Geographic Information Systems are now being utilized at FUGRO OSAE along several levels. A GIS is essentially a scaled-down, electronic version of features of the earth, whether natural or man-made, represented in layers or collections of like features.

GIS display with multibeam data overlaying an ENC (Click image to enlarge - 650k)

One layer might consist of submarine telecommunication cables, active and out of service, which we might want to overlay with another layer, world countries for example. Depending on the level of accuracy of each data layer, we could zoom in to find positions or locations of features. With GIS tools (and other data layers) we could also determine such things as depths, distances, lengths, as well as calculate statistics and perform queries.

Databases are also an integral part of GIS allowing the possibility to search the database based on map features, or vice-versa, find map features based upon database queries.

FUGRO OSAE uses GIS for planning purposes. Not only are many of Fugro's previous surveys archived into a GIS database, but so are many of the world's submarine telecom cables. Overlaying a planned cable route over existing cables and detailed hydrographic ENC's (electronic nautical charts), we can help our clients choose the best route, the best landings, and plan the seafloor survey based on water depths.

GIS is used for survey line planning (Click image to enlarge - 800k)

FUGRO OSAE also utilizes GIS as a data delivery method to clients. Prespecified data formats can be accommodated for simple incorporation into their GIS databases. If required, FUGRO OSAE can provide custom GIS services as well.

Fugro has offices that are ESRI Developer Certified Business Partners which have created ArcGIS® extensions specifically for our line of business enabling us to efficiently plan, edit, archive, map, and export our GIS data.