In addition to collecting depths, the RAINIER conducts limited shoreline verification. Shoreline verification involves ensuring shoreline is depicted accurately on nautical charts and locating and describing features offshore or below Mean Lower Low Water. This includes items such as reefs, rocks, ledges, wrecks, and cultural features.

The RAINIER performs "near shore" verification during low tide using singlebeam launches and a skiff. The launches drive along the shoreline and verify existing features. Positions are taken on new features by the launches or skiff. These features are described using notes, sketches, and digital photographs. Other features, whichmay not be significant to mariners, but may be of interest to scientists (such as island topography or location of eel grass) are also noted.

If a charted feature is not found, a method of disproving its existence is conducted. This involves searching for the item through singlebeam/multibeam acquisition or diver investigation.

If a higher level of positioning accuracy is desired for a new significant feature (i.e. a new pier), a static survey position is obtained. A static survey is conducted by placing an Ashtech Z-FX receiver atop the feature to determine its position.

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ST Campbell finds a creative way to get close for the most accurate shoreline data.

Aids to navigation and inshore structures are important to shoreline verification.

Crew collecting positional data to add piers to charts.