Create the most advanced digital model of any marine habitat in the world
Fully update the navigational charts of the Channel Islands region
Unearthing rich maritime history through advanced remote sensing technology
Only 5% of the Channel Islands’ waters have been mapped with detailed bathymetric data.
This lack of comprehensive geo and habitat information hampers effective marine management, conservation efforts, and scientific research. Without accurate data, it is challenging to protect critical habitats such as seagrass beds, maerl beds, and kelp forests.
Channel Islands’ waters can be extremely treacherous and a key aim of the project is to address SOLAS concerns and provide a fully updated data set for modernising our navigational charts, thereby reducing danger to life and damage to vessels.
Much of the data for the Channel Islands’ navigational charts was collected in the 1870’s using rowing boats, sextants and lead lines to build the bulk of what we still rely on today for navigational purposes. This makes them unusually outdated. The International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO) has various charting standards, the most accurate of which is Standard 100 – S-100.
A key project aim is to deliver a fully up-to-date suite of navigational data to conform with S-100, leading to enhanced safety at sea and the potential for increased maritime tourism.
Studies in Normandy and Brittany have discovered mesolithic archaeological sites and there is a strong chance that such sites are waiting to be discovered in channel Island waters.
In addition to finding archaeological sites Subsee believes that there could be low thousands of unidentified shipwrecks in Channel Island waters stretching back through 8,000 years. the remains of two Roman ships have been found in Guernsey and one World war 1 U-Boat has been discovered on the sea bed in extraordinary condition. Other famous wrecks remain to be located
Divers from Guernsey have discovered a missing German U-Boat at a depth of over 70 meters. The missing U-boat ‘UC-18′ was lost in February 1917 after a famous battle with a secret Royal Navy ‘Q’ Ship which was also sunk in the altercation. There are many more stories like this waiting to be discovered.
This combination makes it a very dynamic marine environment and one that is extremely interesting to study from a marine biology point of view.
We are building a comprehensive 3D model of the sea floor, which will provide detailed topography (bathymetry) data. Currently, only about 5% of our waters have this data.
To accurately map the locations of sea grass, maerl beds, kelp, and other marine fauna.
To create a fully updated and precise view of our marine environments, which will help in protecting fish spawning grounds and other critical habitats.
We aim to collect a variety of data points to improve our understanding of the marine environment.
We aim to merge SUBSEE’s collected data with Jersey Fisheries’ extensive databases.
To consolidate various types of marine data into a single, cohesive repository.
An updated dataset that meets or exceeds the best international standards.
Provides accurate bathymetry data to a depth of -8m below datum, covering approximately 20% of the survey area.
European Space Agency’s Sentinel 2 satellite.
Targets the most dangerous maritime areas for navigation.
Data available within 6 weeks of purchase.
Populate our Digital Twin with precise bathymetry data.
Utilize three different sonar systems for comprehensive data collection.
Gathers detailed bathymetry data beyond satellite coverage.
Penetrates subsea sediment for geological insights.
Monitors marine biodiversity.
> Open-source data, satellite-derived bathymetry and seafloor classification
> Airborne lidar bathymetry (and hyperspectral imaging) <~20m water depth
> Multibeam echosounding (and sub-bottom profiling) >~20m water depth
> Data fusion, AI analytics, insights delivered via a digital twin platform
> Powerful enough to handle tidal and current systems around the Channel Islands.
> Equipped with a gondola beneath the vessel to house the sonar technologies.
> Survey Duration: 365 days of in-water operations spread over 18 months.
> Data Streaming: Live data streaming via Starlink, incrementally building the data set into the model.
Collected from fiber optic cables.
Four specialized landers anchored on the seabed will provide ongoing data on salinity, chemical composition, currents, and acoustics, continuously feeding data into the model.
Comprehensive Marine Insights: The integration of satellite, sonar, and additional scientific data ensures precise, real-time marine analysis, enhancing navigation safety and environmental monitoring.
