11 ST. JOHN'S, HARBOUR 12

The Harbour Master's Office was notified that removal of depths from the chart was not possible unless the obstructions on the bottom causing these depths were first removed. As a result, the Newfoundland Office of the CHS assisted divers in locating these shallow depths so that the nature of the bottom could be determined for dredging purposes. It was discovered that these depths were caused by boulders, truck tires, coils of cable and mud. In February 1992 these obstructions were removed. A new hydrographic survey was now required to determine new depths that existed alongside these berths.

Prior to starting this survey, hydrographic launches, Hawk and Hagdon, were removed from their winter storage site at the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) warehouse facility at Torbay Road, St. John's, and placed in the water at St. John's Harbour. Staff from the Marine Services Branch, Bedford Institute of Oceanography (BIO), assisted staff with this effort and with installation of electronic equipment.

Additional horizontal control was established to provide strong geometry for fixes obtained from the AXYLE Positioning System. The system was calibrated, and a calibration check was obtained by placing the receiver over a known survey point. The logged position was within 5 centimeters of the known position. Lines were run at two (2) metre spacing parallel to the faces of the berths out to the 10 metre depth contour. All depths and positions were logged using the ISAH system. Shoal examinations were made, including lead lines, to verify critical depths. Tidal data was obtained from the permanent tide gauge site at St. John's Harbour. Validation consisted of a comparison between the data collected this season to data collected in 1990 (Field Sheet 9474) by the F.C.G. Smith (Sweep Vessel). On the whole, depths agreed quite well; however, any discrepancies found were resolved by field examination.

The AXYLE and ISAH systems performed extremely well during this survey. A minor problem occurred with signal reflections; however, this was due to the nature of the harbour; i.e., steep hills and tall steel buildings. It was found that, in order to accurately digitize shoal peaks, the depth digitizer had to be set to a rate of 2 depths per second. This is particularly relevant for this type of survey where debris existed on the bottom. A slower digitizing rate missed WHARF AND FISHPLANT FACILITIES AT BRIDGEPORT 13 digitizing objects, such as a steel bar stuck upright in the bottom. The digitized graph was compared to the paper chart from the sounder and good agreement was found with minor editing required at the depth processing stage of the HYPS software.

On May 15, 1992, the sounding operations at St. John's were completed and the survey was moved to Twillingate. After arrival at Twillingate, it was discovered that the last day of data logged at St. John's was useless because of a loose battery connection to a printed circuit board in an ISAH cartridge. This was further complicated by an incorrect threshold setting that resulted in the ISAH software not displaying a low battery warning message to the launch hydrographer. As the lost data was critical, a two man survey party returned to St. John's on June 29 to resound that day's work. Results of the survey indicated that limiting depths of 8.5 m existed 4 metres off the berths, and 7.7 m at 2 metres off.

The second goal of this survey was achieved with the assistance of H. Boudreau, CHS Atlantic, and J. Davidson, Marine Services Branch, B.I.O. Staff were trained to use ISAH and the AXYLE positioning system. Some staff were already familiar with ISAH and only required a refresher course, while others had no previous experience. The training went very well and within three (3) days staff were capable of using these systems unassisted.

CHART 4863. BACALHAO ISLAND TO BLACK ISLAND

BRIDGEPORT HARBOUR

From May 16, 1992 to May 19, 1992, a survey field office was established at Twillingate, New World Island, Newfoundland. Survey launches, Hawk and Hagdon, were steamed from St. John's to Twillingate. Technicians and staff moved the processing system from St. John's and installed it at Twillingate. By May 29, 1992, everything was in place to start surveys from the new field office.

A wharf survey of the fishplant wharf at Bridgeport Harbour was required for production of a Sailing Directions Diagram and an inset on New Chart 4863. (Figures 2 and 3). The sounding datum at Bridgeport was established by water level transfer from Twillingate, and three new benchmarks were established. 14

Survey Location

NOTRE DAME BAY SURVEY LOCATION SKETCH BRIDGEPORT HARBOUR

FIGURE 2

N

BRIDGEPORT HARBOUR

NOTRE DAME BAY SURVEY DETAIL SKETCH El Area Sounded BRIDGEPORT HARBOUR SURVEY FIGURE 3 15

Hydrographic and Newfoundland Provincial horizontal control was recovered and used to establish new control stations. These stations were adjusted using the GHOST adjustment program and were used as electronic sites for the AXYLE positioning system.

