ICES Training Partner

Aspect Surveys 

lllllll

 

-Side-Scan Sonar Survey

 

Single Beam Bathymetry
Singlebeam Bathymetry
Multibeam Bathymetry
Multibeam Bathymetry
Side-Scan Sonar
Side-Scan Sonar
Sub-Bottom Profiling
Geophysical Survey
Magentometer Surveys
Magnetometer Survey
Diver Inspection Surveys
Diver Inspections
Marine Support Services
Marine Support Services
Survey Vessel Charter
Survey Vessel Charter

Click on the images above to view our hydrographic survey capabilities in more detail.

Side-scan sonar is used to create an image of large areas of the sea floor.

This system is used for mapping the seabed for a wide variety of purposes, including creation of nautical charts and the detection and identification of underwater objects and bathymetric features.

It is also used to conduct surveys for marine archaeology and in conjunction with seafloor samples it is able to provide an understanding of the differences in material and texture type of the seabed.

Boulders / Sand Waves

Side-Scan Sonar imagery detailing sand waves and boulders

Side-scan sonar imagery is also commonly used to detect items of debris and other obstructions on the seafloor that may be hazardous to shipping or to seafloor installations, such oil and gas pipelines, outfalls, cable routes, oil / gas platform positioning and marine industry construction works.

In addition, the status of pipelines and cables on the seafloor can be investigated using side scan sonar. Side-scan data sets are frequently acquired with bathymetric soundings and sub-bottom data, thus providing a glimpse of the surfacial topography of the seabed and are also used within dredging operations and environmental studies.
SS Breda
Outfall Diffuser
Rock Outcropping
Sunken barge located at Tobermory Bay, Mull.
Wastewater outfall & diffuser.
Sand lens & rock outcropping, Orkney Isles.

Side-scan uses a sonar device that emits fan shaped pulses down towards the seafloor across a wide angle perpendicular to the path of the sensor through the water, which may be towed from a surface vessel or mounted on a ship's hull.

The intensity of the acoustic reflections from the seafloor of this fan-shaped beam is recorded in a series of cross-track data sets.

When pieced together, in a mosaic, these data sets form an image of the sea bottom within the swath (coverage width) of the beam.

The sound frequencies used in side-scan sonar usually range from 100 to 500 kHz; where higher frequencies yield better resolution but less range.

(Image Right: Backscatter side-scan mosaic of outer harbour area)

 

Logos

© Copyright - Aspect Land & Hydrographic Surveys

Thornhouse Business Centre, Irvine, KA12 0HW