CSA Ocean Sciences Inc. (CSA), a marine environmental consulting and survey company, recently completed a challenging multidisciplinary geophysical and benthic survey as part of an ongoing marine cable route campaign for a major telecommunications company.

The project, mobilized in South Florida, utilized the Guice Offshore 150’ class Dynamic Positioning (DP)1 supply vessel GO Freedom equipped with a stern A-frame. CSA installed the survey equipment, winches, control van, side pole, and auxiliary power systems. Side-scan sonar and marine magnetometer data were collected along the east Florida coastline, running through the heart of the Gulf Stream in water depths ranging from 10 meters to 1,000 meters.

CSA’s onboard marine scientist identified specific areas of interest from the processed geophysical data and devised an in situ sample plan to conduct benthic grabs of the seabed. Following benthic sampling along the route, CSA surveyors deployed a proprietary Deep Tow Video System (DTVS) to collect high-definition video of the seafloor flora and fauna.

“This combined environmental and geophysical survey was ideally suited to CSA and is representative of our multidisciplinary marine survey capabilities,” stated Kevin Peterson, CSA’s CEO. “Very few companies can deliver this unique service to the telecom industry, combining both scientific and geophysical services in simultaneous operations. The east coast of Florida is a challenging environment with deep water and extreme currents, so an efficient operation is imperative to minimizing costs and exposure.”

CSA is already planning for additional campaigns of a similar scope. The company is actively growing its presence in the geophysical survey market and is recruiting geophysical surveyors and technicians to better serve its diverse range of clients from its regional offices in the United States and overseas.