Uncharted waters

摘要

Gathering hydrographic data is expensive, time-consuming and resource intensive. But it is also absolutely vital. It is often stated that we have better maps of the surface of the Moon or of Mars than we do charts of the sea and ocean bed. Worldwide the number of government-owned survey vessels has declined by more than one-third in the last 30 years. Contract surveys, improved equipment capability and other options have not filled the gap. Quality and coverage of hydrographic surveys require significant improvement.