Access the document: GEBCO Guidance for Multibeam Transit Mapping - recently published in the Ocean Best Practices repository.
https://repository.oceanbestpractices.org/items/b2acc60a-fb24-4aae-9941-e5aa65c35077
Transit mapping using multibeam echosounders (MBES) provides an efficient means of expanding seafloor mapping coverage by collecting bathymetric data during vessel transits between ports and operational areas.
This document provides practical guidance for vessel operators, data managers, and end users on the acquisition, documentation, management, and contribution of transit mapping data to maximize its long-term value for science, navigation, and global mapping initiatives. Emphasis is placed on the collection and sharing of bathymetric and ancillary data, particularly in areas beyond national jurisdiction.
By promoting consistent transit mapping practices, it aims to increase contributions of opportunistically collected bathymetric data to public repositories and support global efforts to improve knowledge of the seafloor.
This document is one of the outcomes of the GEBCO technical priorities that emerged from the community workshops held in 2023. It is intended to support broader and more consistent acquisition of multibeam bathymetry data during vessel transits, particularly in areas beyond national jurisdiction where new data can make an important contribution to the GEBCO Grid.