After arriving in the survey area, it was discovered that the original requirement for a survey of the whole of Bridgeport Harbour was unnecessary. It was decided, after consultation with the Superintendent of Field Surveys, CHS Atlantic, that a survey of the immediate area near the wharf facilities at Bridgeport Harbour would be a more realistic survey. Launch positioning was provided by the AXYLE positioning system, while launch conning and data logging was achieved with the ISAH system. Shoreline was copied from existing plans, obtained when a validation document search was made. All data was processed through the HYPS system and then the HIPPS/CARIS system.

On June 11, 1992, survey operations were suspended at Bridgeport and moved to the Cottle's Island location.

COTTLE'S ISLAND

A survey was required of facilities at Cottle's Island to produce a Sailing Directions Diagram. After talking to local users of this site, it was learned, that soundings of the channels used to approach wharf facilities at the site, were of more concern than soundings off the wharves themselves. As a result, it was decided to produce a 1:5000 scale survey of a larger area that previously planned, in order to provide coverage of these channels. (Figure 4).

Horizontal control was established at Cottle's Island by extending control previously established by this survey party at Bridgeport Harbour. Newfoundland Provincial Grid stations and additional Canadian Hydrographic Service stations were included in this control project. Station coordinates were established using the GHOST adjustment program. The sounding datum for this project was established by installation of a tide staff and Ottboro pressure gauge at Cottle's Island. A water level transfer was completed from Twillingate.

Soundings operations were suspended at this site on June 23, as the Sun Sparc workstation used to process sounding data experienced a 16

NOTRE DAME BAY SURVEY LOCATION SKETCH COTTLESVILLE SURVEY

FIGURE 4 17 hardware problem, requiring it to be shipped to BIO for diagnosis and repairs. It was decided, that it was unrealistic to expect that repairs could be made and the Sun Sparc workstation returned to this survey party, with the limited amount of time remaining in the survey. Therefore, the last three (3) days were spent obtaining stadia, and validating folded copies FCs., etc. Outstanding shoal examinations were to be completed later in the season when the C.S.S. Matthew would be working in the area.

SAILING DIRECTIONS REVISORY SURVEY

Concurrent with the Notre Dame Bay shore based survey, a two (2) man subparty ran a Sailing Directions Revisory survey. This revisory survey was necessary to obtain data as required for production of the new volume of the Newfoundland Sailing Directions, to be published in 1994. The areas revised included the Burin Penninsula (Placentia Bay and Fortune Bay), Connaigre Penninsula, Bonavista Bay, Hamilton Sound, and parts of Notre Dame Bay. During the survey numerous sketches were made as required for the production of Sailing Directions Diagrams. As well, consultation with locals resulted in valuable information that aided in the revision. COMPUTER HARDWARE AND DATA PROCESSING REPORT

This survey saw the introduction at the production level of the Sun Sparc workstation, and the Quester Tangent HYPS software. An ISAH data logger was also used this year as part of the regular launch survey equipment. The introduction of this new software and hardware resulted in changes to processing procedures. These procedures can be regarded as consisting of three (3) distinct phases. First, the digital data collection phase; second, the QTC / HYPS processing phase; and third, the HIPP / CARIS processing phase.

DIGITAL DATA COLLECTION PHASE All digital data was logged on Targa Data Cartridges using the ISAH. Launch positioning was provided by the AXYLE system which output latitude and longitude to the ISAH in GPLL format. As a result the AXYLE system appeared to the ISAH as a Geographic Positioning System (GPS) receiver. Elac Laz 72 echo sounders and Elac STG digitizers were used, with the digitizer digitizing the output of the Elac Laz 72 echo sounder. No draft was entered on the sounder or the digitizer, as this correction would be transparent to the Quester 18

SOUNDER

DIGITIZER roe

HYDROGRAPHER'S

DISPLAY )

SUN SPARCS 2

HARD DRIVE

Tangent processing software. The ISAH display parameters were set to show a draft correction on the coxswain's display, as it was felt important that the coxswain's display show the true depth beneath the vessel's keel. The ISAH also provided separate real time displays to the coxswain and hydrographer for assistance with launch conning and monitoring of system parameters. At the end of the survey day, the data logged on the targa cartridge was transferred to a disk volume on the Sun Sparc workstation using the READ TARGA program.

