A versatile, portable and low cost computerized data logging and charting system compatible with electronic nautical charts

FDA's Division of Cooperative Programs (DCP) has used non-computerized instrumentation extensively and proficiently for its specialized coastal water pollution studies that assist state management of shellfish harvest waters. This paper summarizes the instrumentation development portion of a September 1998 fluorometric study in coastal Connecticut. Fluorometry was used to study estuarine dispersion, travel time, and dilution of wastewater treatment plant discharge, yet the computerized hydrography system (CHS) can be used with any instrument that supports real-time ASCII (or NMEA 0183) output. Leading up to this instrumentation development were technology advancements for geographical positioning systems (GPS), fluorometers, portable PCs, electronic nautical charts, and navigation and hydrographic software. Prior to this study, only one off-the-shelf software application (Chartview Pro) was found that had a feature intended to computer log and display instrument data correlated to a plot of the vessel track on electronic nautical charts, both real-time and after the study. Yet this hydrographic feature had not been implemented by an end-user, until FDA-DCP staff developed a computerized hydrography system (CHS) that included Chartview Pro, and the software developer responded to feedback from FDA-DCP instrumentation trials. Stability as well as the responsiveness of the software company were some criteria for the CHS software, as was low cost, and therefore the off-the-shelf appeal. Versatility was also important. A purpose of developing the CHS was to update the hydrography instrumentation used by FDA-DCP and its cooperative program partners.