Forward Scouting™

Forward Scouting™ is a reconnaissance method that combines rapid collection of visual seafloor data with high-frequency acoustic mapping data to provide more in-depth assessments of seafloor conditions.

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Forward Scouting™ is an adaptive surveying technique designed to de-risk the cable routing selection process through a flexible survey design that is adjusted in situ as data are acquired and assessed against the overall project objectives. This approach is cost effective, and can provide high-value intelligence about seafloor condition at the early stages of project planning.

This “first-look” approach to surveying uses reconnaissance level high frequency multi-beam echo sounder (MBES) followed by rapid seafloor imaging to document conditions along proposed export cable corridors (ECCs), such that the exact nature and extent of any areas of concern/conflict are delineated before defining the more cost- and time-intensive G&G survey.

This delineation potentially results in significant reduction to overall ECC route length, reducing G&G survey effort and cost, while collecting benthic data required for the environmental baseline monitoring. This approach is adaptive/flexible to in situ conditions (both the MBES and imagery surveys) ensuring a comprehensive understanding of potential conflicts are identified in the project area. Forward Scouting™ derisks cable routing by ensuring potential ECCs do not contain conflicts that create challenges with permitting, and thus slow-down project development.

Related Projects

Attentive Energy Export Cable Routes Forward Scouting Survey

INSPIRE executed a Forward Scouting™ survey for potential ECCs for the Attentive Energy Offshore Wind Project.

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Notable Features

Forward Scouting

Early Identification of Important Features
Forward scouting surveys allow researchers to identify critical habitats, species, or ecological features in the project area, supporting early planning efforts to avoid engineering or permitting conflicts.

Efficient Resource Allocation
By providing an initial overview of the environment, scouting surveys help allocate resources (time, equipment, and personnel) more effectively for subsequent, more intensive surveys. This ensures that efforts are focused on areas of greatest interest or concern.

Risk Reduction
Forward scouting surveys help identify potential hazards (e.g., difficult terrain, water depths, or environmental risks) and logistical challenges, allowing for better preparation and safety planning before deploying more expensive or complex survey methods.

Mapping and Navigation
Forward scouting often helps create basic maps of the area, which can aid in navigation and site selection during more detailed surveys. This is particularly valuable in remote or poorly understood environments.

Stakeholder Engagement
Early scouting surveys provide valuable insights that can be shared with stakeholders (e.g., local communities, regulatory agencies) early in the process, fostering collaboration and ensuring that surveys align with regulatory or community expectations.

Adaptive Planning
By gathering initial information on the study area, forward scouting surveys allow researchers to adapt and refine their methodologies, sampling strategies, or target areas based on real-world conditions.

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