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Introduction

In this transcript, Sophia Turnock, a master’s student in geological oceanography at the University of South Florida (USF) College of Marine Science, discusses the progress and activities associated with a regional crowdsourced bathymetry program managed by COMET. This meeting involves both in-person and online participants, indicating a collaborative approach to sharing information.

COMET Program Overview

Objectives

  • Data Collection: The primary goal is to utilize vessels of opportunity to collect and map seafloor data accurately.

  • Public Access: Making the collected data accessible to the public is vital for transparency.

  • Interface Development: Creating a model to facilitate interaction between policymakers and the public is aimed at enhancing the decision-making process.

  • Resource Creation: Developing resources for other coastal regions interested in launching similar crowdsourced ventures.

Program Phases

  • Phase 1: Foundations and Relationship Building

    • The initial phase concentrated on establishing connections both within the local community and the international crowdsourced bathymetry (CSB) community.

  • Phase 2: Outreach and Expansion

    • Stakeholder engagement workshops were pivotal in building connections and recruiting participants (vessels) that contribute to data collection.

  • Phase 3: Regional Scale Demonstration

    • This current phase emphasizes demonstrating the effectiveness of the regional crowdsourced imagery program, as noted in Turnock's upcoming focus.

  • No Cost Extension Phase

    • Focus on documenting findings and exploring various case studies, which includes collaboration with local organizations.

Data Collection Efforts

Vessel Participation

  • Participants: Key contributors include Eckert College, Pinellas County Environmental Management, USGS, and Chance Maritime Technologies.

  • Logger Installation Timeline:

    • First two loggers were installed in April 2024, with subsequent installations up to the sixth logger in November 2025.

Data Summary

  • Total soundings contributed to the Digital Coast Database (DCDB) amount to just under 10 million from only six vessels over the span of two years.

  • Acknowledgment of concentrated regional programs is critical, as these data can provide new insights into the seafloor compared to larger but less detailed data sets.

  • The successful data compilation demonstrates advancements in regional mapping efforts, showing features effectively identified through their program.

Data Visualization

Maps and Overlays

  • A map showcases the collected data overlaid by blue topos tiles, but it is noted that the scales of comparison are not identical—importance lies in feature recognition rather than absolute values.

  • A large contribution of soundings is attributed to a single organization, emphasizing the value of engaging stakeholders effectively in the early program phases.

  • The collected data map depicts clear contrasts between existing data and new findings from the program.

Success Metrics

Impact on Local Community

  • The collected dataset demonstrates a considerable impact, visualizing the significant increase in detailed bathymetric information available in the bay.

  • The program has successfully increased data accessibility and relevance for local navigation aids and safety.

No Cost Extension Phase Developments

New Installations and Experiments

  • A logger was added to their own research vessel, the Tocobaga, which enables intercalibration experiments between various bathymetric data sources.

  • Collaboration with the Florida High-tech Corridor resulted in funding for an undergraduate intern to conduct data analysis during the spring semester.

Case Study Insights

  • Summer case studies identified navigable areas not previously charted, marking discrepancies that could have implications for navigation safety.

  • Use of chart analysis tools revealed over 80 chart discrepancies of less than one meter and vulnerabilities in navigation.

Monthly Data Analysis

Intern's Contributions

  • The intern was tasked with breaking down the collected data into monthly increments to observe how bathymetric data changed over time.

  • Potential danger areas for navigation were mapped based on discrepancies noted in the ongoing monitoring of changes over the past months.

Hurricane Impact Assessment

  • Data observed showed ongoing discrepancies, especially in regions affected by the 2024 hurricane season, noting that some areas required resurveying that did not reflect in existing charts mentioned.

Collaborative Discussions

Future of Data Integration

  • Discussion about the future use of S-102 compliant layers within electronic charting systems (ECTIS), where both official and unofficial data might exist in one interface for enhanced user experience.

  • The possibility of having multiple S-102 layers allows users to seamlessly switch between different data sets, enhancing the informational capability of navigation tools while cautioning about the validity of unofficial sources.

Call for Working Group Development

  • Proposal of collaboration between working groups to promote more integrated systems leveraging both official and crowdsourced data is highlighted.

  • Current limits in signing and validating datasets create challenges in meeting compliance standards, suggesting a need for progress in operational mechanisms for unofficial datasets.

Conclusion

Sophia Turnock’s presentation outlines the foundational work and ongoing activities within the COMET program, emphasizing the pivotal role of crowdsourced data in enhancing navigation safety and community resource availability. The discussion also opens avenues for future improvements in data sharing and technology integration, paving the way for more comprehensive marine management practices.