The Challenge
Beach profile surveys along the Texas coast faced challenges due to the low tide range, unpredictable wind conditions, and limitations of existing technologies, leading to slow, costly surveys with frequent accidents and data quality issues.
The Solution
TBS designed and developed a GPS-RTK surf zone sled that balanced hydrodynamic forces and utilized variable ballast for stability, allowing it to be safely pulled by a personal watercraft. This innovation exceeded expectations by delivering high-quality data within a single "weather window" and capturing 90% of the Texas coast market for beach profile surveys. The sled has remained in successful operation for over 15 years, reducing client costs, increasing profitability, and establishing beach profile surveys as a key service for the local office.