Problems associated with the digital data collection phase were as follows:

(i) On one occasion, logged data down-loaded from the targa cartridge, was scrambled. This problem was caused by a loose connection on a circuit board in the targa cartridge, which resulted in an intermittent battery connection. A threshold level setting in the targa cartridge was also incorrectly set, resulting in the ISAH not displaying a low battery warning to the launch operator. All threshold settings and batteries used in the targa cartridges should be checked at the start of each field season. (Appendix A)

(ii) On another occasion, down-loaded data could not be processed. When the data was archived to tape, the Quester Tangent Processing System aborted, with control passed back to the Sun operating system. This problem was eventually tracked down to the date being entered in an incorrect format on the ISAH. Apparently, the version of Sun Windows used on our Sun Sparc workstation is different from the version expected by the Quester Tangent Software, resulting in no errors being reported. This problem could have been avoided if an 19 error checking routine was in place to check data entry into the ISAH.

(iii) The original version of software used with the ISAH system did not pass the sounding attributes (tags) for fixes such as sounding, nay-aid, lead, etc., to HIPP. The parameter file had to be edited to include these attributes. Leads had to be entered through CARTS. An update to the ISAH software to correct this problem was provided at a later date.

OTC / HYPS DATA PROCESSING PHASE

Front Data Collection Phase

CHS Program "VAXCOPY" SUN SPARCS 2 transfers data to MICRO VAX II for further processing at the I HARD DRIVE HIPP I CARIS Processing Phase

Read Targa File

MISSION Forced Archive ARCHIVE RAW DATA TO 150 MB TAPE (

Saved to Sun Workstation hard drive

POSITION

Save Position Processed ( PROCESSING Data to Sun Workstation hard drive.

1 Archive ARCHIVE Accept Data DEPTH HIPP ASCII RAW DATA TO FORMAT ( PROCESSING 150 MB TAPE FILE (

The second processing phase was called the QTC / HYPS data processing phase. The data logged on the targa cartridge was transferred to a file on the Sun Sparc workstation, using the READ TARGA program. The read targa command was then used to transfer this file into a mission file. An archive of the raw data to a 150 MByte tape was then forced. The data was position processed to remove positional errors; then this position processed data was saved 20 to the Sun Sparc workstation. Next, the data was depth processed. At this stage, the digital echograph was displayed on the screen, edited to match the paper echo trace, and a sounding selection made. On completion of the depth processing the data was accepted or rejected by the processor. Acceptance caused a HIPP ASCII format file to be saved to the Sun Sparc workstation. At this point the processed data was archived again. This archive was optional; however, it was decided to save this data as it is actually clean raw data, i.e. raw data with all obvious errors removed. The original positioned processed data was automatically archived by the system during this step, and could be recovered at a later date if required.

The following comments are related to this QTC / HYPS data processing phase:

(i) The HYPS software was capable of input such as tides, draft, etc. However, these parameters were passed to the HIPP software as one composite number. It was not possible to go back and separate the tide correction from the draft for post processing. This requirement could occur, for instance, if it was discovered that a ram transducer was not fully deployed. The processor would have to completely reprocess the data at the HYPS level to correct the draft, or a false correction would have to be introduced through the parameter file at the HIPPS level, and data reprocessed in HIPP. Both these cases would eventually result in ambiguous or incorrect data for these parameters being passed to the database. To overcome this problem, it was decided that all corrections to soundings would be entered through the parameter file at the HIPP level. This also meant that the ELAC sounder and digitizer in the launch were to be set for zero (0) draft. Future revisions to the QTC / HYPS software should include the ability to pass these parameters to HIPP automatically. Tidal data, for instance, can be entered at the QTC / HYPS level by digitizing, a much more efficient method than typing in tidal notes. A revision of this sort would also eliminate the need to edit the parameter files.

