Use of marine remote sensing data far submarine cable route planning and siting

Marine remote sensing and hydrographic survey equipment can be used to investigate surface and subsurface geological conditions necessary for the planning and siting of submarine cable projects. Use of remote sensing equipment such as side-scan sonar, magnetometers, sub bottom profilers and precision hydrographic survey transducers allow for "real time" shipboard acquisition and interpretation of subsurface geological data to evaluate the feasibility of planned submarine cable routes. This type of survey also provides the most time efficient and cost effective method of evaluating existing geological conditions over of large areas of seafloor surface when planning and siting submarine cable routes. Remote sensing data equipment can be custom designed and modified in the field to provide optimal high resolution imaging for various seabed and geological conditions. Marine remote sensing surveys give a "first-cut" at interpreting seabed and subsurface geological conditions to effectively evaluate selected linear routes in the field. This data can also be used to evaluate the potential success of various cable installation methods as well as the potential for encountering surface or subsurface obstructions. High-resolution acoustical survey data, however, must be combined with a geological borings program within selected routing segments to confirm remote sensing data interpretations of subsurface geological conditions. After conducting preliminary desktop cable routing and conditions evaluations, remote sensing field surveys are planned and executed to provide confirmatory information on expected seafloor and subsurface geological conditions.