SeaScribe – a modern offshore survey data collection tool

Offshore surveys for wildlife, including seabirds, marine mammals, and sea turtles, are necessary to collect baseline and project-specific data for offshore development. We created a modern survey application designed for Android and iOS platforms, such as tablets and smartphones, to leverage the power and ubiquity of these devices. This application, SeaScribe, should greatly improve data standardization and work flow, reduce data entry errors, and decrease time from raw data output to finalized dataset for analysis.

This application is freely available to regulators, developers, and the public alike.

NEW VERSION: 1.3.6

SeaScribe, the data collection tool for offshore wildlife surveys has been updated to take advantage of the latest Apple and Android devices on the market as well as fix outstanding errors and implement a few requested improvements. Importantly in this update, GPS locations are now successfully being recorded by Apple devices. Please continue to submit any issues or requests for improvements to BOEM at boemseascribe@boem.gov.

About SeaScribe

SeaScribe is a data collection tool for offshore wildlife surveyors specifically designed to make surveying efficient and to standardize data entry and output. It provides an easy-to-use, intuitive application for the collection of wildlife survey data including geo-referenced effort and observation data. This application captures environmental conditions and behavioral information alongside details of each geo-referenced wildlife observation using internal or external GPS function.

SeaScribe features efficient data entry screens with core data fields and the ability to create and use customized data fields. Digital photographic images and audio clips from onboard cameras and microphones can be tagged to specific observations and locations. Data can be exported in JSON or comma separated value (CSV) file format and submitted along with tagged image or audio clips via email or Dropbox. A reporting tool is also available for summarizing survey data by transect or survey and is available for screen view and exporting.

SeaScribe is freely available through the iTunes app store and Google Play.

Features

Highlighted featurs of SeaScribe include:

  • Collect geo-referenced observation and effort data for wildlife surveys
  • Dynamic mapping of transect/track and current survey observations with the ability to cache map background for use offline
  • Data viewable and editable while actively collecting data
  • Ability to develop and retain survey protocols
  • Ability to add, delete, or customize data fields
  • Export data as JSON and CSV files using email or Dropbox

User Manual & System Requirments and Suggestions

Download the full SeaScribe User Manual.

System Requirements and Suggestions

Operating System: SeaScribe runs on smartphones or tablets running Android version 6 and up (Android version 7 recommended) and iOS version 10 and up. While future OS versions may be compatible with SeaScribe, we make no guarantee that it will do so.

Screen Size: There is no minimum size allowed for use, however, we suggest use of a screen size no smaller than 7”. The application was optimized for a 10” screen and we recommend this sized tablet for optimal usability of the application.

GPS: Devices must have a built-in GPS or be able to obtain location services through an attached GPS via Bluetooth or some other method. Several external GPS units have been tested successfully to work with SeaScribe including Garmin GLO and Bad Elf GPS Pro external Bluetooth GPS receivers. External units give the user the best possible chance of getting good GPS signal as these devices can be placed away from the device where signal may be stronger. Consult the device manufacturing information for more details.

SeaScribe was developed by Tilson Technology Management.

The development of SeaScribe was funded by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.