Broad Coverage
Towed video systems can cover large areas of the seafloor efficiently, making them ideal for surveys that require extensive spatial data.
Towed Video Surveys
Towed Video Surveys are an effective approach to characterize the seafloor at discrete locations, and to map the spatial extent and nature of complex habitats. These surveys often augment the point data collected from planned station locations through continuous data collection over a defined area.
INSPIRE has extensive experience in the execution of towed video surveys in support of offshore wind development. INSPIRE often uses towed video for adaptive sampling to supplement our SPI/PV surveys.
A video sled with accompanying LED lights and a scaling laser is towed for the length of a designated transect(s) in order to document benthic conditions on the sediment surface. The video data is analyzed to characterize the surficial sediments including documenting the presence of any sensitive taxa in the area.
In this approach, a survey design is executed with SPI/PV at planned station locations. When seafloor habitat characteristics are encountered (identified from real-time review of SPI/PV imagery) that could trigger flexible/additional sampling effort (e.g., identification of sensitive, rare, or unexpected species/habitat), towed-video is used to spatial delineate the seafloor habitat at a greater resolution then the planned design.
Related Projects
Sunrise Offshore Wind Project
Benthic resource characterization survey conducted as part of the baseline assessment for permitting, towed-video was used as part of our adaptive sampling framework to spatially delineate habitat and features of interest documented during the initial baseline assessment.
Related Projects
South Fork Offshore Wind Project
Benthic resource characterization survey conducted as part of the baseline assessment for permitting, towed-video was used as part of our adaptive sampling framework to spatially delineate habitat and features of interest documented during the initial baseline assessment.
Notable Features
Towed Video
Non-Destructive Sampling
Towed video systems allow for the observation and documentation of benthic habitats without physically disturbing them, preserving the natural environment.
Towed video systems allow for the observation and documentation of benthic habitats without physically disturbing them, preserving the natural environment.
High-Resolution Imagery
These systems can capture high-resolution video footage, providing detailed visual data that can be used for species identification, habitat mapping, and monitoring changes over time.
These systems can capture high-resolution video footage, providing detailed visual data that can be used for species identification, habitat mapping, and monitoring changes over time.
Data Versatility
Video footage can be analyzed for a wide range of ecological parameters, including habitat structure, species distribution, abundance, and behavior, providing a comprehensive view of benthic ecosystems.
Video footage can be analyzed for a wide range of ecological parameters, including habitat structure, species distribution, abundance, and behavior, providing a comprehensive view of benthic ecosystems.
Real-Time Observation
Towed video systems provide real-time video feed, allowing scientists to make on-the-spot decisions during the survey and adjust their approach based on what they observe.
Towed video systems provide real-time video feed, allowing scientists to make on-the-spot decisions during the survey and adjust their approach based on what they observe.
Repeatable Surveys
Since the same transects can be resurveyed using the same method, towed video allows for long-term monitoring and comparison of benthic communities over time.
Since the same transects can be resurveyed using the same method, towed video allows for long-term monitoring and comparison of benthic communities over time.
Other Services
Sediment Profile Imaging/Plan View (SPI/PV) Surveys
Sediment Grab Sampling
ROVs, High Resolution Video & 3D Photogrammetry
Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Surveys
Forward Scouting
Benthic Resource Assessments
Trawl Surveys
Trap and Fish Pot Surveys
Baited Remote Under Water Video (BRUV) and Plan View (PV) Surveys
Environmental DNA (eDNA) Studies
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