Fleet survey team report of survey

FLEET SURVEY TEAM
REPORT OF SURVEY

General Area	Nicaragua – East Coast – Caribbean Sea
Name of Survey	Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua
Archive #	09NU01
Unit Name	Fleet Survey Team
Hydrographer in Charge	Mr. Ian Fergusson
Survey Start Date	18 October 2008
Survey End Date	30 November 2008

UNCLASSIFIED

DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT D

DISTRIBUTION AUTHORIZED TO: THE GOVERNMENT OF NICARAGUA, DOD AND U.S. DOD CONTRACTORS ONLY. FOREIGN GOVERNMENT INFORMATION: 18 OCTOBER 2008. THIS INFORMATION MAY NOT BE RELEASED TO A THIRD COUNTRY / PARTY WITHOUT PRIOR APPROVAL. U.S. REQUESTS SHALL BE REFERRED TO THE COMMANDING OFFICER, FLEET SURVEY TEAM / NAVAL OCEANOGRAPHIC OFFICE AND THE GOVERNMENT OF NICARAGUA.

FLEET SURVEY TEAM

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, MISSISSIPPI

REPORT OF SURVEY

ARCHIVE # 09NU01
Country: Nicaragua
Area: Puerto Cabezas
Dates of Survey: 18 October – 30 November 2008
Archive #: 09NU01
Charts:

NGA DNC: DNC 14 Caribbean Sea

H1409760 Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua

NGA Chart : 28104 Puerto Cabezas and Approaches

Nicaraguan Chart: NIC 003 Puerto Cabezas and Approaches
Sailing Directions: NGA PUB Pub 148, Caribbean Sea, Vol II, 2008

Sector 5, Sub Sector 5.39

World Port Index: 9760 PUERTO CABEZAS
List of Lights: NGA PUB 110 (Light #16484 )
Horizontal Datum: WGS 84
Projection: Transverse Mercator
Grid: Universal Transverse Mercator, Zone 17 N
Sounding Datum: Mean Low Water Springs (MLWS)
Vertical Datum: Mean Sea Level (MSL)
23 FEB 2009

MEMORANDUM

From: Mr. Ian Fergusson, Hydrographer in Charge, Plans Department Head

To: Commanding Officer, Fleet Survey Team

Via: Plans Department

Subj: INTERNATIONAL HYDROGRAPHIC ORGANIZATION SURVEY ORDER RECOMMENDATION FOR SURVEY 09NU01

1. Recommend that survey Archive Number 09NU01 as submitted be accepted as meeting International Hydrographic Organization Order 1a survey standards in accordance with IHO Special Publication 44, Fifth Edition (2008). All data as noted in the following report meets or exceeds the requirement for IHO Order 1a Survey.

.

MR. IAN FERGUSSON

Hydrographer in Charge

2. Recommend that survey Archive Number 09NU01 as submitted be accepted and distributed in accordance with Technical Specifications 09NU01.

LCDR M. SALAZAR

PLANS Department

Fleet Survey Team

3. Concur with recommendation and approve release of survey data in accordance with Technical Specification 09NU01.

CDR R. R. DELGADO

Commanding Officer,

Fleet Survey Team

SURVEY TEAM

Name	Qualification	Dates	Position
Mr. Ian Fergusson	ACSM Certified	15 Oct to 12 Nov 08	Hydrographer in Charge
LT Travis Clem	Hydrographer, Cat A	18 Oct to 30 Nov 08	Hydrographer in Charge (U/I)
Mr. A. J. Pearson	Hydrographer	15 Oct to 12 Nov 08	Data Manager
AG3 Andrew Jackson	Technician/Coxswain	18 Oct to 30 Nov 08	Coxswain/ Survey Assistant
Mr. Jerry Worth	Electronic Technician	15 Oct to 17 Nov 08	Electronic Technician
AG2 Joshua Clark	Survey Technician	18 Oct to 30 Nov 08	Data Collection
AGAN Lydia Carr	Survey Technician	18 Oct to 17 Nov 08	Data Collection

STATISTICS

PRIMARY DATA COLLECTION	MILEAGE	REMARKS
SBES Puerto Cabezas Area	354.5 LNM	200 kHz, 20m Line Spacing
SSS Puerto Cabezas Area	144.25 LNM	Klein 3000 40m Line Spacing 30m Swath Done in conjunction with SBES
TOTAL	354.5 LNM	Note: SSS data collection done in conjunction with SBES collection

DATA TYPE	GOOD	BAD	TOTAL	REMARKS
Bottom Samples	12	0	12
CTD Casts	26	7	33	2x Daily except for JD 297, 299, 301, 302, 307, 308 and 309.
Kinematic Shoreline (km)	3.161	0	3.161	Collected with the NAVCOM SF2040G receiver.
Weather Observations	28	0	28	Daily Observations
Tidal Data Station	31 days	0	31 days	Collected 31 continuous days of Tidal Data at Puerto Cabezas.

