MCA CHP Backscatter Data: HI1868 Needles Channel Survey

Maritime and Coastguard Agency Civil Hydrography Programme data includes acoustic backscatter mosaics and natural feature shapefiles from survey HI1868. The data was collected using Kongsberg EM2040D and Norbit iWBMS multibeam systems aboard the vessels Northern Gale and Northern Remote. Data and records were verified by the UK Hydrographic Office and are managed by the British Geological Survey.

Use Cases

• Classify seabed sediment types based on acoustic backscatter intensity.
• Map natural seabed features based on provided shapefiles.
• Analyze seabed roughness and texture from backscatter mosaics.
• Support nautical charting and hazard identification for the Needles Channel area.

Strengths

• Data is verified by the authoritative UK Hydrographic Office.
• Specifies the survey identifier (HI1868) and the specific vessels and multibeam systems used for collection.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count and file size are unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.

Provenance

Source

British Geological Survey (BGS), collected for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency Civil Hydrography Programme.

Collection Method

Acoustic multibeam survey using Kongsberg EM2040D and Norbit iWBMS systems.

Time Range

null

Freshness

Last updated 2026-04-09 08:35:14.169919; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Needles Channel (implied from survey title HI1868 Needles Channel).