(ii) The Sun Sparc workstation provided to this field party "locked- up" on an intermittent basis. In this state the workstation did not respond to the mouse or keyboard. The only solution was to power down the system and restart it. This resulted in corruption of files on the disk. On occasion, data had to be reprocessed due to corrupted files, a very time consuming procedure. After consultation with personnel from the Hydrographic Development Section, BIO, the problem appeared to be solved when a Small Computer System 21

Interface (SCSI) device was found to be incorrectly terminated. Later. however, while operating at Twillingate, another related problem occurred. The computer again "locked-up" when attempting to reboot, leaving the operator with a black screen. Powering down and restarting appeared to fix the problem. Since there was little time remaining on the survey, the problem was intermittent, and there was no replacement Sun Sparc workstation, it was decided with Development Section, BIO, to try and continue with the system as it was until the end of the survey. At that time it was planned to return the system to BIO for warranty repairs. Unfortunately, on June 23 the workstation "locked-up" and refused to reboot when powered down and restarted. The system was then immediately returned to BIO for repairs and sounding operations were halted. The problem was later traced to a defective memory board management unit on the Computer Processing Unit (CPU).

HIPP / CARIS PROCESSING PHASE

The third processing phase was called the HIPP / CARIS processing phase. This portion of the processing ran on the DEC Micro Vax II computer using the CHS processing software HIPP.

The program VAXCOPY copied the HIPP format ASCII file produced in the QTC / HYPS processing stage, to the Micro Vax II, as a .ISA file. Next, the program CONVISAH converted this file to a standard HIPP sounding file format, .SDG file. The appropriate tide files and parameter files were created and the programs APPLYTID and APPLYPAR generated a corrected sounding .SDG file. The overplot .OVR file was created from the sounding .SDG file using the programs CREATOVR and OVR. The processor was then ready to start editing the data with CARIS. The program OVRNTX produced a .NTX file from the .OVR file. The .NTX file was built into .CAR files using the CAMS command BUILD EDIT. At this stage, the .CAR files were edited using CARED commands to add contours, grids, titles, manual collected data, etc. The final product was a digital data set representing the field sheet. The original .NTX file was updated to reflect the CARED session by selectively writing the file back to the .NTX file. This file was then run through the program NTXOVR to reflect CAMS sounding edits in the .OVR file. Finally, soundings in the .OVR file were flagged back to the original sounding .SDG files using the FLAGSDG program. 22

JSA file copied from Sun Spares 2 Use VMS "BACKUP" Workstaion to Micro Vax II using CHS Program "VAXCOPY" to archive completed project SOURCE files MICRO VAX II

(.ISA file)

Update Vehicle.IDX file, create Header.HDR file and convert .ISA file to HIPP sounding file SOURCE flies formal, using CHS Program "CONVISAH" archived to the magnetic media

Create tide files .TID and .PTD. and .PAR file Run CHS Programs "APPLYPAR" and "APPLYTID"

Map back edits to the Run CHS Programs "CREATOVR" and .SDG file using the "OVR" to create .OVR file CHS Program "FLAGSDG" Run CHS Program "ARCSDG" to archive corrected soundings DG file archived DI Cto magnetic media

Run CHS Program "OVRNTX" to Run CHS Program "NTXOVR" create .NTX file for CARIS

Use VMS "BACKUP" to archive .NTX files .NTX file archived

to magnetic media

)

BUILD EDIT for .NTX files to produce .CAR files. SELECTIVE WRITE in CARED Edit .CAR files using CARED to input manual to produce new .NTX file data. (contours, bottoms, shoreline, etc.) 23

At this stage, the final field sheet was complete and the data was now ready to be archived to magnetic media. Source files and .NTX files were archived using the Vax Management System (VMS) backup command, while the CHS program ARCSDG was used to archive the sounding .SDG files.

This processing phase was essentially the same software used in previous years with the exception of the VAXCOPY and CONVISAH programs. Also, the QTC / HYPS replaced all portions of the HIPP software up to the creation of the sounding .SDG files.

The following observations were made concerning the HIPP / CARTS processing phase:

(i) Sounding plots, produced by the PLOTDATA program from the .OVR file, had overplots and crowded soundings. The overplots were traced to data logged with poor positioning. The crowded soundings, soundings that touched and partially overplotted, appeared to be caused by the percentage of suppression selected for the overplot routine. On previous manual surveys, data was selected at approximately 4 soundings per inch. However, we were now collecting data at the rate of a sounding every 0.2 seconds. This rate resulted in a much denser sounding selection. It was suspected that a suppression rate of 14% was not suitable for the larger number of soundings involved, causing crowding. Possibly, a different suppression of 9% or less could solve this problem, however, this was not tested due to time restraints.

