Since the SeaBat multibeam system was introduced 5 years ago the number of multibeam applications have grown very quickly Now it is no longer a question whether multibeam technology should be used, it is only a question of when and how it should be applied to get the best productivity
However to secure an investment for the next 10 years, without knowing about all possible future applications, it is important to have true equipment flexibility and standardized top side units which are independent of operating frequency, type of sonar head & beam geometry
This is now achieved with a new flexible concept which allows the use of the same top side unit for all 12 kHz, 20 kHz, 60 kHz, 120 kHz, 240 kHz and 455 kHz SeaBat multibeam systems
This provides perfect flexibility for ship of opportunity operation in deep and shallow water and ROV operation and minimizes mobilization time and cost for individual training and service
The SeaBat 9001 introduced a new era in narrow 15 deg beam high resolution multibeam echo sounding 5 years ago A new era is just about to begin with a new concept and philosophy for multibeam systems
This will be an era of applications flexibility, high performance productivity and Standardization
The SeaBat technology has in the last 4 years been successfully applied to a number of new applications which were not possible before
About the most challenging type of survey is that of breakwaters where the outer beams of the multibeam system are horizontal and shooting to the water edge The survey is conducted parallel to the breakwater and the cross section, or fan, of beam is digitizing the breakwater from the water line all the way out to the virgin seabed in front of the breakwater at 30 times a second Survey speed is typically 3 to 4 knots
Even the most complicated rubble mould breakwaters can be surveyed and documented Narrow beams of not more than 1 5 deg are essential for a good result A similar approach is applied for inspection of key walls in harbours and for scour investigation and inspection of caissons on bridges By mounting the SeaBat on an ROV it is possible to survey close to the seabed, independant of water depth, and get high resolution mapping information of complicated seabeds
A unique feature of the Seal at is that it can optionally, at the flick of a button be turned into a real time front looking sonar for relocation of objects or obstacles on the seabed Relocation of objects for salvage is a typical application
Seaat multibeam systems have proved how berthing areas in harbours can be surveyed, even if ships are in the berthing areas The survey is done parallel to the ships and done directly under the ships hulls
