UNDERWATER SURVEY TECHNOLOGY USING FLOATING DRONE - CORAL REEFS MONITORING IN KERAMA ISLANDS-

Abstract

 A floating drone so-called “SWANS” which can be photographed underwater and measured water depth was developed. This device was applied to coral reef monitoring. SWANS has ability to perform underwater monitoring quickly, easily and safety without diving. It can operate stably at a significant wave height of 21cm or less, while taking off, landing and moving on the sea surface. It was applied for monitoring of coral reefs in Kerama Islands, Okinawa Prefecture. The line transect survey and detail analysis of coral coverage were conducted. Moreover, data of photographs and water depth which collected by SWANS, were contributed to SfM analysis and created a 3D topographic maps and ortho image.