DATA DELIVERED	NUMBER	SCALE	REMARKS
Final Smooth Sheet	1	1 : 6,000	The Government of Nicaragua, NGA, COMUSNAVSOUTH and NAVOCEANO

DAY COUNT

Action	NUMBER	REMARKS
Mobilization Days	5	Includes removal of vessel from C-130, craning into water, equipment set-up and initial area outline.
Bathymetric Data Collection Days	16	On water days Collecting Bathymetry
Ancillary Data Collection Days	8	Tide Gauge Install and Removal, NAVCOM Static Test, Bottom Samples, ATONs, Shorelining
Days Lost to Boat Casualty	3	Broken Generator, Boat Shift Cable, and Water in Gas
Days Lost to Weather	5	Days of Bathymetry Collection Lost Due to High Winds and/or Seas. Data Processing and Ancillary Data Collection continued despite Weather that prohibited Bathymetric Data Collection.
Decommissioning	3	MB removal and gear pack out
Days Lost Awaiting Travel	12	Awaiting EPN to release Barge from Bluefields.
Total Days on Site	44	Departed Stennis 18 OCT 08 and Departed Bluefields 30 NOV 08

REPORT OF SURVEY CONTENTS

1. 
   General ………………………………………………………………………………... 10
   
   1. 
      Requirements.....................................................................................................10
      
