Marine Geospatial Clients

Supporting the Marine Industry

Maritime Authorities

For maritime authorities, IKONOS® stereo imagery can be used to develop optimum vessel traffic patterns in coastal estuaries and harbor approaches. Changes to bathymetry and the validation of bathymetry can be enhanced by imagery, which can “see” underwater up to 20 meters. This same information can form the foundation for creating or enhancing S-57/DX-90 Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs), and is suitable for International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) medium- to large-scale charts of 1:2 million or larger.

Port and Harbor Authorities

For port and harbor authorities, IKONOS stereo imagery can be exploited to optimize Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) systems. For cargo and passenger operators, stereo imagery can supplement ground surveys, and it can be used to compare as-built against to-build plans. Structures such as berths, wharfs, terminals, container facilities, break-bulk facilities, moorings, and breakwaters can be identified with multi-spectral imagery. Changes detected in new imagery can be captured and sent to the user community at these facilities as graphical Notices to Mariners (NM). This would be suitable for IHO small-scale charts of less than 1:2 million.

Electronic Chart and Display Information Systems

In congested, high-traffic waterways, small changes in coastlines or facilities may cause disruptions to established navigation patterns. For manufacturers of commercial and recreational moving-map display systems, IKONOS imagery can be used to produce new or updated S-57 charts to reflect changes in local construction or dredging.

Visual Simulation Databases for Training

For navigator and harbor-pilot training, orthorectified, tonally balanced and mosaicked IKONOS imagery is the foundation for visual simulation databases. Integrating this information with coastline, port, and facility models and objects, GeoEye can deliver complete visual simulation databases or components thereof. This is appropriate for all levels of bridge and harbor-pilot training, and for reconstructing marine accidents for training purposes.

Note: All products currently available from IKONOS in 1-meter resolution will be available from the GeoEye-1 satellite in .41-meter resolution (.5-meter for commercial customers) since its' launch on Sept. 6, 2008.