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RECENT PROJECTS
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Corps of Engineers' Permit for Bulkhead Repair
(Aransas Bay, Texas)
The tie back
system deteriorated over the years leading to the existing bulkhead failing and
rolling into the bay. This project is part of the repair and replacement of the bulkhead along a marina parking lot. Survey requirements included surveying of general project
features, conducting and upland determination and delineating the limit of COE
jurisdiction on the property. The
permit process required consultation with the client and contractor regarding
permit strategies, preparation of project plans to COE specifications and
coordination with the COE to ensure expeditious permit issuance.
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Pipeline Depth of Cover Surveys
(Corpus Christi Bay, Texas)
In order to expand an existing deep draft channel, several pipelines are being relocated. Naismith Marine Services is providing pipeline location, depth of cover, and verification surveys. Water depths range from land to 45 feet. Several methods of pipeline location are being used including electronic, manual probing, hydro probing, and imaging. |
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77 ft (23m) Deep Dredged Void
(Ingleside, Texas)
As part of a facility expansion program Naismith Marine completed full coverage multibeam, sector scan sonar, and subbottom profiler surveys of a 77 ft. deep void. The area was investigated for anomalies on and below the mudline that could interfere with dredging. A pre-dredge bathymetric survey provides estimates for volume of material to be removed. This facility is used for offloading unusually large floating structures. |
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Sheet Pile Wall Inspection
(Aransas County, Texas)
Sheet pile walls and bulkheads require periodic inspection. Damage from scour, tie-back / cap failure, and erosion can be detected. Corrective maintenance plans can be managed to eliminate unnecessary construction. This survey was part of a demonstration project that included structurally sound and failed sections of the wall. A vertical sector scan is used to image items down to the size of oyster shell clumps. |
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Channel Clearance Survey, La Quinta and Corpus Christi Ship Channels
(San Patricio and Nueces Counties, Texas)
Naismith Marine completed full coverage multibeam and side scan sonar surveys of the La Quinta and Corpus Christi Ship Channels. The surveys were used for modeling and then to safely move an ultra-deepwater semisubmersible drilling rig. Approximately 15 miles of deep draft channel were surveyed.
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Pipeline Construction, 13+ miles of 24 inch steel pipeline
(Galveston Bay, Texas)
Naismith Marine provided full time construction surveying support for the installation of the 24 inch Denbury-Green CO2 pipeline across Galveston Bay. This included preliminary staking, hazard location, navigation control for the lay-barge, quality control, and survey support for three horizontal direction drill (HDD) sections. The as-built surveys were completed by Naismith.
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Beach Profile Survey Along 90 miles of Texas Coast
(Brazoria, Galveston, Chambers, and Jefferson Counties, Texas)
This project is part of an ongoing feasibility study along the upper Texas coast. Natural and man-made changes on the gulf shore affect the coastline in different ways and at different rates. Complete beach profiles are measured at each location to monitor the changes. The upland portion of the survey was completed with GPS-RTK; the surf zone completed with GPS-RTK on a sled; and the hydrographic survey was completed with a dual frequency single-beam echo sounder. The profiles extend into the gulf beyond depth-of-closure.
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Mermentau Jetties, Surf Zone, and Upland Survey
(Mermentau Navigation Channel, Louisiana)
This project included a beach profile survey and topographic survey in support of beach nourishment. Profiles were completed with GPS-RTK on land and a dual-frequency single-beam echo sounder in the Gulf and Channel. Vibracores were collected from the swamp to the surf zone. A routine survey at a scenic and remote part of the Louisiana coastline.
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PROJECTS FOR SCIENTIFIC, RESEARCH & LEGAL PROFESSIONALS
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Packery Channel Monitoring Surveys
(North Padre Island, Texas)
Packery channel was opened in 2006 as part of a storm damage reduction and environmental restoration project. Naismith Marine Services completes surveys four times each year. The high frequency of the surveys is necessary to monitor changes in the channel and surrounding waterways. The surveys extend from the entrance in the Gulf to the Intracoastal Waterway.
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Search and Buoy Lost Barge
(Matagorda Bay, Texas)
A 75 ft x 25 ft barge was damaged during a winter storm. When the tow boat returned to move the barge, it was missing. Aerial searches didn't find the barge so it was presumed sunk. Last seen near busy shipping lanes, it could be a significant hazard to navigation. Naismith Marine researched weather and current conditions, plotted the search area, and, using side scan sonar and mag, located the barge in less than one day.
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Bahia Grande
(Cameron County, Texas)
Bahia Grande is unique in its location and physical characteristics. Ship channel construction had left this basin dry causing frequent dust storms in the local area. A wetland restoration project restored water flow to the basin, but further study was needed. Located in a federally protected refuge, this survey presented many challenges. Specific issues included limited access to the area as well as minimal disturbance of wildlife and surroundings. Vertical control was critical as the slope of the basin floor is in the range of 1:18,000. Water depths ranged from zero to three feet. A range of methods were employed to complete the survey including single beam echo sounder and GPS RTK.
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Shallow Water Multibeam Survey for Bridge Scour
(North Padre Island, Texas)
Even small tides can have a significant impact around structures. This full bottom coverage multibeam survey is repeated several times per year to monitor scour near a small bridge. After storm events, a more detailed survey is completed to ensure that there is no damage to the rock stabilization or structure.
