ORLANDO, Fla. (January 28, 2010)… Woolpert announced today that the firm has completed an airborne bathymetric Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data acquisition off the coast of Grand Bahama, Abaco and Exuma.

Teaming with strategic partner Pelydryn, Woolpert collected airborne bathymetric data to support a new generation of digital nautical charts for the leisure boating industry. Pelydryn’s cutting-edge technology, the HawkEye II was used for the data collection. The HawkEye II is an airborne bathymetric and topographic LiDAR system that provides fast and accurate surveying of shallow waters, shorelines and coastal areas. The airborne bathymetric LiDAR data is being collected for water depths ranging from approximately zero to fifty meters.

“Teaming with Pelydryn, Woolpert is able to provide complete coastal mapping solutions on projects such as this,” said Jeff Lovin, Woolpert vice president and director of geospatial services. “This project exemplifies our ability to work as a team to successfully acquire and process airborne bathymetric LiDAR data.”

“The data produced from this project will contribute to safer navigation for the small boat owner and leisure user,” said Peter Hobson, managing director of Pelydryn.

Much of the area we covered has never been systematically surveyed with modern equipment. Using an airborne sensor allows us to cover a large area in a short time. This collaboration between our two companies significantly widens and enriches the mapping of our shoreline and coastal environment; this is good news for our clients but it also plays a role in the promotion of global ecology.”

Processing and analysis of the data is currently ongoing.

Pelydryn is a LiDAR hydrographic survey company founded by former UK National Hydrographer, Dr. Wyn Williams.


About Woolpert
Woolpert, ranked by Engineering News-Record as a top national design firm, provides professional engineering, architecture, planning, enterprise information management, water management, surveying, and photogrammetry and remote sensing services to clients in the public and private sectors. Founded in 1911, Woolpert’s innovative design approach and commitment to the creative application of technology have grown the firm into a leader in the consulting industry. With nearly 700 professionals in 22 offices located throughout the U.S., Woolpert’s collaborative and multidisciplinary approach is driven by great people, great clients and great projects.

About Pelydryn
Pelydryn is a new generation LiDAR coastal zone hydrographic survey company. Formed to enhance data holdings and improve and develop hydrographic capacity, Pelydryn presents a unique combination of the finest skills and experience of some of the world’s leading experts, including former Hydrographer of the UK Navy, David Lye, and the use of today’s most cutting edge technology in LiDAR survey. Founded by former UK National Hydrographer, Dr. Wyn Williams, Pelydryn offers a unique end-to-end service which provides high density survey data with unmatched speed, accuracy and affordability. Pelydryn also provides hydrographic expertise and solutions to help its clients plan, manage and grow hydrographic capability and capacity.