Hydrographic survey in Cape Verde - Mindelo

The team of the Hydrographic Brigade, embarked on the NRP Admiral Gago Coutinho (GC) in the context of the Open Sea 20.2, held a Hydrographic Survey (LH) in Mindelo, island of S. Vicente.

The CG docked on January 13 in Porto Grande, Mindelo, and the team counted on two days to conduct a survey with a multi-beam system of approximately 2 km2.

In order to comply with this plan, the correct coordination of the numerous actions was essential to cover the planned area.

First, the support points (PA) installed in previous campaigns were recognised. It was found that the port was repaved and a large majority of the permanent seals on the ground disappeared.

It was necessary to maintain new BP in order to be able to check the positioning of the boat system Mergluhão, since all other PAs do not exist or are not accessible due to vessels and their moorings by the pier.

To support vessel positioning, a reference station was installed Real Time Kinematic (RTK) at the top of the jetty along with a tidal wave.

The LH in the bay of Porto Grande and interior of the port had 13h30 of survey in total of 18h40 of navigation.

The challenge of carrying out expeditionary work of this nature in such a short time was overcome due to the correct initial planning that involved the choice of the equipment and study of the site. The current and quality of the equipment used, together with the effort of a well-routine team, were the main responsible for the completion of this campaign.

Finally, a high resolution batimetric model was performed with the acquired data.

The NRP Admiral Gago Coutinho will then head to Santiago Island where it plans to carry out surveys along the west coast of this island.

Note: In order to contextualize the photos aggregated to this article, it is reported that all personnel on board the CG were quarantined before starting mission and performed tests on the COVID-19 at the beginning and end of quarantine. Therefore, after the absence of positive cases was confirmed, the use of a mask was relieved.