NRP Gago Coutinho from the air and a harbour survey

17 Jul 2015
NRP Gago Coutinho and support rhib aerial shot, taken by FEUP X8-03 UAV
NRP Gago Coutinho and support rhib infrared aerial shot, taken by FEUP X8-03 UAV

Sunny, but windy day. FEUP UAV team could only fly once, around 2:30pm. X8-03 flew with the IR camera and also a compact visible light camera for aerial pictures. The UAV performed rows and cross-patterns trajectories over the ship and its surrounding area. We also tested a Follow Reference type of maneuver, which makes it easier for us to follow the whale sightings coordinates (which keep changing!).

Late in the morning, the team on shore did a survey just outside the harbour close to the south pier to confirm batymetric data. Surveys done in the first months of the year by the Hydrographic Institute revealed a peak on the sea bottom in which the depth decreased from 30 meter to 15 meter (approximately).