(ii) A methodology was required for correcting soundings after they were processed. For example, as the processor scaled track lines, he may have came across an echo trace suspended above the bottom. Experience gained with the Mirimichi River surveys, dictated that he cannot ignore this sounding, so it was scaled. This sounding most likely appeared on the sounding plot as a shoal requiring an examination. When the shoal examination was scaled, it was discovered that the sounding was weed or some other object, such as a net suspended above the bottom. The requirement now was to replace a shallow sounding from the track line by a deeper sounding from the shoal examination. The processor returned to HYPS, entered the depth editing software, set the time to a large interval that ended just before the depth, changed to a shorter time interval, edited the depth and then accepted the data. Next, the data was transferred to 24

HIPP and reprocessed. This was a time consuming procedure and dramatically increased the processing time. A further problem occurred when there were other instances of the shallow depth from other lines. These depths also had to be edited to prevent the overplot program from simply selecting another instance of the shallow depth from another line.

This problem is really a data base problem. A solution would be to edit these soundings at the NTX level and then map them back to the HIPP sounding file. However, this means that the raw data at the HYPS level would not reflect any of these corrections. A decision is required to decide what will eventually go into the database. If raw data is to be logged then it should be just that, raw data. Raw data is not corrected or processed, it is just the raw collected data. Therefore, there would be no requirement to correct it. If it is required that corrected data be input into the database, software should be developed to map the data back to the HYPS level and not the HIPP level (sounding .SDG files). If the sounding .SDG files are considered the raw data, then the present procedure of mapping back to the sounding .SDG files is sufficient.

(iii) The CHS program APPLYPAR should be changed to apply all corrections on one pass. Presently, this program must be run twice. The programs VAXCOPY, CONVISAH, and APPLYPAR should be combined into one program that produced a corrected sounding .SDG file in HIPP format. This could be accomplished by creating a Digital Command Language (DCL) procedure.

(iv) The Sun Sparc workstation provided to this survey party experienced a memory management unit problem on the CPU and had to be returned to BIO and the local Sun dealer for repairs. As there was no spare Sun Sparc workstation to replace this unit, this survey party lost its ability to process data using the QTC / HYPS software. SURVEY EQUIPMENT REPORT

The survey equipment used on this survey worked extremely well. No time whatsoever was lost to defective survey equipment. At the start of the field season, four (4) theodolites were sent for cleaning and repairs. These cleanings and repairs were quite expensive, but are still cheaper than purchasing new theodolites. The Wild DI20 continued to give excellent service. 25

CHS Newfoundland is involved almost exclusively with large scale surveys of coastal areas and wharf facilities. The addition of the AXYLE positioning system was a major step forward for this survey party. For the first time, the specifications for large scale hydrographic surveys were met. Surveys of wharf facilities were completed more efficiently, as there was no requirement to mark-off wharfs, or to use a subtense board and sextant for sounding. As well, less personnel were required to sound wharves; just a coxswain and hydrographer.

The ISAH system worked well and hydrographers are becoming very proficient with its use. It was discovered during the St. John's Harbour survey, that ISAH is capable of handling an antenna offset when determining position. Input from a gyro is required for these calculations in order to determine the launch heading. This would have been useful, as the AXYLE launch antenna was not vertically aligned with the launch transducer. As CHS launches are not equipped with a gyro, the antenna had to be positioned on the bow of the launch, forward of the coxswain, to be vertically above the transducer. This situation will also occur when other accurate positioning systems, such as GPS, are used on launches.

All equipment was calibrated before and during the survey. Optical instruments, such as levels and theodolites, were checked and calibrated. The AXYLE system was calibrated by placing the receiving antenna over a known survey point. The calibration results were impressive and in the submetre range.