   2. 
      Survey Area and Objectives …………………………………………………. 10
      
   3. 
      Elements Affecting Survey Operations ………………………………….…...10
      

2. 
   Geodetic Control …………………………………………………………………….. 11
   
   1. 
      Datum …………………………………………………………………………11
      
   2. 
      Geodetic Control Existing and Established………………………………….. 11
      
   3. 
      Shoreline Delineation………………………………………………………… 11
      

3. 
   Data Acquisition and Processing Systems …………………………………………. 11
   
   1. 
      Data Acquisition Systems …………………………………………………… 11
      
   2. 
      Data Processing Systems ……………………………………………………. 12
      

4. 
   Calibration and Vessel Configuration……………………………………………..... 12
   
   1. 
      Horizontal Positioning Systems.................………………………………….. 12
      
   2. 
      Vessel System Calibration................................................................................ 12
      
   3. 
      Hydrographic Survey Platform Configuration …………………………….... 13
      
   4. 
      Side Scan Sonar Configuration……………………………………………..... 13
      
   5. 
      Sound Velocity Adjustments …………………………………………………13
      

5. 
   Tides, Tide Gauges and Sounding Datum…………………………………………... 14
   
   1. 
      Establishment of Tidal Datum……………………………………………….. 14
      
   2. 
      Tide Gauge to Staff Comparison...................………………………………... 14
      
   3. 
      Tidal Datum Comparison …………………….……………………………... 14
      
   4. 
      Tide Gauge Malfunctions ………………………….………………………... 15
      

6. 
   Sounding Development........................……………………………………………….. 15
   
   1. 
      Harbors, Approaches and Anchorages……………………………………….. 15
      
   2. 
      Sounding Selection…………………………………………………………... 15
      

7. 
   Crosscheck Analysis..................................………………………………………….... 15
   
   1. 
      Harbors, Approaches and Anchorages…………………………………...….. 15
      
   2. 
      Crosscheck Comparisons……………………………….……….……..…….. 15
      

8. 
   Agreement with Existing Charts ………………………………….………………… 16
   
   1. 
      NAVAIDS.............…………………………………………...…………….... 16
      
   2. 
      Pier ....................……………………………………………………………... 16
      
   3. 
      Agreement with Prior Surveys.......................................................................... 16
      

9. 
   Charted and Uncharted Wrecks and Obstructions ……………………………….. 16
   
   1. 
      Charted Wrecks and Obstructions …………………………………………... 16
      
   2. 
      Uncharted Wrecks and Obstructions ………………………………………... 16
      

10. 
    Charted and Uncharted Lights, NAVAIDs, Buoys and Piers …………………...... 16
    
    1. 
       Survey of Lights....................................……………………………………… 16
       
    2. 
       Position of Buoys ……………………………………………………………. 17
       

11. 
    Sailing Directions and Nomenclature…...............…………………………………... 17
    
    1. 
       General ......................……………………………………………………...… 17
       
    2. 
       Landmarks ................ ………………………………………………………... 17
       
    3. 
       Anchorage and Moorings .................................................................................17
       

12. 
    Seabed Topography and Bottom Samples ………………………………….…...…. 17
    
    1. 
       Seabed Topography …………………………………………………..………18
       
    2. 
       Seabed Samples........................……………………………………………….18
       

13. 
    Coastline, Topography, Conspicuous Objects………...……………………………18
    
    1. 
       Coastline Positioning …..........………………………………………………. 18
       
    2. 
       Beach Morphology…………………………………………………………… 18
       
    3. 
       Man Made Facilities ......……………………………………………………..18
       

14. 
    Ancillary Observations………………………………………………………………. 18
    
    1. 
       Meteorological Data………………………....……………………………….. 18
       

15. 
    Summary………………………………………………………………………............ 18
    
    1. 
       Summary……………………………………………………………................18
       
    2. 
       Hydrographers Recommendation......................................................................18
       

APPENDICES:
A Technical Specifications and Survey Area Graphics

B Daily Weather Log

C Seabed Features, Wreck Contacts and Side Scan Sonar Mosaic

D Navigation Aids Log and Photographs

E Bottom Sample Location Graphic, Log (M Sheet) and Laboratory Analysis

F Level Line Results, Tide Processing Constituents and Tidal Information Boxes

G Horizontal Geodetic Calibration and Vessel Configuration Calibration Results

H List of Data Collection and Processing Equipment

I List of Data Collection and Processing Software

J Geodetic Station Location Graphic, Calculations and Results

K CTD Location Graphic, CTD Log and Summaries

L Cross-Check Analysis and Statistics

M Sailing Directions and Port Index

N Daily Narrative and Operational Time Line

1. 
   General
   

1. 
   Requirements: The primary objective of this survey operation was to collect environmental and navigational data in the port of Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua in accordance with Oceanographic, Hydrographic and Bathymetric 2008 requirements and Technical Specifications 09NU01 (Appendix A). The products generated from this survey will support the safe navigation of ships in this area through the updating of nautical charts. NGA 2006 assessment: Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua Chart 28104 is based on 1974 NAVOCEANO survey, recommend resurvey. The survey further supports the Theater Security Cooperation (TSC) objectives of USSOUTHCOM. The extents of survey operations, area graphics and Technical Specifications are given in Appendix A.
   

2. 
   Survey Area and Objectives: The area surveyed is within the territorial waters of Nicaragua. The survey area was Puerto Cabezas pier and approach to the 10m contour line. See Appendix A for area graphics and area coordinates. All areas were surveyed to International Hydrographic Organization Order 1a standards. Real-time water level data were collected (see Appendix F) and tidal corrections were applied to all soundings. Current charts indicate four known wrecks or hazards. Three wrecks were identified during survey operations. Locations of wrecks will not be the same as several hurricanes have been through the area since last surveyed. Navigation aids in the survey area were verified and the results are contained in Appendix D.
   

3. 
   Elements Affecting Survey Operations
   

1. 
   Weather: Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua has a tropical climate affected by the Caribbean Sea as well as the Mountains to the east and north. Low pressure systems passing to the north yielded northerly winds and seas for most of the survey. The strength of these winds varied from light and variable to gusts of 24 knots at their peak. Weather impacted collection early in the survey until the decision to shift line direction to account for direction of winds and seas. Once completed, the new lines allowed for data collection in winds and sea states previously thought unacceptable. Thus, the days of bathymetry data collection lost to weather are seen to be less in severity than some of the following days. See Appendix B for daily weather observations.
   

2. 
   Local Elements: Small fishing vessels were moored and active in the area surrounding the pier and approach. Also, small two to three man canoes were fishing in the vicinity of the pier and approaches. Canoes were also the mode of transportation between moored fishing vessels and shore. Small open sail boats are frequently used to transport goods and people to and from Puerto Cabezas. Shipping traffic rarely affected data collection; however, the local fishing fleet did hamper data collection due to anchor line considerations for side scan data collection as well as line obstruction. Fishing and lobster boats were anchored out to the east and north of the pier. These vessels had to be moved out of the area by the Port Authority officials in order to collect data. Additionally, most vessels conducting business pier-side were moored on the southern side of the pier due to the prevailing northerly winds and current.
   
