UNH Research Facilities

The University of New Hampshire’s Center for Coastal Mapping/Joint Hydrographic Center is dedicated to training future ocean mappers and hydrographers, and to creating tools to revolutionize each field. The research done by this institution includes improving sensors made to map large bodies of water for further accuracy, working on ocean mapping in 3D and 4D, and in-depth studies of coastal processes. In order to further the extent of the research performed, of course, the UNH has provided this Center with four kinds of incredible research facilities. The categories of facilities include Research Vessels, Test Tanks, Labs and Workspaces, and a Telepresence Console.

The Center’s research vessels are comprised of three boats and an onboard navigation system. The R/V Coastal Surveyor is built specifically for coastal multibeam hydrography . It travels around to collect sonar data from the water, which is very important in the Center’s research. The R/V Cocheco is owned by the NOAA and has the very different function of towing materials such as sidescan and cameras. The Center’s R/H Savabba is a different kind of vessel altogether. This crafty piece of technology is a hovercraft whose main purpose is to profile shallow and deep layers of arctic water.

The Center’s Test Tanks are comprised of an engineering tank and a wave tank. The engineering tank is for fresh water that is constantly filtered, and can hold almost 400,000 gallons. It is used for research, machine tests, and classes. The wave tank, on the other hand, is a somewhat smaller space with wave-maker software that helps test instrumentation.

As far as Labs and Workspaces go, the Center has some of the best equipment in the research field. There is a library with thousands of books and journals on ocean mapping and hydrography. There also exists state of the art computer labs and electronic labs, with a large number of equipment and tools. The High Bay facility has multiple work bays, and also holds the Center’s two test tanks. The machine shop is another large space filled to the brim with state of the art equipment, and the Data Visualization Research Lab is most focused on 3D simulations.

Finally, the Center’s Telepresence Console is one of several spread out across the United States. It is essential to remote research, as well as to the ability to collaborate with other researchers.

For more information on the University of New Hampshire’s Center for Coastal Mapping/Joint Hydrographic Center, check out http://ccom.unh.edu/.