Guidelines for Vessel USBL
The publication Guidance on Vessel USBL Systems for Use in Offshore Survey and Positioning Operations (IMCA S 017) is intended for use by offshore construction, survey and inspection companies when chartering third-party vessels with USBL system(s) already installed, when commissioning new USBL installations on new-build or existing vessels, or when maintaining existing systems.
Advances in system design and sensor performance, together with high-accuracy GNSS surface positioning, have led to a significant increase in the capability, performance and accuracy of modern ultra-short baseline (USBL) acoustic positioning solutions. This has made it possible for such solutions to be used where previously more time-consuming and expensive solutions would have been employed, thus enabling marine contractors to bring additional value to their clients.
The two main applications of a USBL position system are in dynamic positioning (DP) of a vessel relative to an acoustic transponder/beacon installed at a fixed location on the seabed; and navigating an ROV, tow-fish, plough, or other subsea object, using a mobile acoustic transponder/beacon or responder.
Guidance on Vessel USBL Systems for Use in Offshore Survey and Positioning Operations discusses the issues affecting USBL system performance and describes topics associated with the installation, configuration and documentation of the systems on offshore vessels involved in subsea positioning. Illustrations aid understanding of the capability and features of these systems. Members can download the new publication from the members-only section of the website or order printed copies.