   
   

2. 
   Geodetic Control
   

1. 
   Datums:
   

1. 
   Horizontal Datum: World Geodetic System 1984 (WGS 84)
   

2. 
   Projection Grid: Universal Transverse Mercator, North Zone 17
   (84W – 78W)
   

3. 
   Vertical Datum: Mean Sea Level (MSL)
   

4. 
   Sounding Datum: Mean Low Water Springs (MLWS)
   

2. 
   Geodetic Control Existing and Established: The survey team used the NAVCOM 2040G system for all geodetic positioning including shoreline and land based NAVAID’s of the survey. Two geodetic control points from the Instituto Nicaragüense de Estudios Territoriales (INETER) exist in the local area of Puerto Cabezas; Team Labeled points INETER BM1 and INETER BM2 . The team installed three additional control points BM1-BM2-BM3.
   

1. 
   Existing Control Points: INETER-BM1 and INETER-BM2 had 6 hours of RINEX data collected on each point and the data submitted to NOAA’s Online Positioning User Service (OPUS). Results from these points are listed along with description and station details in Appendix J.
   

2. 
   New Control Points: The Team established Benchmarks closer to the pier along the sea wall adjacent to the Nicaraguan Naval Base. These Bench Marks, labeled BM1, BM2 and BM3, are steel bolts epoxyed into the concrete wall. 6 hours of RINEX data was collected on each point and the data submitted to NOAA’s OPUS to acquire final data solutions listed in Appendix J.
   

3. 
   Shoreline: GPS points along the shoreline and pier were captured in ASCII format using the NAVCOM 2040G receiver and the Rugged Reader and were downloaded into CARIS GIS software for display on the smooth sheet. Approximately 3.16 kilometer of shoreline was delineated with the NAVCOM SF2040G receiver and input to CARIS GIS for shoreline representation.
   
   
   

3. 
   Data Acquisition Systems
   

1. 
   Data Acquisition Systems: The ODOM Echotrac CV200 and TSS DMS-25 Heave/Pitch Compensator experienced no significant problems in collection; however, heave/pitch compensator showed a 45 second delay. Data collection software systems used for single beam was HYPACK 6.2b. Heave error induced due to large period swells and was mitigated by adjusting survey speed and adjustment of main scheme orientation. A list of all systems used in Data Collection can be seen in Appendix H.
   

2. 
   Data Processing Systems: Data processing was performed using CARIS HIPS and SIPS 6.1. The data was ingested in CARIS HIPS for initial cleaning, filtering and application of tides, sound velocity, total propagated error and true heave as well as verification of navigation and attitude. The final edited data was returned to HIPS and then exported to CARIS GIS for smooth sheet production. No significant problems were experienced with the systems used for data processing. A list of all software used in Data Processing can be seen in Appendix I.
   

4. 
   Calibration and Vessel Configuration
   

1. 
   Horizontal Positioning Systems: The NAVCOM SF2050M GPS system provided all horizontal positioning for the survey vessel. A 24 hour static accuracy test was conducted on 28 OCT 08, referenced to BM1. A full test failed due to signal disruption caused by passing traffic, however, 11 hours of continuous data was observed and processed in SA Watch, see Horizontal Calibration Check (Appendix G). System compared to OPUS derived position for BM1 (see Appendix J) with 0.4m error at 99% confidence level (see Appendix G).
   

2. 
   Vessel System Calibration
   

1. 
   GPS System: A standard latency test on the navigation system was conducted using HYPACK 6.2b with a latency of 0.30 seconds determined from averaging 8 runs across a known target. This value (0.30) was entered into the CARIS Vessel Configuration File (hvf) for this vessel (Appendix G).
   

2. 
   Echosounder: The singlebeam echosounder depth accuracy was confirmed daily against lead line readings. An average value of 0.6m below waterline was applied throughout the project as variances’ were within 0.02m of this value. The CARIS waterline height was then determined by subtracting the static transducer draft measurements from the Z offset between the transducer and the TSS DMS-25 (-1.984 m) and was subsequently entered in the CARIS vessel configuration file. Results of the static transducer draft measurements and CARIS waterline calculations can be seen in Appendix G.
   

