Page 50: of Marine Technology Magazine (November 2019)

Tech Files

New Tech: Automatic WASSP: Launching a new

Calibration of Sea State Data Multibeam Sounder

Availability of reliable, real-time ocean WASSP Multibeam launched a new surface data can improve the safety, ef? - rapid deployment multibeam sounder ciency and performance of offshore and – the W3 Rapid Deployment System marine operations, as well as coastal (RDS), designed for Navy’s, Maritime monitoring, but the quality of the data is Police and Search & Rescue organiza-

Photo: Farsounder dependent on accurate calibration. tions.

FarSounder: New 3D Forward-

Calibration of wave spectra and in- When a ? xed transducer installation

Looking Sonar tegrated wave parameters from radar- in a small vessel such as a tender isn’t

FarSounder is proud to debut a new based measurement systems has histori- always practical, the W3 RDS has been sonar and a new name for its series of cally depended upon external reference designed around a portable Carbon ? ber 3D forward-looking navigation sonars. sensors, such as wave buoys, which can Mast that includes a transducer, motion

With the company’s continued growth present a number of challenges. sensor and satellite compass. This lets and focus on research and development, Miros’ ocean surface monitoring sys- operators deploy the unit over the side or it was time to give the series a name and the transom of the vessel into the water offer more alternatives. The new name quickly and easily often in just minutes.

is the Argos series and are now 3 models Once deployed, W3 RDS can quickly in the series. The latest model the Argos and effectively pro? le the sea? oor and 350 was revealed for the ? rst time at Ft. water column in search of sunken ves-

Lauderdale International Boat Show. sels, aircraft or vehicles. Or it can be uti-

This new sonar option has all the same lized in events like cyclones, hurricanes, applications and quality found in its oth- volcanic eruptions, earthquakes or war er navigational sonars. It has been de- tems support fully automatic calibration, disasters which can alter the sea? oor in signed with a smaller and lighter trans- providing the user with high-quality such a way as to make navigation unsafe ducer and will have a 350 meter range wave and current parameters for a broad for support vessels.

of detection. It is well-suited for mid- range of radar types and measurement When in operation, W3 RDS uses a sized yachts from 18 - 40+ meters. As conditions, without the need for manual wireless link or a naval secure communi- in its other two models the Argos 1000 calibration, helping to reduce installa- cation system to send real-time sea? oor and Argos 500, the design allows for an tion and operational costs. map data back to the mothership bridge easy, ? xed installation. The Argos 350 “Imagine having purchased a leading system and display via a WASSP CDX however offers another alternative as wave measurement system, only to be display software or MaxSea navigation well. It can be connected to a hoist in a told that you need access to an addition- plotting platform - all in real-time.

10-inch diameter sea chest. al system to calibrate the one you just “The creative FarSounder team has bought,” says Miros COO Jonas Røstad. worked tirelessly to provide a smaller “The calibration process involves con- and lower-cost solution for mid-sized siderable logistics, additional costs, and vessels. This was a goal of ours for many can take weeks if not months to com- years,” FarSounder’s CEO, Cheryl M. plete, impacting your timeline and your

Zimmerman, explains. “Ultimately, we budget.” Miros’ algorithms automatical- are elated to bring our forward-looking ly calibrate for accurate measurement sonar to a wider market without com- of ocean state parameters. In fact, all promising on the quality our customers of Miros’ radar-based sensors are able have come to expect from our innova- to calibrate automatically. Local, real- tive Forward Looking Sonar systems.” time ocean surface measurements can

As the leader in 3D Forward Looking improve vessel and structure fatigue as-

Sonar technology, FarSounder has kept sessments, provide input to bridge and the yachting community safe from shal- decision-support systems, as well as to lows and in-water obstacles since 2005. marine, crane and loading operations,

In introducing the Argos 350 to this new and help to optimize fuel consumption, market, these smaller vessels can now route planning, cargo safety, passenger enjoy FarSounder’s 3D real-time soft- comfort, and coastal monitoring too.

ware and navigate with con? dence.

Photo: WASSP

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