For typical beach surveys, USGS scientists drive an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) like the one shown here, equpped with precision GPS that collects location and elevation data. Driving along features such as high-water marks, and driving a grid pattern spaced by about 30 meters, enable the collection of a complete 3D representation of the beach surface.
Learn about the USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center Marine Facility, or MarFac
Equipment
Equipment
Learn about our engineering, design, mechanical, and technical capabilities, and the various field equipment we use on land and beaches, off of boats in the nearshore environment and shallow waters, and off of large ships in deeper waters.
Vessels
Vessels
Learn about the different types of vessels we use in and around rivers, bays, coastal areas, and the deep ocean.
Our Team
Our Team
Meet our team of field specialists at MarFac, who run the gamut from coastal and marine field equipment designers to engineers, boat operators, and mechanics.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
MarFac is the operational arm of PCMSC. MarFac staff provide engineering, mechanical, and electronics expertise for field operations along the coast, in the nearshore environment, and in the deeper waters of the ocean.
Shipping/Freight Address:
USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center Marine Facility
2831 Mission St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Learn more about MarFac.
PCMSC MarFac Field Equipment and Capabilities
Learn about the USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center Marine Facility’s vast array of field equipment, sampling devices, and mapping systems, and our capabilities. Our engineers, designers, mechanics, and technicians have also designed and developed some of the specialized field equipment we use in field operations in the nearshore, in the deep sea, and on land.
PCMSC MarFac Team
Below is the list of our fieldwork specialists at PCMSC's Marine Facility, or MarFac.
PCMSC MarFac Vessels
The USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center uses a wide variety of vessels, from kayaks to open-ocean ships, to conduct fieldwork. Most vessels are managed by our Marine Facility, or MarFac.
Below are multimedia items associated with Marfac
PWC and ATV for beach surveys
For typical beach surveys, USGS scientists drive an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) like the one shown here, equpped with precision GPS that collects location and elevation data. Driving along features such as high-water marks, and driving a grid pattern spaced by about 30 meters, enable the collection of a complete 3D representation of the beach surface.
Beach survey on personal watercraft
Two personal watercraft operators from the USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center in Santa Cruz, California, navigate their personal watercraft (PWC) in the shallow nearshore region in Moss Landing near Elkhorn Slough. The PWCs are set up with precision GPS and echosounder systems in order to create detailed bathymetric maps (depth).
Two personal watercraft operators from the USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center in Santa Cruz, California, navigate their personal watercraft (PWC) in the shallow nearshore region in Moss Landing near Elkhorn Slough. The PWCs are set up with precision GPS and echosounder systems in order to create detailed bathymetric maps (depth).
Nearshore survey of San Ysidro Creek
Two USGS scientists operate personal watercraft equipped with sonar and GPS along the beachfront off San Ysidro Creek, near Fernald Point in Montecito, California. They will use the data collected to create bathymetric (depth) maps.
Two USGS scientists operate personal watercraft equipped with sonar and GPS along the beachfront off San Ysidro Creek, near Fernald Point in Montecito, California. They will use the data collected to create bathymetric (depth) maps.
Beach-monitoring video cameras atop hotel in Santa Cruz, California
USGS ocean engineer Gerry Hatcher (left) and USGS postdoctoral oceanographer Shawn Harrison make adjustments to a computer controlling two video cameras on the roof of the Dream Inn, a 10-story hotel overlooking Monterey Bay in Santa Cruz, California. One camera looks eastward over Santa Cruz Main Beach and boardwalk, and the other southward over Cowells Beach.
USGS ocean engineer Gerry Hatcher (left) and USGS postdoctoral oceanographer Shawn Harrison make adjustments to a computer controlling two video cameras on the roof of the Dream Inn, a 10-story hotel overlooking Monterey Bay in Santa Cruz, California. One camera looks eastward over Santa Cruz Main Beach and boardwalk, and the other southward over Cowells Beach.
Hatching an Engineer
What does it take to become an ocean engineer? Here is the path that USGS Gerry Hatcher took.