3. 
   TSS DMS-25: The TSS DMS-25 Heave, Pitch Compensator was used as the vessel reference point (0, 0, 0 point) and all measurements were taken from it. Using CARIS Calibration tool and three passes over a known object it was determined that the DMS-25 had a latency error of -0.45 seconds. This value was placed in the vessel configuration file as seen in Appendix G.
   

3. 
   Hydrographic Survey Platform Configuration: The survey was conducted on the FST 9m RHIB “RIVER RAT”. Sensor offsets and positions can be seen in Appendix G. Those results were entered in the vessel configuration file and are also presented in Appendix G.
   

Device	Horizontal Lever Arm	Fore / Aft Port / Starboard	Vertical Lever Arm	Above Water Line / Below Water Line	Notes
NAVCOM Antenna	0.10m	Aft (-)	1.984m	Above (+)
	0.20m	Port (-)
Heave / Pitch Compensator	0.00m	Forward (+)	0.000m	Above (+)
	0.00m	Port (-)
Transducer	0.12m	Stbd (+)	1.184m	Below Ref
	-2.344m	Aft (-)	0.6m	Below Water Line	DRAFT

4. 
   Side Scan Sonar Configuration: Klein 3000 Side Scan Sonar system was used throughout the project, with cable out being measured using the 3PS digital block. The 3PS digital block experienced problems dealing with the slacking and taut due to pitch. This was compensated for by manual input of line out for SSS, using the position of the 3PS block as reference point.
   

Device	Horizontal	Fore / Aft Port / Starboard	Vertical	Above Water Line / Below Water Line	Notes
3PS Digital block	-4.4m	Aft (-)	1.50m	Above (+)
	0.0m	Centerline

5. 
   Sound Velocity Adjustment: SV profiles were obtained by a Seabird SBE-19 CTD. Casts were conducted twice daily (exceptions being JD 297, 299, 301, 302, 307, 308, and 309). Details of all SV data collection can be found in Appendix K. Sound Velocity adjustments were entered into CARIS as SVP files, copy is in Appendix K. Table below represents the Average – Maximum –Minimum – Median and Standard Deviation of the CTD datasets (see Appendix K for details). Fresh water on the surface due to heavy thunderstorm precipitation is the bulk of the changes noted as there were no River or Lagoon inlets to change the water chemistry.
   
   
   

AVERAGE	MAX	MIN	Median	STDEV
1535.2427	1541.26	1530.81	1533.505	2.559778
1535.2865	1541.60	1530.80	1533.540	2.634750
1535.3615	1542.95	1530.83	1533.550	2.731148
1534.8457	1541.16	1530.86	1533.360	2.765246
1534.1328	1541.20	1530.90	1533.230	2.240970
1533.4227	1538.72	1530.93	1533.110	1.995389
1533.1608	1538.92	1530.96	1532.655	2.086456
1532.6056	1534.50	1530.96	1532.120	1.111869
1533.1383	1534.52	1530.97	1533.280	1.208560
1532.3800	1533.77	1530.99	1532.380	1.965757

5. 
   Tides, Tide Gauges and Sounding Datum
   

1. 
   Establishment of Tidal Datum: An In-Situ vented Tide Gauge was installed onto a three meter Tide Staff hard mounted on to the pier piling (N 14° 01’ 00” / W 083° 22’ 00”). Continuous data was collected for a duration of 31 days. The Chart Datum is Mean Low Water Springs (MLWS) and was determined from NAVOTAS least squares solution. Details of MLWS determination can be seen in Appendix F. All manipulations and downloads of data from the In-Situ Tide Gauge were done
   

through Win-Situ 5.0. Tide Gauge Zero was tied to the WGS 84 Ellipsoid by a three

wire leveling run referenced to BM1. BM1 was tied to the WGS 84 Ellipsoid by a

24 hour static test using a NAVCOM SF2050M. All soundings are reduced to

sounding datum (MLWS). See Appendix F for additional information.

2. 
   Tide Gauge to Staff Comparison: After installation of the Tide Gauge, a 3 hour comparison between observed readings and those readings recorded by the gauge every 6 minutes were made to ensure that the gauge was working properly. Observed and gauge readings did not differ more than +/-3 cm.
   

3. 
   Tidal Datum Comparison: NAVOTAS Tide Datum results were compared to Admiralty Total Tides for Puerto Cabezas with the following results.
   

