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KEY WEST, Fla. (March 25, 2025) — Woolpert and Chance Maritime have partnered to leverage autonomous technology, geospatial expertise, and broad-based staffing to most efficiently collect hydrographic survey data in support of the Florida Seafloor Mapping Initiative and other projects off the coast of Florida.
Woolpert, a leading provider of lidar and sonar bathymetry and hydrographic survey data, was tasked by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to map the seafloor off the coast of Florida to advance coastal resilience and mitigate the impact of hurricanes and flood inundation as part of FSMI. Woolpert enlisted Chance Maritime to mobilize its Mission Capable 29, a 29-foot uncrewed survey vessel, enabling the firms to monitor vessel operations and data collection remotely.
“What is distinctive about the Chance Maritime vessel is that it can securely carry and operate our sensors and highly sensitive equipment, but it also has exceptional power and endurance,” Woolpert Vice President and Maritime Market Director Dave Neff said. “We knew the MC29 could run continuously for more than a week, 24/7, through pretty rough weather, from near shore to about 100 kilometers offshore. This allowed us to collect the most accurate, high-quality data in the least amount of time.”
To monitor the data collection 24 hours a day, Woolpert enlisted a few staff members in locations across multiple time zones to each work in consecutive six- or eight-hour shifts, communicating over Microsoft Teams, to remotely monitor data collection. Chance Maritime had staff in Florida around the clock to monitor the vessel.
“Our team stayed in communication 100% of the time through shift handoffs,” Chance Maritime Chief Technology Officer Michael Scherer said. “Even though there are not people on the water, the skilled cross-disciplinary team monitors the equipment 24/7 from shore without having to get seasick. If the MC29 gets hailed by a nearby vessel, we can answer remotely. By not having to return to shore for crew changes and short weather events, we increase the efficiency of survey operations.”
The MC29 can operate for 20 or more days continuously while delivering kilowatts of continuous power to its onboard sensors. It is compact and can be transported by road via boat trailer, allowing it to be deployed quickly to any site around the country, including after extreme weather events. “The MC29 has the simple logistics of a small survey vessel with the endurance and 24-hour production capabilities of a much larger survey vessel,” said Stuart Chance, Chance Maritime CEO.
Neff added that this streamlined approach enabled Woolpert’s hydrography team to mobilize to other project locations, expanding efficiencies outside the initial project.
“There’s a lot of coastal mapping, dredge spoil surveys, and more that needs to be done to support navigation safety, national security, coastal resilience, disaster mitigation, etc.,” Neff said. “We took this novel approach by combining our advancing resources and technologies with those of Chance Maritime, and it proved successful for all involved. We’re excited to build on this technology partnership to advance our maritime efficiencies while still collecting and delivering the highest quality geospatial data.”
About Chance Maritime
Chance Maritime Technologies provides Ocean Drones as a service with industry leading power and endurance. We specialize in the design, build, operation, lease, and sale of uncrewed boats to commercial, government, and academic clients. Chance Maritime’s team of experts have over 120 years of combined experience in uncrewed design and operations, ensuring quality and precise solutions which meet customer needs. For more information, visit www.chancemaritime.com.
About Woolpert
Woolpert is the premier architecture, engineering, and geospatial (AEG) firm, with a vision to become one of the best companies in the world. We innovate within and across markets to effectively serve public, private, and government clients worldwide. Woolpert is a Global Top 100 Geospatial Company, a Top 100 ENR Global Design firm and has earned eight Great Place to Work certifications. Founded in 1911 in Dayton, Ohio, Woolpert has been America’s fastest-growing AEG firm since 2015. Woolpert has over 2,700 employees and more than 60 offices on five continents. For more, visit woolpert.com
