Detection of Small Bottom Objects From Multibeam Echosounder Data

Abstract

Abstract Multibeam Echo Sounder Systems (MBES) shallow water surveys provide capability not only acquiring bathymetric data useful for determining isobaths and mapping features on the seafloor which may be a hazard to navigation. They also allow detection of objects smaller or deeper than those required for the safety of seafaring and International Hydrography Organization (IHO) standards. In this article some of issues related to of efficient MBES shallow water surveys are stressed. Additionally a draft of post-processing techniques and result data format together with tools allowing extraction of bottom object from bathymetric data are presented.