Saildrone & Woolpert Deploy Autonomous Technology to Map the Mariana Trench

Saildrone and Woolpert have partnered to acquire and process critical bathymetric survey data in the Mariana Trench and surrounding island chain for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

This mission supports the National Strategy for Mapping, Exploring, and Characterizing the United States Exclusive Economic Zone and the Seabed 2030 initiative, which seeks to compile a complete map of the global ocean floor. The Mariana region is a top priority for seafloor mapping because its immense depths — reaching 10,935 meters at Challenger Deep — have historically made it challenging to obtain high-quality data. Accurate seafloor information in this area is foundational for understanding extreme ocean environments, marine biodiversity, and the tectonic plates that cause tsunamis and earthquakes.

To accomplish the mission, the team utilizes the Saildrone Surveyor, a 20-meter Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) designed for persistent, autonomous deep-ocean mapping. The Surveyor is equipped with the industry-leading Kongsberg EM 304 MKII deep water multibeam sonar. As the vehicle methodically surveys the 13,000-square-nautical-mile region, it relays data back to Woolpert in near-real time for processing and final delivery.

Dave Neff, Woolpert Maritime Market Director, commented, “By integrating Saildrone’s mission portal with Woolpert’s automated survey production environment, we gain real-time visibility into acquisition progress and data quality—especially in deep-water regions that were once difficult and costly to access. This collaboration shows how uncrewed systems and smart partnerships can expand what’s possible in ocean mapping.”

The high-resolution bathymetry collected underpins everything from marine habitat management and renewable energy siting to subsea cable routing and maritime navigation. The data also helps expand taxonomic reference libraries for understudied marine organisms and supports sustainable energy development within the vicinity of the Mariana Islands.

Powered by a high-efficiency diesel engine augmented by a patented wing for wind energy, the Surveyor is capable of remaining at sea for months at a time regardless of weather conditions. This autonomous approach creates new opportunities for hydrographers to contribute to data acquisition and analysis in a fully remote environment, operating 24/7 with a globally dispersed staff.

Brian Connon, Vice President of ocean mapping at Saildrone, stated, “The seafloor mapping and exploration data that the Saildrone Surveyor collects around the Mariana Islands will close critical bathymetric gaps in the United States’ Exclusive Economic Zone. The Surveyor’s ability to remain at sea for months at a time, regardless of weather conditions or sea state, makes it an ideal platform to carry out this vital work. Saildrone is proud to be working with both Woolpert and NOAA in these crucial efforts to better understand our ocean, marine resources, and ecosystem.”

Comprehensive seafloor knowledge strengthens scientific understanding and supports maritime safety and infrastructure resilience. By ensuring that critical seabed terrain is documented and accessible, the partnership demonstrates how autonomous systems are expanding the reach of hydrographers and accelerating progress toward a fully mapped ocean.