SeaBat Multibeam echosounders are becoming essential equipment for port survey activity, says John Fraser, business development manager at Reson Offshore.
Two UK ports, London and Bristol, have purchased multibeam echosounders to provide hydrographic charting, object detection and engineering survey capability.
Fraser says the systems have proven exceptional hydrographic bathymetric and imagery data in the extremely testing port environment of strong currents and high turbidity within fresh water, estuary, channel and dock areas.
In addition to complying with the 100% seabed coverage recommended by the Port Marine Safety Code, the SeaBat is used to carry out routine collection of data for quay wall, suspended jetties and lock wall inspections. It also provides the port with information to enhance its dredge monitoring operations.
The system will detail known wrecks and obstructions within the port limits that were previously only wireswept, which can now be viewed and visualised in 3D.
It can survey quay walls for damage or engineering purposes and is useful for sunken object detection such as old cars, etc.