What does it take to become an ocean engineer? Here is the path that USGS Gerry Hatcher took.
Sonar-equipped personal watercraft mapping bathymetry.
A sonar-equipped personal watercraft mapping the bathymetry underwater near Santa Cruz, Calif.
A sonar-equipped personal watercraft mapping the bathymetry underwater near Santa Cruz, Calif.
Gerry Hatcher and Camera System
USGS ocean engineer Gerry Hatcher with the camera system he helped create for recording the precise time and geographic location of each air photo it takes. The system is mounted in the cargo compartment of a Cessna 182R airplane and takes photos through a window cut into a removable cargo door (right).
USGS ocean engineer Gerry Hatcher with the camera system he helped create for recording the precise time and geographic location of each air photo it takes. The system is mounted in the cargo compartment of a Cessna 182R airplane and takes photos through a window cut into a removable cargo door (right).
Collecting Bathymetric Data
Physical scientist Jackson Currie steers a personal water craft (PWC) equipped with GPS and echo sounder through the waves of the nearshore area of Zmudowski State Beach in Moss Landing, California.
Physical scientist Jackson Currie steers a personal water craft (PWC) equipped with GPS and echo sounder through the waves of the nearshore area of Zmudowski State Beach in Moss Landing, California.
PWC bathymetric survey
Engineering technician Tim Elfers of the USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center navigates a personal watercraft (PWC) through waves offshore of central California. The PWC is equipped with sonar and GPS in order to map the nearshore seafloor.
Engineering technician Tim Elfers of the USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center navigates a personal watercraft (PWC) through waves offshore of central California. The PWC is equipped with sonar and GPS in order to map the nearshore seafloor.
Personal watercraft equipped with sonar
USGS acting Marine Operations Manager Tim Elfers navigates a personal watercraft toward Cowell Beach in Santa Cruz to record bathymetric (depth) data along a transect.
USGS acting Marine Operations Manager Tim Elfers navigates a personal watercraft toward Cowell Beach in Santa Cruz to record bathymetric (depth) data along a transect.
PCMSC research vessel Parke Snavely
The USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, located in Santa Cruz, California, owns and operates the research vessel R/V Parke Snavely to collect data and run surveys.
The USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, located in Santa Cruz, California, owns and operates the research vessel R/V Parke Snavely to collect data and run surveys.
PCMSC research vessel Parke Snavely on Nisqually Reach
USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center’s research vessel R/V Parke Snavely motors on the Nisqually Reach of Puget Sound.
USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center’s research vessel R/V Parke Snavely motors on the Nisqually Reach of Puget Sound.
Collecting bathymetry on R/V Parke Snavely
Eric Grossman and Rob Wyland reviewing bathymetry data as it's being collected, on R/V Parke Snavely.
Eric Grossman and Rob Wyland reviewing bathymetry data as it's being collected, on R/V Parke Snavely.
Collecting Bathymetric Data in San Francisco Bay
USGS scientists Patrick Barnard (left) and Jeff Hansen navigate personal watercraft equipped with GPS and echo sounders through the waters of San Francisco Bay. They are collecting bathymetric, or depth, information in order to create maps of the bottom of the Bay.
USGS scientists Patrick Barnard (left) and Jeff Hansen navigate personal watercraft equipped with GPS and echo sounders through the waters of San Francisco Bay. They are collecting bathymetric, or depth, information in order to create maps of the bottom of the Bay.
ATV with GPS
Jeff Hansen on an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) at Ocean Beach, San Francisco, in 2006. The ATV is equipped with instrumentation which records beach topography.
Jeff Hansen on an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) at Ocean Beach, San Francisco, in 2006. The ATV is equipped with instrumentation which records beach topography.
Personal watercraft equipped with GPS and sonar
Personal watercraft equipped with GPS and sonar (echo sounder) is used to collect detailed, nearshore bathymetry (depth) information.
Personal watercraft equipped with GPS and sonar (echo sounder) is used to collect detailed, nearshore bathymetry (depth) information.