LAUNCH REPORT The hydrographic survey launches, Hawk and Hagdon, were assigned to this survey. These launches were stored at the DFO warehouse compound at Torbay Road, St. John's, at the end of last year's surveys. In the spring they were transported to St. John's Harbour and steamed to the survey area in Notre Dame Bay. The launch, Hawk, was used exclusively for survey operations, while the launch, Hagdon, was docked at Twillingate as a spare launch. The Hawk worked well for the full survey. Both launches were steamed to Bonavista Bay at the end of the survey, where they were used by the Bonavista Bay shore party. Problems encountered with the survey launches were minor in nature. Specifically, a bad oil pressure sensor on the Hagdon, and a requirement to construct a special antenna 26 mount on the bow of the Hawk to align the antenna over the transducer. Both these launches are too large and unmaneuverable to operate efficiently when sounding wharves and confined areas, such as harbours. A more suitable arrangement would be a smaller 8 m (26 foot) launch, such as the Pipit or Penguin for sounding whaves, while larger 10 m (34 foot) launches could be used in more open areas.

END OF SEASON STATUS REPORT

Year: 1992 Survey Establishment: Notre Dame Bay Shore Party Geographic Area (General): Newfoundland Hydrographers-In-Charge: J. Goodyear, C. Stirling

SUMMARY OF PRO TECT(S)

Specific Geographic Existing New Field Sheet Type of Linear Shoal Area Chart No. Chart No. No. Survey Sdgs. Exams Kms. St. John's Harbour 4846 4846 1000867 Post 62 km. 16 Dredging Bridgeport Harbour 4598 4863 1000868 Wharf 95 km. 20 Survey Cottle's Island 4598 4863 1000869 Harbour 55 km. 0 Black Island to 4598 4863 N/A Horizontal N /A N/A Knight's Island Control PERCENTAGE OF CHART(S) COMPLETED

New Chart Existing Geographic Area Reason for % Estimated No. Chart No. Survey Comp. date of Comp. 4846 4846 Berths 10-11 St. Post Dredging 100 % John's Harbour 4863 4598 Bridgeport Sailing 100 % Harbour Directions Diagram 4863 4598 Cottle's Island Sailing 100 % Directions Diagram 4863 4598 Black Island to Horizontal 100 % Knight's Island Control Survey 4863 4598 Black Island to New Chart 50 % 1993 Knight's Island 4863 4548 Twillingate OWS 100% Harbour 27

RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS

The following recommendations are made based on experiences during the Notre Dame Bay shore party:

(i) A spare Sun Sparc workstation is required by field parties, as a replacement, when assigned equipment is sent for repairs.

(ii) Hydrographers, using the Sun Sparc workstation, immediately require training in UNIX. Numerous times during this survey, UNIX was required to perform various task on the Sun Sparc workstation.

(iii) With the advent of new highly accurate positioning systems, future launches must have the positioning system antenna and the transducers aligned vertically. Otherwise, a gyro must be installed on launches for input to ISAH when entering an antenna offset in ISAH. ISAH requires this input to determine launch attitude.

(iv) This survey operated as efficiently as possible under the staff and overtime restraints imposed. However, with one launch and no weekend work, production was not what it could have been. Consideration must be made to developing innovative methods to maintaining production while resources decline.

(v) The elimination of the protocol and restrictions, associated with a shipboard hydrographic survey operation, made this shore party operation a more efficient and productive survey. The increased flexibility and more casual work conditions lead to a more relaxed and productive staff. Also, cost associated with this operation were significantly less that a similar shipboard operation. Consideration should be giving to using a shore based survey on a regular basis in the future, as a method to cut costs and increase efficiency.

(vi) The AXYLE positioning system proved to be a useful and efficient addition to the survey, allowing for more accurate and cost effective surveys. The quality of data obtained is excellent.

(vii) The new QTC/ HYPS processing system worked well and blended in smoothly with the HIPP / CARIS system. Future revisions to software should include the ability to enter draft, tides, etc., at the HYPS stage, and the ability to pass these parameters to HIPP. 28

(viii) The programs VAXCOPY, APPLYPAR and CONVISAH should be combined into one program. APPLYPAR should only have to be run once, not twice.

(ix) Survey parties, producing coastal and harbour surveys, would benefit by having both a 10 m (34 foot) and a 8 m (26 foot) survey launch assigned to them. The present practice of using two 10 m (34 foot) launches reduces flexibility and efficiency.

(x) A committee composed of data processors, working level hydrographers, and a programmer knowledgeable with HIPP, should be formed to develop new procedures and methods for the collection and processing of digital data. This group should develop a set of guidelines and a limited number of standing orders. It is most important that a person be assigned to this group who is familiar with the future data base requirements. Decisions are required as to what will be archived to the data base, as this affects the way that data will be processed. These decisions will prevent lost time reprocessing data and will allow for the most efficient methods of processing, collection, and future entry of data into the data base to be developed.

