The ReefScan Transom is designed to emulate manta tow surveys which involve towing a trained observer at a constant speed behind a small boat to make a visual assessment of the reef and record these data.
ReefScan comprises a high-resolution optical imaging system and artificial intelligence (AI) computing capabilities mounted on a crewed or autonomous surface vessel.
It is designed to be as unobtrusive as possible, collecting data while other activities are underway.
It is suitable for broadscale benthic monitoring in both shallow and deep water such as surveys of coral reefs, crown-of-thorns starfish and seagrass and can be done at night.
The ReefScan system uses a single architecture to support a range of single, stereo, and multi-camera deployments that can be tailored to the question being addressed. Single or stereo pole cameras can be positioned at depth to collect imagery down to 10-12m while a boom configuration with multiple cameras is highly efficient for shallow reef surveys.
Photos can be geotagged into a single, large mosaic image for use in GIS platforms, creating a powerful, high-res record of reef condition for future comparison.
The user-friendly system is designed to empower new groups of people to collect and share marine monitoring data and reduces the need to put snorkellers in the water, an issue where there are marine dangers and other safety issues.