Learn about the USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center Marine Facility, or MarFac
Equipment
Equipment
Learn about our engineering, design, mechanical, and technical capabilities, and the various field equipment we use on land and beaches, off of boats in the nearshore environment and shallow waters, and off of large ships in deeper waters.
Vessels
Vessels
Learn about the different types of vessels we use in and around rivers, bays, coastal areas, and the deep ocean.
Our Team
Our Team
Meet our team of field specialists at MarFac, who run the gamut from coastal and marine field equipment designers to engineers, boat operators, and mechanics.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
MarFac is the operational arm of PCMSC. MarFac staff provide engineering, mechanical, and electronics expertise for field operations along the coast, in the nearshore environment, and in the deeper waters of the ocean.
Shipping/Freight Address:
USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center Marine Facility
2831 Mission St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Learn more about MarFac.
PCMSC MarFac Field Equipment and Capabilities
Learn about the USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center Marine Facility’s vast array of field equipment, sampling devices, and mapping systems, and our capabilities. Our engineers, designers, mechanics, and technicians have also designed and developed some of the specialized field equipment we use in field operations in the nearshore, in the deep sea, and on land.
PCMSC MarFac Team
Below is the list of our fieldwork specialists at PCMSC's Marine Facility, or MarFac.
PCMSC MarFac Vessels
The USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center uses a wide variety of vessels, from kayaks to open-ocean ships, to conduct fieldwork. Most vessels are managed by our Marine Facility, or MarFac.
Below are multimedia items associated with Marfac
PWC and ATV for beach surveys
For typical beach surveys, USGS scientists drive an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) like the one shown here, equpped with precision GPS that collects location and elevation data. Driving along features such as high-water marks, and driving a grid pattern spaced by about 30 meters, enable the collection of a complete 3D representation of the beach surface.
For typical beach surveys, USGS scientists drive an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) like the one shown here, equpped with precision GPS that collects location and elevation data. Driving along features such as high-water marks, and driving a grid pattern spaced by about 30 meters, enable the collection of a complete 3D representation of the beach surface.
Beach survey on personal watercraft
Two personal watercraft operators from the USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center in Santa Cruz, California, navigate their personal watercraft (PWC) in the shallow nearshore region in Moss Landing near Elkhorn Slough. The PWCs are set up with precision GPS and echosounder systems in order to create detailed bathymetric maps (depth).
Two personal watercraft operators from the USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center in Santa Cruz, California, navigate their personal watercraft (PWC) in the shallow nearshore region in Moss Landing near Elkhorn Slough. The PWCs are set up with precision GPS and echosounder systems in order to create detailed bathymetric maps (depth).
Nearshore survey of San Ysidro Creek
Two USGS scientists operate personal watercraft equipped with sonar and GPS along the beachfront off San Ysidro Creek, near Fernald Point in Montecito, California. They will use the data collected to create bathymetric (depth) maps.
Two USGS scientists operate personal watercraft equipped with sonar and GPS along the beachfront off San Ysidro Creek, near Fernald Point in Montecito, California. They will use the data collected to create bathymetric (depth) maps.
Beach-monitoring video cameras atop hotel in Santa Cruz, California
USGS ocean engineer Gerry Hatcher (left) and USGS postdoctoral oceanographer Shawn Harrison make adjustments to a computer controlling two video cameras on the roof of the Dream Inn, a 10-story hotel overlooking Monterey Bay in Santa Cruz, California. One camera looks eastward over Santa Cruz Main Beach and boardwalk, and the other southward over Cowells Beach.
USGS ocean engineer Gerry Hatcher (left) and USGS postdoctoral oceanographer Shawn Harrison make adjustments to a computer controlling two video cameras on the roof of the Dream Inn, a 10-story hotel overlooking Monterey Bay in Santa Cruz, California. One camera looks eastward over Santa Cruz Main Beach and boardwalk, and the other southward over Cowells Beach.
Hatching an Engineer
What does it take to become an ocean engineer? Here is the path that USGS Gerry Hatcher took.