In conclusion, the Notre Dame Shore Party achieved what it set out to do, in an efficient and cost effective manner. This achivement was only possible due to a diligent staff of hydrographers, supported by personnel, from the Marine Services Branch, Hydrographic Development. 29

TABULATION OF PROJECTS AND REFERENCES

PROJECT TITLE St. John's Harbour SCALE 1:1,000 PROJECT CATEGORY Post Dredging Survey Berths 10 & 11 ESTABLISHMENT Notre Dame Bay Shore Party H.I.C. J. Goodyear / C. Stirling PERIOD OF OPERATION April 29 - May 15 PROJECT STATUS Complete CHARTS 4846 NEW CHART FORMATS 4846 F.S. NUMBERS 1000867 MAG. TAPE FILE NUMBERS Ntx Image 2700392 Soundings 2700393 Source 2700394 Processing 2700400 FIELD BOOK FILE NOS. Observations 2200065 Miscellaneous 2200066 30

TABULATION OF PROJECTS AND REFERENCES

PROJECT TITLE Bridgeport Harbour SCALE 1:1,000 PROJECT CATEGORY Sailing Directions Diagram (Wharf Survey) ESTABLISHMENT Notre Dame Bay Shore Party H.I.C. J. Goodyear / C. Stirling PERIOD OF OPERATION May 20 - June 10 PROJECT STATUS Complete CHARTS 4598 NEW CHART FORMATS 4863 F.S. NUMBERS 1000868 MAG. TAPE FILE NUMBERS Ntx Image 2700395 Soundings 2700396 Source 2700397 Processing 2700399 FIELD BOOK FILE NOS. Miscellaneous 2200067 Observations 2200068 Soundings 2200069 31

TABULATION OF PROJECTS AND REFERENCES

PROJECT TITLE Cottle's Island SCALE 1:1,5000 PROJECT CATEGORY Sailing Directions Diagram ESTABLISHMENT Notre Dame Bay Shore Party H.I.C. J. Goodyear / C. Stirling PERIOD OF OPERATION June 11 - June 28 PROJECT STATUS 50% complete CHARTS 4598 NEW CHART FORMATS 4863 F.S. NUMBERS 1000869 MAG. TAPE FILE NUMBERS Soundings 2700448 Source 2700449 Processing 2700450 FIELD BOOK FILE NOS. Miscellaneous 2200092 Observations 2200068 Soundings 2200094 32

TABULATION OF PROJECTS AND REFERENCES

PROJECT TITLE Black Island to Knight's Island SCALE N/A PROJECT CATEGORY Horizontal Control Survey ESTABLISHMENT Notre Dame Bay Shore Party H.I.C. J. Goodyear / C. Stirling PERIOD OF OPERATION June 29 - July 8 PROJECT STATUS 7596 complete CHARTS 4598 NEW CHART FORMATS 4863 F.S. NUMBERS N/A MAG. TAPE FILE NUMBERS N/A FIELD BOOK FILE NOS. Observations 2200068 33

APPENDIX A 34

QUESTER TANGENT CORPORATION OUSTER MARINE TECH4OLOGY CENTRE 99.9B65 WES1 SAANCI-, ROAD SIDNEY BC. CANADA V81 351 TAINEM FAx (604) 655.4690 TEL. (604) 656-6677

Friday, May 29, 1992 Jack Davison Positioning Shop Bedford Institute of Oceanography

Ref: Targa data cartridge No: 890869 - from J. Goodyear Survey Dear Jack, I received the enclosed data cartridge from Julian's survey group in Newfoundland on Tuesday. The data on it was corrupted and we were requested to investigate the cause. This problem is the result of low battery levels in the cartridge. We have run extensive tests on the cartridge and found that the battery level intermittently registers a low level. The unit was shipped in August, 1989 and has a normal battery life of three years (2 months from now). Somc of your other cartridges may also exhibit this problem soon. The ISAH regularly checks battery levels on cartridge mounting and will notify the operator if the batteries are low. However, in this case, the cartridge electronics did not reliably indicate the battery status. ,Best Regards, ,

Paul Lacroix cc Julian Goodyear Hank Boudreau Steve Forbes 35