Fugro is taking on a larger role in the Florida Seafloor Mapping Initiative (FSMI), a significant project led by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) aimed at mapping the state’s seafloor to enhance coastal resilience, infrastructure planning, and environmental protection. Following their previous contribution of 14,000 sq. km of airborne lidar data to the FSMI, Fugro is now embarking on vessel-based surveys across 42,000 square kilometers offshore Florida.

This extensive new data acquisition campaign spans five of the six Florida DEP program regions, covering the entire Atlantic Coast, the Florida Keys, and parts of the Gulf Coast. The project, which began in late 2024 with a single survey vessel, has quickly expanded into a multi-vessel operation. Fugro is efficiently managing field activities using their innovative VirGeo platform, providing real-time project tracking and quality control information to both Fugro and Florida DEP.

The recent impacts of the 2024 hurricane season have underscored the urgent need for proactive coastal planning in Florida. Through partnerships with organizations like Fugro, equipped with extensive mapping capabilities, the FSMI is poised to deliver crucial data for adapting to Florida’s changing coastline and protecting its communities and economy.

Fugro is spearheading 65% of the vessel-based program for the FSMI. Data collection is anticipated to conclude by late 2025, with final deliverables expected in 2026.