What does it take to become an ocean engineer? Here is the path that USGS Gerry Hatcher took.
Sonar-equipped personal watercraft mapping bathymetry.
A sonar-equipped personal watercraft mapping the bathymetry underwater near Santa Cruz, Calif.
A sonar-equipped personal watercraft mapping the bathymetry underwater near Santa Cruz, Calif.
Gerry Hatcher and Camera System
USGS ocean engineer Gerry Hatcher with the camera system he helped create for recording the precise time and geographic location of each air photo it takes. The system is mounted in the cargo compartment of a Cessna 182R airplane and takes photos through a window cut into a removable cargo door (right).
USGS ocean engineer Gerry Hatcher with the camera system he helped create for recording the precise time and geographic location of each air photo it takes. The system is mounted in the cargo compartment of a Cessna 182R airplane and takes photos through a window cut into a removable cargo door (right).
Collecting Bathymetric Data
Physical scientist Jackson Currie steers a personal water craft (PWC) equipped with GPS and echo sounder through the waves of the nearshore area of Zmudowski State Beach in Moss Landing, California.
Physical scientist Jackson Currie steers a personal water craft (PWC) equipped with GPS and echo sounder through the waves of the nearshore area of Zmudowski State Beach in Moss Landing, California.
PWC bathymetric survey
Engineering technician Tim Elfers of the USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center navigates a personal watercraft (PWC) through waves offshore of central California. The PWC is equipped with sonar and GPS in order to map the nearshore seafloor.
Engineering technician Tim Elfers of the USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center navigates a personal watercraft (PWC) through waves offshore of central California. The PWC is equipped with sonar and GPS in order to map the nearshore seafloor.
Personal watercraft equipped with sonar
USGS acting Marine Operations Manager Tim Elfers navigates a personal watercraft toward Cowell Beach in Santa Cruz to record bathymetric (depth) data along a transect.
USGS acting Marine Operations Manager Tim Elfers navigates a personal watercraft toward Cowell Beach in Santa Cruz to record bathymetric (depth) data along a transect.
PCMSC research vessel Parke Snavely
The USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, located in Santa Cruz, California, owns and operates the research vessel R/V Parke Snavely to collect data and run surveys.
The USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, located in Santa Cruz, California, owns and operates the research vessel R/V Parke Snavely to collect data and run surveys.
PCMSC research vessel Parke Snavely on Nisqually Reach
USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center’s research vessel R/V Parke Snavely motors on the Nisqually Reach of Puget Sound.
USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center’s research vessel R/V Parke Snavely motors on the Nisqually Reach of Puget Sound.
Collecting bathymetry on R/V Parke Snavely
Eric Grossman and Rob Wyland reviewing bathymetry data as it's being collected, on R/V Parke Snavely.
Eric Grossman and Rob Wyland reviewing bathymetry data as it's being collected, on R/V Parke Snavely.
Collecting Bathymetric Data in San Francisco Bay
USGS scientists Patrick Barnard (left) and Jeff Hansen navigate personal watercraft equipped with GPS and echo sounders through the waters of San Francisco Bay. They are collecting bathymetric, or depth, information in order to create maps of the bottom of the Bay.
USGS scientists Patrick Barnard (left) and Jeff Hansen navigate personal watercraft equipped with GPS and echo sounders through the waters of San Francisco Bay. They are collecting bathymetric, or depth, information in order to create maps of the bottom of the Bay.
ATV with GPS
Jeff Hansen on an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) at Ocean Beach, San Francisco, in 2006. The ATV is equipped with instrumentation which records beach topography.
Jeff Hansen on an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) at Ocean Beach, San Francisco, in 2006. The ATV is equipped with instrumentation which records beach topography.
Personal watercraft equipped with GPS and sonar
Personal watercraft equipped with GPS and sonar (echo sounder) is used to collect detailed, nearshore bathymetry (depth) information.
Personal watercraft equipped with GPS and sonar (echo sounder) is used to collect detailed, nearshore bathymetry (depth) information.