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Case history
Dredging contractor brings surveys in-house with the CEE ECHO™ and Hydromagic
ACT Marine, a New England dredging contractor, uses a CEE ECHO™ with Hydromagic for its own QC and pre-final clearance surveys. The system sets up in 20 minutes, its results match the third-party survey, and projects are accepted on the final survey without costly post cleanup.
At a glance
- Client
- Atlantic Coast Tug and Marine, LLC (ACT Marine)
- Location
- Boston, Massachusetts, USA (New England)
- Application
- In-house dredging QC and pre-final clearance surveys
- Equipment
- CEE ECHO™ single beam echo sounder
- Software
- Hydromagic
- Since
- 2024
About ACT Marine
Atlantic Coast Tug and Marine, LLC (ACT Marine) is a leading dredging contractor in New England. For marine construction and dredging contractors, precise grade control and timely verification are critical to project success and profitability.
The challenge
ACT Marine wanted to bring survey capability in-house: for real-time quality control during dredging, and for independent clearance surveys immediately before the final third-party post-dredge survey.
“We purchased the system to perform our own QC surveys and to conduct clearance surveys just before the official post-dredge survey. These interim surveys are essential for ensuring we are hitting our designed depths throughout the project, not just at the end.”
ACT Marine spokesperson
The solution
In 2024, ACT Marine invested in the CEE ECHO™ single beam echo sounder with Hydromagic survey software, a portable shallow water survey system from CEE HydroSystems.
The move to self-performed surveying was smooth. “There’s a learning ramp, but after a couple of surveys under your belt, the system and process can be easily mastered,” the ACT Marine team noted. Support from CEE HydroSystems USA has also been excellent.
ACT adapted a clamp mechanism to one of its stable workboats to limit roll and keep data collection consistent.
Set up in 20 minutes
A key advantage is portability and speed. “The system is extremely portable and efficient to set up. Within 20 minutes, we can set up the system, perform our benchmarks, and begin surveying the intended area,” the team reported.
The results
20 minto set up, benchmark and start surveying
Consistentwith the third-party survey
Acceptedon the final survey, no post cleanup
On several recent projects, ACT Marine’s in-house surveys with the CEE HydroSystems package let it clear dredge work with confidence. “Our results have been consistent with the third party survey,” the team confirmed. Projects were accepted on the final survey without costly, time-consuming post cleanup work.
The biggest benefit is to the bottom line. By closing the feedback loop between dredging and verification, ACT Marine has significantly increased its operational efficiency, with greater control, accuracy and predictability on every project.
“Our dredging efficiency has increased, reducing costs and time.”
ACT Marine survey team
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