The Geotechnical Engineering and Marine Surveys (GEMS) Group have purchased an OSIL MiniBAT system to carry out sound velocity (SV) measurements at a 50 km2 site in Asia. Time was of the essence in acquiring real-time SV data and the towed system provided continuous measurement without the need to stop the vessel.
The MiniBAT was fitted with the AML Minos SVP which directly measures the ‘time-of-flight' of an acoustic ping. Its compact size is ideally suited to the highly portable MiniBAT frame. The OSIL MiniBAT FC60 is a lightweight remotely controlled instrument platform designed for use with a range of sensors.
Members of the US Geological Survey were filmed while out on the Missouri River at Williston, North Dakota, USA, performing a hydrographic survey to monitor the state of riverbed erosion. They were using a multibeam echo sounder which transmits sound energy and analyses the return signal (echo) that has bounced off the riverbed or other objects. Multibeam sonars emit sound waves from directly beneath a ship's hull to produce fan-shaped coverage of the riverbed.
