Protecting the Unseen: Non-Invasive Seabed and Coral Reef Mapping with RIEGL Aerial Bathymetric LiDAR
AB Surveying & Development, a leading surveying solutions firm in the Philippines, has made a significant advancement in marine surveying by adopting the RIEGL VQ-840-G system. This world-class survey-grade LiDAR scanner is renowned for its precision and non-invasive capabilities. The cutting-edge technology captures data with a nearly elliptical scan pattern, providing comprehensive and detailed views of reefs, sandbars, riverbeds, and coastal terrain—all while ensuring marine life remains undisturbed.
“It is not surprising that, one of the pioneers using RIEGL Airborne sensors on manned aircraft in Southeast Asia, has also become a pioneer using and demonstrating the capabilities of Airborne Laser Bathymetry. And it is also not surprising that this company is from the Philippines. Supported by our regional partners GPS Lands Malaysia since the acquisition of the first airborne systems, they have been able to break new grounds in the use of this technology which, only a few years ago was unimaginable”, said Marcos Garcia, Managing Director of RIEGL Asia Pacific.
As the need to explore and develop marine areas grows—from offshore wind farms and underwater infrastructure to coral reef conservation and environmental research, the demand for responsible exploration of ocean environments has never been greater. The pressure to balance progress with preservation is more intense than ever. Before any construction or protection efforts can commence, understanding what lies beneath is crucial. This begins with collecting precise, reliable data while minimizing disruption to the ecosystems we aim to preserve.
Bathymetric surveying has traditionally relied on boats and sonar equipment to collect seabed data. While effective in deep waters, this method poses risks in shallow zones, potentially damaging delicate coral reefs and sensitive habitats that have taken decades to form. Until recently, there was no practical way to survey shallow marine areas without causing some level of impact.
A Smarter, Non-Invasive Approach
Aerial Bathymetric LiDAR. This specialized remote sensing technology, similar in principle to topographic LiDAR, is designed specifically to map underwater terrain from the air. Mounted on a manned or even unmanned aircraft, it uses green laser light, that can penetrate shallow water and reflect off the seabed to produce detailed, high-resolution data. This allows for the generation of 3D models of underwater features without ever making contact with the water. It’s fast, precise, and most importantly, non-invasive.
The adoption of the RIEGL VQ-840-G system by AB Surveying & Development marks a significant step forward in marine surveying, ensuring that exploration and development can proceed responsibly and sustainably.
“We don’t just survey coastlines—we reveal the unseen and protect what matters most,” Denise Botor, Sales & Marketing Director for AB Surveying & Development. “Because when we see better, we build better.”
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