Demonstration of Z-Boat 1800SS with Sidescan Sonar

In partnership with Benelux representative Geometius, Oceanscience conducted a demonstration of the Z-Boat 1800 equipped with sidescan sonar for bottom imaging applications. With the Tritech StarFish 1000kHz high-resolution sidescan sonar attached to the Z-Boat hull, a special data telemetry module allows real time sidescan images of the bottom to be viewed on the shore laptop.

This capability has potential for rapid response surveying, allowing the operator to steer the boat around the search area and quickly detect targets of interest. In a search and recovery situation, dive team members can then be directed to the object without having to conduct a "blind" search. The sidescan offers great potential for Search and Recovery/Rescue (SAR).

For fast search and recovery or hydrographic survey applications the Oceanscience Z-Boat 1800SS is designed to accommodate the latest Tritech StarFish sidescan sonar systems. With a customised towfish hull mount and high-power radio system to transmit sidescan imagery data to the shore, the Z-Boat 1800SS offers a remotely operated bottom imaging system. The Z-Boat 1800SS can be supplied with side scan only, or add a singlebeam echosounder to make up a complete hydrographic survey package.

The high-resolution StarFish sidescan sonar brings extreme image definition and target detection to the Z-Boat 1800SS system. Based on the  450F design, the StarFish 990F uses high-frequency 1MHz acoustic 'chirped' pulses with a 0.3° horizontal beam width to produce the most defined and clear images from any StarFish system. With a 35m range capability on each channel (giving 70m total swathe coverage), the StarFish 990F is the tool for high-resolution surveys in ports & harbours, academic research, inland waterways such as rivers and canals, and excels when used for SAR operations.