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Peer-Reviewed Articles

Vol. 32 No. 1 (2026)

Satellite-derived bathymetry and the CHS iterative process: operational challenges with accuracy assessment

Submitted
June 11, 2026
Published
2026-06-12

Abstract

The Canadian Hydrographic Service (CHS) uses several satellite derived products to enhance navigational safety, with Satellite-Derived Bathymetry (SDB) representing a key remote-sensing product. At the CHS, SDB supports mission planning through an iterative process in which preliminary models are developed to guide data acquisition and ensure crew safety, then refined with the collected survey data. Through successive iterations, refined SDB models demonstrate improvements in global performance metrics while extending model confidence across previously unsurveyed regions. Understanding the precision of SDB techniques, along with the accuracy and uncertainty of the resulting products, is essential for defining appropriate and responsible use of SDB in nautical products.