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PROJECTS FOR ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION
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San Luis Pass
(Brazoria/Galveston Counties, Texas)
This project was in support of the shoreline protection and restoration of West Bay Bird Island, modeling of the inlet, and documentation of changes due to a major Hurricane. An initial survey of West Bay Bird Island was followed by the flood shoal area with channels in West Galveston Bay, survey of the pass, ebb shoal, and beach profiles on the Gulf side. This survey required access to marsh areas, shallow sand bars and channels with swift currents. Depths ranged from 30 feet to zero at the shoreline.
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Rollover Pass
(Bolivar Peninsula, Texas)
Rollover Pass is a man-made pass connecting the Gulf of Mexico to East Bay. In support of an engineering modeling project, Naismith Marine Services completed an extensive survey of the pass and surrounding waterways. The surveys included beach profiles, hydrographic survey of the pass, cross sections of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, transects of a portion of East Bay, and a detailed survey of Rollover Bay. Vessel support was provided for the current and tide measurements.
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Galveston Island Beach Nourishment
(Galveston Island, Texas)
This project was in support of the beach nourishment along the Galveston Seawall. Detailed cross-section surveys were completed from the seawall to the depth-of-closure and out to 12,000 feet from the shoreline in the beach nourishment area. Detailed multibeam bathymetry of the proposed sand source site was completed. A side-scan survey was completed to update the hazard survey. The sand/mud interface was observed using low-frequency sonar data on the depth-of-closure survey. The upland portion of the survey was completed with GPS-RTK; the surf zone completed with GPS-RTK on a sled; and the hydrographic survey was completed with a dual frequency single-beam echo sounder. Approximately 40 sediment grab samples were obtained during the survey. The surveys were repeated after Hurricane Ike and have continued through the construction process.
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South Padre Island Beach Profile Surveys
(Cameron County, Texas)
The beach at South Padre Island is the center of activity and the primary resource for the tourist industry. The local government is constantly monitoring, improving, protecting, and nourishing the beach. The base data for much of this activity are the beach profile surveys completed by Naismith Marine Services every year and for special projects.
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Hurricane Debris Mapping and Removal
(Trinity Bay, Galveston Bay, East & West Bay, Texas)
Hurricane Ike was a devastating storm. In addition to cleanup efforts on land, hazardous debris that ended up in the bays needed to be identified and removed. Naismith completed more than 80,000 acres of side scan sonar mapping as part of a team effort. As a result of this work, Naismith was awarded an ongoing contract for future storm response activities.
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PROJECTS FOR OIL & GAS CLIENTS
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High Resolution, Multi-Sensor Geophysical Investigation
(13+ miles of 24" Pipeline Corridor, Galveston Bay, Texas)
This project included sub-bottom profiling, side scan sonar, bathymetry, and magnetometer surveys. Pipeline depth of cover surveys for the crossing pipelines were completed using acoustic sub-bottom profilers and manual probing. Geotechnical grab samples were obtained to support the sea floor identification. Possible obstructions found along the route were identified and removed in support of the accelerated construction schedule.
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High Resolution Shallow Seismic Survey (Sub-bottom Profiling)
(Caribbean Sea off the coast of Northern Colombia)
This project was in support a high-resolution seismic survey (sub-bottom profiling) for a proposed channel dredging project. Sea floor borings indicated possible challenges with conventional pipeline dredging. The sub-bottom profiling was completed to provide a more complete picture of the conditions below the sea floor.
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Dive Support for Pipeline Repair
(Gulf of Mexico)
This project consisted of survey support of diving operations to find and repair pipelines. Side scan sonar was utilized to locate and provide preliminary condition data on the pipeline. Precise navigation support was needed for the dive vessel’s station keeping. The project was staged from Louisiana.
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Well Locations in Bays and Estuaries
Permitting requirements for oil & gas drilling, production and transportation activities in bays and estuaries have changed over the years. We have completed the surveying requirements of COE permit 24152 and others for many projects. We work directly with other professionals and the permitting agencies to provide a thorough solution. The result is the elimination of delays in the permitting process.
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Pipeline Corridor - Debris Location, Excavation, and Removal
(Galveston Bay, Texas)
Debris encountered during pipe laying activities may be insignificant or it may delay construction. Following a high resolution hazard survey, side scan targets that were near the pipeline alignment were identified and removed. Significant magnetometer targets were excavated, identified, and removed.
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Transmission Pipelines in Bays and Estuaries
Transmission lines are typically much larger bore and have specific sub-bottom concerns in addition to the standard set of surveying requirements. Projects on transmission lines include route selection, hazard surveys, high resolution seismic, depth of cover, and as-builts.
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Gathering Pipelines in Bays and Estuaries
Decades of laying pipelines in our bays and estuaries have created a unique set of challenges when new pipelines are proposed. Naismith has completed numerous surveys for access, hazard identification, cultural resource investigation, route selection, oyster reef identification and sea grass location.
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Clearance Survey for Ballasting Down a Semisubmersible
(Ingleside, Texas)
A semisubmersible or FPS (Floating Production System) can be ballasted down to rest on the sea floor. The area must be free of any obstructions or items that could damage the hull. Naismith Marine completed side scan sonar and multibeam surveys for the OPTI-EX(TM). Items such as scaffolding and construction debris were located and removed.
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