Diurnal	Admiralty Value	Mixed Tide Prevailing Semi-Diurnal	NAVOTAS
Mean Higher High Water	0.50m	Mean High Water Springs	0.40m
Mean Lower High Water	0.20m	Mean High Water Neaps	0.30m
Mean Sea Level	0.21m	Mean Sea Level	0.21m
Mean Higher Low Water	0.20m	Mean Low Water Neaps	0.10m
Mean Lower Low Water	0.00m	Mean Low Water Springs	0.00m

4. 
   Tide Gauge Malfunctions: None.
   

6. 
   Sounding Development
   

1. 
   Harbors, Approaches and Anchorages: The main survey development line plan was oriented 039º/219º with a single beam line spacing of 20 meters, SSS line spacing of 40 meters and surveyed at approximately 6.0 knots. HYPACK 6.2b was used to record all data from the ODOM CV200. A TSS DMS-25 Heave/Pitch Compensator sent data at 1 Hz to HYPACK. GPS data from the NAVCOM SF2050M receiver was sent to HYPACK at 1 Hz.
   

6.1.1. Target Investigations: Target investigations were performed on an unmarked

wreck and two marked wrecks to find least depth. The area of the unmarked

wreck was driven with a line spacing of 2 meters oriented 062º/242º and

surveyed at approximately 4.0 knots. A wreck site marked with a yellow can

buoy was likewise investigated oriented 035º/215º and alternately 127º/307º

with a line spacing of 2 meters and surveyed at approximately 4.0 knots. The

last target investigation was of a wreck site marked by a yellow spherical buoy.

Investigation plan was oriented 126º/306º with a line spacing of 2 meters and

surveyed at approximately 4.0 knots.

2. 
   Sounding Selection: CARIS HIPS version 6.1 was used to determine least depth soundings. CARIS HIPS applied shoal-biased sounding selection with a 0.5 meter bin. Further suppression of soundings was conducted within CARIS GIS version 4.4a. All suppressions of sounding retained the shoalest soundings.
   

7. 
   Crosscheck Analysis
   

1. 
   Harbors, Approaches and Anchorages: The crosscheck survey line plan was oriented 126°/306°, spaced at 400 meters and surveyed at approximately 6.0 knots. Data recording was identical to development line recording in 6.1. above.
   

2. 
   Crosscheck Comparisons: Crosscheck line soundings were compared to development line soundings visually using CARIS HIPS 6.1 subset editor and mathematically using the quality control verification tool to ensure IHO standard required accuracies. The QC tool showed that 95% of the crosschecks met IHO Order 1a standards. All crosscheck comparison details and results can be seen in Appendix L.
   
   

Number of Points Max (+) Min (-) Mean Std Dev Special Order Order 1a

94433 1.489 1.074 0.104 0.210 77.1 % 96.4 %

8. 
   Agreement with Existing Charts Existing charts are NGA DNC 14 Caribbean Sea, DNC H0146280 Puerto Cabezas; NGA Chart 28104, Puerto Cabezas and Approaches and Nicaraguan Chart 003.
   

1. 
   NAVAIDs: Positions of existing NAVAIDs within the survey area were obtained. Bragman Bluff light is no longer in service as it does not exist. The replacement light was positioned and characteristics obtained through observation. Additionally, two buoys previously not charted were positioned over known wrecks. See Appendix D.
   

2. 
   Approach: The approach area was comparable to the NGA Chart 28104 (Nicaraguan Chart 003) and the NGA DNC H0146280 with the following exceptions: Surveyed positions and disposition of wrecks differ between the paper and digital charts. See Appendix D.
   

3. 
   Pier: The location and orientation of the pier on both the paper and digital nautical charts disagree with the survey position of the pier. The pier is currently under construction and has a portion that is totally collapsed. Furthermore, the extent of the pier is longer than previously documented. The pier was marked using kinematic shoreline procedures out to the point that could still be reached on foot. The full extent of the pier was collected by side scan to include the collapsed portion not visible from the surface. The pilings at the outermost extent were also documented by side scan. See Appendix D.
   

4. 
   Agreement with Prior Surveys: No prior survey data is available, therefore no comparisons could be made by the survey team.
   

9. 
   Charted and Uncharted Wrecks and Obstructions
   

1. 
   Charted Wrecks and Obstructions: Four charted wrecks were on the paper chart and DNC. Three wrecks and no other significant obstructions were observed within the survey area. The three wrecks were thoroughly investigated for least depths and position using SBES and SSS, See Appendix C.
   

