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NOAA, an environmental science agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce, is responsible for surveying coastal waters for the production of the nation’s nautical charts.

The NOAA hydrographic survey ships Rude and Whiting have been deployed to assist the Coast Guard in the search operations. Both ships specialize in locating on the seafloor submerged wrecks and obstructions to navigation using side-scan sonar (SSS) technology . Housed in a small torpedo-shaped bell called a “fish,” the SSS provides an accurate acoustical image of the bottom extending up to 600 meters on each side of the ship. The actual amount of bottom coverage acquired by the SSS is dependent upon the depth of water, the towfish height above the ocean bottom, and specific water characteristics. During typical survey operations in depths between 10 and 60 meters, a 200-meter wide bottom swath can be examined as the SSS fish is towed slowly astern. SSS creates a map-view image. Differential Global Positioning System receivers use satellites to position the ships within five meters (17 ft.); conductivity, temperature and depth (CTD) probes determine sound velocity through water to correct depth soundings.

Though both ships have the same primary function, Rude and Whiting have differing characteristics. The 90-foot Rude carries a multi-beam sonar, which acquires a fan-shaped swath of depth data from 40 sounding beams at once, 13 times a second, and gives precision depths and positions over a narrower swath. This technology creates a clearer picture than provided by SSS, and is used to clarify significant objects picked up by SSS. The 163-foot Whiting carries two survey launches equipped with SSS, thereby tripling its production capacity. In addition, Whiting carries a high-speed SSS system, enabling the ship to operate at 10 knots instead of the four-five knots of Rude, and cover about 16 sq. miles per 24 hours. Rude can cover about eight sq. miles every 24 hours.

In summary:

Rude:
• 90-ft. hydrographic survey ship
• Carries both side-scan sonar and multibeam sonar
• Covers about eight sq. miles every 24 hours, traveling at four to five knots
• Under command of Lt. Cmdr. James Verlaque, NOAA Commissioned Corps
• Home ported in Norfolk, Va. Was working out of Montauk, Long Island, at time of accident

Whiting:
• 163-ft. hydrographic survey ship
• Carries high speed side-scan sonar
• Covers about 16 sq. miles every 24 hours, traveling at 10 knots
• Carries two launches with side-scan sonar, tripling its production capacity
• Under command of Lt. Cmdr. Gerd Glang, NOAA Commissioned Corps
• Home ported in Norfolk, Va. Was working out of Delaware Bay at time of accident.
Rude and Whiting are operated and managed by the Office of NOAA Corps Operations, composed both of civilians and officers of the NOAA Corps, the nation’s seventh uniformed service.

Contact: Jeanne Kouhestani (202) 482-0415 or 482-6090; Barbara Semedo (202) 482-5647