Shipwreck Yielding US$500 Million Treasure Located
An EdgeTech 2400-DSS deep-towed side-scan sonar system, owned and operated by Odyssey Marine Exploration, was used to find a shipwreck code-named the "Black Swan" which yielded over 500,000 silver and gold coins that have been estimated to be worth around US$500 million.
The same system was used by Odyssey in 2003 to help locate the SS Republic, which produced more than US$75 million worth of coins.
The 2400-DSS utilizes digital CHIRP technology which provides higher resolution imagery than conventional analog and digital systems as well as extended range; an important factor when trying to locate a shipwreck. The 2400-DSS has a low frequency range that is 30% greater than conventional systems at the same frequency and a high frequency range that is 50% greater. Because of this CHIRP technology the system can also be towed at depths of up to 6,000 metres without degradation in the quality of data.
The EdgeTech 2400-DSS can be configured as a stand-alone side scan/sub-bottom or as a combined system. It comes available with a choice of three dual simultaneous frequency side scan sets; either 75/120 kHz, 75/410 kHz or 120/410 kHz. Additionally three frequency ranges are offered for the sub-bottom profiler; 1-6 kHz, 2-16 kHz or 4-24 kHz. The 2400-DSS can also be installed on an AUV or ROV and comes available with a multitude of additional optional sensors including magnetometer, altitude, pressure, CTD, SVP, attitude, responder or customer defined.