2. 
   Uncharted Wrecks and Obstructions: There were no uncharted wrecks or obstructions observed in the area.
   

10. 
    Charted and Uncharted Lights, NAVAIDs, Buoys and Piers
    

1. 
   Survey of Lights: The survey of Puerto Cabezas light, and pier was conducted using the NAVCOM SF2040G GPS receiver. A list of all Charted and Navigational Aids with their photographs can be seen in Appendix D.
   

2. 
   Position of Buoys: No buoys were previously charted; however, two buoys were located within the survey area. See Appendix D for position and pictures, each buoy marks a wreck.
   

Markings	Position		Buoy	Buoy	Observed	Buoy	Photo
On Buoy	Latitude	Longitude	Color	Type	Light Characteristic	Elevation	Number
N/A	14 00 47.66 N	083 22 37.65 W	Yellow	Spherical	No Top Mark No Light	1.5m	1
N/A	14 00 52.17 N	083 22 55.68 W	Yellow	Can	North Top Mark (Cone/Triangle) No Light	1.5m	2
	Outside of Survey Area		Structure	Structure	Observed	Light	Picture
Lighthouse	Position from Chart	Position from Chart	Color	Type	Light Characteristic	Elevation	Number
Puerto Cabezas Light	14 01 17.00 N	83 23 08.38 W	Gray	Solid Metal Housing	24 Times a Minute, Fl 2.5 second Cycle	~70m above MSL	3

11. 
    Sailing Directions and Nomenclature
    

1. 
   General: NGA PUB 148, Caribbean Sea Vol.II, 2008, has Sailing Direction coverage of the coast of Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua (pages 101-102). Geodetic locations of NAVAIDs were verified, but no other comparisons were made. See Appendix D for changes to the current Sailing Directions.
   

2. 
   Landmarks: The prominent features of the port of Puerto Cabezas include the pier, a cellular phone tower, and a light tower. Piers and NAVAIDs were positioned using NAVCOM SF2040G receiver with the exception of the Cellular Tower. Access to the tower was restricted by armed guard and walls. See Appendix D.
   

3. 
   Anchorage and Moorings: There were no mooring buoys but the typical mooring area for fishing vessels are to the East and South of the pier. Descriptions and photographs are presented in Appendix D.
   

12. 
    Seabed Topography and Bottom Samples
    

1. 
   Seabed topography: The majority of the survey area is a flat sand/mud bottom with some rock outcroppings.
   

2. 
   Seabed Samples: Bottom samples were collected using a Ponar hinged bottom grab deployed and retrieved by hand. A total of 12 samples were collected throughout the survey area. Location and summary of bottom sediment collection can be seen in Appendix E. Seabed samples were turned over to Naval Oceanographic Geology Lab for analysis and categorization results of that Analysis can be seen in Appendix E.
   

13. 
    Coastline, Topography, Conspicuous Objects
    

1. 
   Coastline Positioning: GPS points were taken along the shoreline with the NAVCOM SF2040G receiver and used to verify DNC and chart difference. The shoreline was ingested into HYPACK 6.2b and compared to DNC. Variations between the two shorelines were less than 14 meters, and are thought to be the cause of new post Hurricane construction.
   

2. 
   Beach Morphology: Beach height, including observations of significant foreshore erosion and accretion, was not observed by the survey team.
   

3. 
   Man Made Facilities: The pier represents the most significant Man Made structure in the area; however, Cell Phone Towers are also visible as are village and warehouse structures (skeletons). See Appendix D.
   

14. 
    Ancillary Observations
    

1. 
   Meteorological Data: See Appendix B.
   

15. 
    Summary
    

1. 
   Summary: Survey 09NU01 was conducted to fulfill the USNAVSOUTH hydrographic requirement and support Theater Security Cooperation objectives. The products generated from this survey will support the safe navigation of ships into and out of the harbor and anchorage of Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua. The data collected by the team meets IHO Order 1a standards for horizontal and vertical accuracies defined by the IHO S-44, Edition 5 Publication.
   

2. 
   Hydrographers Recommendation: No further Singlebeam Echosounder and Side Scan Sonar survey of the Port of Cabezas and Approach is required. However, if a new pier is constructed (proposed for 2014) then a resurvey using Multi-beam Echosounder should be considered to compliment the new construction.