Hierarchical hydrographic data fusion for precise Port Electronic Navigational Chart production

Abstract

One of crucial problems in the process of precise Port Electronic Navigational Chart (Port ENC) production is the seabed objects charting. General knowledge about the underwater objects is very important for the improvement in navigational safety, especially important in harbour areas. The article presents the concept of hierarchical hydrographic data fusion from different hydrographical sources for seabed object`s detection. Simultaneous processing of 3D seabed model obtained by measuring the water depths, sonar mosaicked images (illustrating the seabed characteristic) and the magnetic anomalies map could be remarkably helpful for discrimination of ferrous features, establishing their highly precise positions and to determine their placing characteristics. An attempt to integrate all the above is expected to provide a significant enhancement of the interpretation of the whole context of the seabed situation. The image obtained from hydrographic data will be much more helpful than considering all acquired information separately as individual data sets. This approach is believed to be of great importance for Port ENC production process.